How to Install an External Laptop Drive?
Adding additional hardware and accessories to a laptop is
inexpensive offering easy storage solutions to any laptop.
Installing an external hard drive will offer extra space and easy
access. Follow these steps to assist you when installing an
external hard drive to your laptop.
▪ Step 1: Instantly install the external drive to a laptop. Most
laptops come with USB ports which offer plug-and-play instant
installing of the new equipment. Consider using a FireWire port if
your laptop has one available, this will free up a USB port.
FireWire ports offer comparable transfer rates as USB ports.
▪ Step 2: Check the manual. The external drive manufacturer
might require installation of software prior to installing the
actual external hard drive equipment. Install the software before
connecting the external drive to the port.
▪ Step 3: Check the device driver. The external drive manual
will indicate what time of driver needs to be used. Newer versions
of Windows should recognize the driver immediately, prompting to
install it if your laptop does not already have it. If the driver
isn’t automatically recognizable, keep the driver software CD’s
available. You can also download drivers off a manufacturer company
website.
▪ Step 4: Connect your power supply. Some external drives
require their own power supply. Plug the cord into the power supply
prior to turning on the external drive or plugging the drive into a
port.
▪ Step 5: Troubleshoot the external laptop drive. Usually
installing an external drive is really easy and straightforward. In
the event that windows will not detect your new external drive,
wait a few minutes to see if it eventually detects it. If windows
still does not detect the external drive, check all connections and
make sure the power button is turned on the external drive. New
hardware installation often requires the software to be installed
prior to connecting the device to your laptop; make sure you have
installed the external hard drive in this sequence. Reference the
manual if you continue to have problems, usually the problem is
easily rectified once the installer realizes which step was
missed.
Installing external accessories or hardware is extremely easy.
Referencing the external hardware manual, installing the correct
software and driver will have you using your extra space in no
time.