Connecting the Cables

Once you have your drive in place, you need to make sure the rest of your computer knows how to interface with it. This is done by SATA data and power cables.

1) Connecting the SATA data cable
The SATA data cable is a thin cable terminating on both ends in an L-shaped connector that probably came with either your drive or (more likely) your motherboard. Plug one end into an available SATA port on your motherboard, and the other end into the port on the back of the drive you just installed.

2) Connecting the SATA power cable
The SATA power cable is an obviously wired cable that comes from your power supply and ends in a thin, black plug. Just plug that into the appropriate place on the back of your drive, and it will have the power it needs to function and help alleviate your storage woes.