You may already have a hard drive that’s less than 3 years old. It can be a 3 1/2 inch hard drive  from a desktop PC or a 2 1/2 inch ex laptop one. If not, buy one. Buy a 300+ Gb one if possible, from any PC shop or from an internet computer kit company. (They cost between 50 to 100+ euros depending on capacity) The choice is between an IDE or SATA drive. My choice is for an IDE one as they are generally less problematic.

Buy a USB caddy for the appropriate type of drive; 3 1/2 or 2 1/2inch IDE or SATA. They cost about 12-20 euros

All you have to do is fit the drive inside the caddy and that’s it. (instructions are usually inside the box)

(for any further help or information, please E-mail:  information@ententecordiale-creuse.org )

Step 2: If it's an IDE drive, make sure the jumper/s set to 'SLAVE' - if it's a SATA drive you will need another SATA cable.

Step 3:  Find a spare Hard Drive compartment and slot your new hard drive into it.

Step 4 and 5: If it's an IDE drive, the cable to the PCs main hard drive should have another connector on it.

Step 6: Connect up the cable to Drive. If it's a SATA drive, plug cable into drive and spare SATA slot on the mainboard.

Step 7: Plug IDE or SATA power connector into the drive.

Step 8: Check cables are secure.

Step 9: Power on, at the same time clicking the Delete button. (Don't put your hand inside the PC!) This should bring up the BIOS menu. Click on the first/or second tab. You should see two hard drives listed, the computer has recognised your drive. If not: power off and double check all cables are secure and in the correct places. Then repeat step 9.

Step 10: Power on until your operating system boots up. If your drive is a new one it will NOT be formatted. Therefore, Windows etc will not recognise it until it has been formatted.

Step 11: Go to Control Panel (In windows). Then, Administrative Tools; then Computer management; then, Storage - Disk Management. It will show you the hard drives you have installed. Go the your new drive, (possibly drive E) Highlight it. Then go to the ACTION tab at the top of the screen. The the ALL TASKS tab. You should see a 'Format' tab. Click this and follow instructions. When you drive is formatted (after about 40 minutes depending on capacity of the drive) its up and running to receive data.

This process may vary according to your edition of Windows. The above process is usually in Vista.

Step 12. Close up your PC, and get yourself a drink!

Step 1: Open up your PC. (Make sure it is switched off and the power cable unplugged. (even if it seems as dead as a doornail!)

Step 2: Disconnect the Hard Drive from the connecting cables.

Step 3: Open up the host computer. (it must be switched off and the power cable disconnected, of course)

Step 4: If it's an IDE hard drive - find the cable to the PCs hard drive. There should be another connector on this cable.

           Look for a spare power connector. Make sure the jumper/s, on the back of the drive are set to SLAVE.

           For an SATA drive you need another SATA cable, plug this into a spare SATA socket. Then look for a spare SATA power connector.

Step 5: Connect up the drive to the host PC.

Step 6: Power up the host PC.  Go to 'My Computer' or Windows Explorer' to check if your Drive has been recognised. It may be drive E

           If it has, that's it, you can now transfer data. If not:

Step 7: Power down. Then power on, at the same time clicking the Delete button. (Don't put your hand inside the PC!) This should bring up the BIOS menu. Click on the first/or second tab. If you can see two hard drives listed, at least the computer has recognised your drive. If not:

Step 8:  Power down and disconnect the main power cable. Double check that all the cables are where they should be and are firmly in place. Power on and repeat step 7. If your drive can be seen, exit BIOS and let the PC power up. Look to see if your Operating system has recognised your drive. If not:

Your drive may be too old (over 5 years), It's totally knackered!, there is another reason or some step may have been missed. Time to E-mail for more help at information@ententecordiale-creuse.org   

OR try the external drive caddy route. If it doesn't work, at least you've got a caddy for your external drive!!