Lyjotoblog

This is starting to look like a real computer isn't it? We are approaching the home stretch so hang in there. We have to attach the drives to our motherboard and power supply next. The cables you need to attach everything should have come with either your motherboard or individual drives, depending on if you bought the retail or OEM versions. Get the cables out as you will need them to install the drives.

Connect Hard Drive Cables

1. If you bought an SATA hard drive, the cable going from the drive to the motherboard is very easy to install, as the connectors can only fit one way into the drive and motherboard connections. Connect one end to the hard drive, and the other connector to the hard drive, aligning the connectors properly. If you bought an IDE hard drive, more than likely the connectors are tabbed, and can only fit one way into the connection slots. To be sure, when connecting the IDE cable to the hard drive, you want the red stripe facing closest to the power connecter. This is also known as 'pin 1', and is always installed this way. Attach the other end of the cable to the motherboard by installing it into the slot. Make sure both connections are snug and tight. 
   
   
2. Attach the SATA power connector from the power supply to the back of the hard drive if you have this drive type, or one of the standard power connectors if you have an IDE version. (A standard power connector will be the same shape as the connection slot on your drive, long and rectangular in shape)

Connect Floppy Cables

1. You will notice two connectors on the floppy cable probably, and since we have only one floppy drive, you want to attach the connector that is after the twist on the cable. This will mean that the floppy drive will be labeled as the A: drive within your operating system. 
   
   
2. Attach the other end of the cable to the motherboard, more than likely this will only fit one way, similar to attaching the other end.
   
   
3. Use the small power connector that runs from the power supply and plug it into the back of the floppy drive. Again, this can only be connected one way.

Connect CD-Rom / DVD Drive Cables

1. As described above, on an IDE cable more than likely the connectors are tabbed, and can only fit one way into the connection slots. To be sure, when connecting the IDE cable to the hard drive, you want the red stripe facing closest to the power connecter. This is also known as 'pin 1', and is always installed this way. Attach the other end of the cable to the motherboard by installing it into the slot. Make sure both connections are snug and tight.
   
   
2. Attach a standard power connector from the power supply to the back of the drive. (A standard power connector will be the same shape as the connection slot on your drive, long and rectangular in shape)

All of our drives are now secure, connected and have a power source. We can now finishing connecting things to the outside of the case.

Next Step: Connect External Cables >