First I want to be sure where to plug in the sata cable. The primary drive is connected to "0". The DVD is connected to "1". "2" and "3" are open. Does it matter? Since I just want to copy some files to the primary, what do I need to do in Disk Management? My computer: Dell Inspiron 660, Windows 10. Thanks in advance for your help.
Assuming it is not and external USB drive or something. It should not matter which port you plug into, especially if you're using AHCI and not the (very unlikely) old IDE mode (and even then all it would do is make it a master or slave according to the port). I'd just go with port 2, unless it's hard to reach or something. You should not have to do anything in device manager or disk management.
Basically, just shut off the PC, plug in the new drive to the SATA and a power cable (pay attention to the sideways L shape thingy in them for proper orientation). Then fire the PC back up and Windows should see the new drive and give it a letter, if it is already formatted, which I assume it is if you're trying to get files off of it.
On the off chance Windows pops up a message about "You must format this drive before use" FREEZE! DON'T do it. I have seen Windows do that thinking a formatted drive is blank for whatever reason. If you "format" it, you wipe out all data on it.
It's not showing up in "My PC" or in Disk Management. I double checked my wiring and all is correct and secure.
Did you plug in the power plug from the PSU into the back of the drive?
If so, boot into Setup (Bios) on the Main page you should see all of the drives on the computer, or it would be listed under Hard Drive Priority. If not, make sure the SATA port is enabled in the Bios. Then with the computer on, put your ear next to the HDD and hear if it is spinning. If the drive doesn't appear in the Bios, then it wont' appear anywhere else.
Here is a shot of my Disk Management. The E Drive showing is my external drive.
What Spunk said. To get into the BIOS/UEFI, it varies, but reboot and press Delete during the boot (some are F8 or others too, and some display a screen with SETUP as an option like Spunk said, you might need to consult a manual). I would just sit there tapping DELETE about every 1 second because some boards are finicky at exactly what point in the post/boot process it is pressed. Once Windows is loading, it's too late, you missed it.
In the BIOS the setting you are looking for varies as well. Something about SATA ports, AHCI configuration, etc. Careful in there, but you're looking for 4-6 SATA/Drive ports to enable, if it is just one on/off option and not one for each port, don't fool with it. If this is the issue, you'll see 0 and 1 enabled/automatic and others disabled. It may call them 1 and 2 instead of 0 and 1 like on the main board itself...because...nerds.
0,1,2,3,4,5 on the main board
1,2,3,4,5,6 in the BIOS...because @#$% is never confusing enough!
It showed up in boot manager. Got it going. Thanks guys, I appreciate it.
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