Step 4: Install the drive in a bay

In most systems, you can slide your new drive through the front panel. If you've never used the bay, you'll have to remove the panel covering it.

Take a few moments to consider drive placement before installation. Moving the old drive down a bay may make it easier to attach the correct connectors to the two drives.

Refer to your system's documentation if you have any doubt about how to install the new drive into a bay. If you'll be using a drive bay for the first time, you may have to remove panels on and behind the case's front face (the level of difficulty of this task depends on your case design). Most drives secure into a bay using four screws. In some PCs, the drive fits into a cage that you can slide out of the bay by pressing in tabs. In both of our test systems, the drives attached to metal cages via four screws. If possible, use the screws provided with your drive. You may have to remove both side panels to attach all of the screws.