2025-05-15

SATA Drive Installation in Mac OS X

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM03 mins

hard drive install Installing a SATA Drive as a Storage Unit

  1. Physically install the drive into the Mac.
  2. Connect the drive to the motherboard or SATA add-on controller card.
  3. Connect the hard drive to the power source.
  4. Double-click on the Mac OS main hard drive on the Desktop.
  5. Select Applications.
  6. Select Utilities.
  7. Select Disk Utility.
  8. Select the Erase tab.
  9. Verify that the correct hard drive is illuminated in the left column.
  10. Select Mac OS Extended partition.
  11. Click Erase. (Note: This will erase all data from the drive.)
  12. Allow time for the drive to format.
  13. Verify the drive is mounted on the Desktop.

If this SATA drive will be the bootable drive and this is a new installation, you may follow the simplified steps:

  1. Physically install the drive into the Mac.
  2. Connect the drive to the motherboard or SATA add-on controller card.
  3. Connect the hard drive to the power source.
  4. Insert the Mac OS X install CD into the CD-ROM.
  5. Power on the computer while holding down the “C” key to boot from CD.
  6. Select Installer.
  7. Select Open Disk Utility.
  8. Highlight the drive.
  9. Select Erase.
  10. Choose Volume format of Mac OS Extended Partition.
  11. Click Erase. (Note: This will erase all data from the drive.)
  12. Click on Disk Utility and select Quit Disk Utility.
  13. Highlight Preferred Language and continue with the installation of the Mac OS operating system.

Note: If an error appears stating that the operating system cannot be installed on this volume, simply power down the Mac, connect the hard drive’s data cable to the other SATA port, and restart the process.

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3 Ways To Check BIOS Version

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM11 mins

3 ways To check bios version There are 3 ways to check your BIOS version easily:

  • Monitor Display:
    Most PCs display the BIOS version upon initial boot up. Watch the monitor as the system boots up. The BIOS information is frequently one of the first things to appear. Press the Pause/Break key during this display to freeze the screen so that you can make note of the BIOS version number.
  • Motherboard Model Number:
    Many vendors post lists of the BIOS version provided with various system models on their corporate web sites.
  • Software Utilities:
    Use a software based reporting utility, such as Belarc Advisor or others.
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Test a WD hard drive using a Data Lifeguard Diagnostics CD/Floppy disk

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM05 mins

Data Lifeguard Diagnostics CD or Floppy disk How do I create a Data Lifeguard Diagnostic disk (Floppy or CD)?

You will need a blank, formatted floppy disk or a blank CD to create the diagnostic disk. To create a diagnostic disk, you can follow one of the procedures below:

OPTION 1: Creating a diagnostic CD.

  1. Download the Diag504fCD.zip or Diag504fCD.iso file DLG Diagnostics for DOS (CD) download.
  2. Extract the Diag504cCD.zip file to your desktop with a file extraction utility. (Alternately, you have the option to download the ISO version of the file which does not require extraction with a zip utility).
  3. You must use a CD burning program (such as Nero Burning Rom or EZ-CD Creator) to burn a CD from the .ISO image.
  4. You can now boot the computer to the diagnostics CD. Make sure your boot order in your BIOS is set to boot to the CD-ROM drive first.

OPTION 2: Creating a diagnostic floppy disk.

  1. Download the DlgDiagv504f.zip file or DlgDiagv504f.exe file DLG Diagnostics for DOS (Floppy) download. Save this file to your desktop.
  2. Extract and run the DlgDiagv504f.exe file. (Alternately you have the option to download the exe version of the file which does not require extraction with a zip utility).
  3. You will see a Diskette Creator icon on your desktop.
  4. Insert an empty formatted floppy diskette into the floppy diskette drive.
  5. Double-click on the Diskette Creator icon, follow the prompts and create your diagnostic diskette.
  6. You can now boot to this diskette. Make sure that your boot order in your Bios is set to boot from the floppy drive first.

How do I test a WD Serial ATA or EIDE hard drive for errors using a Data Lifeguard Diagnostics CD or Floppy disk?

To test a Western Digital Serial ATA or EIDE hard drive for errors using the diagnostic disk, you can follow these steps:

  1. Boot your computer and set your system BIOS to boot to a CD or Floppy disk first. If you do not know how to enter or adjust your system BIOS please refer to your computer/motherboard user manual or contact the manufacturer.
  2. Save the new BIOS setting (F10) and insert the Data LifeGuard diagnostic disk into your disk drive.
  3. You will be brought to the License Agreement screen, read the agreement and hit the Esc button.
  4. Press the Y key to accept the license agreement.
  5. You will be at the main menu for the Diagnostic Utility. Use the down arrow button to highlight Extended Test and press the Enter key.
  6. The software will tell you that a Quick Test will be run first. Press R to continue.
  7. After the Quick Test is run you should receive a four-digit error code that will indicate the status of your drive.
  8. If you receive an error code of 0000, this indicates that the hard drive does not contain any defects or errors and is working properly.
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Hard drive diagnostic software: WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostics CD/Floppy Disk

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM04 mins

Data Lifeguard Diagnostics CD/Floppy disk

The Data Lifeguard Diagnostic softwares are used primarily for determining the physical condition of your hard drive. If you are having computer problems which you suspect are hard drive related, you can test your drive with this software. This diagnostic software is designed for hard drives larger than 8.4 GB with the model number starting with WDxxx.

Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (CD)

  • Version: Version 5.04f
  • Publish Date: Oct, 2008
  • Supported OS: Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista

Data Lifeguard Diagnostic download

Data Lifeguard Diagnostic Options:

  • SELECT DRIVE – Always choose this option first, as it determines which drive you will be working on.
  • QUICK TEST – This option tests your drive quickly for any major physical problems. (Please note: Although this option is safe and does not alter the data on your hard drive, Western Digital recommends that you have a current backup of your data).
  • EXTENDED TEST – This option checks your drive thoroughly and it can repair any correctable errors. (Please note: Although this option is safe and does not alter the data on your hard drive, some data loss may occur, depending on the errors found and the errors corrected. Western Digital recommends that you have a current backup of your data).
  • WRITE ZEROS TO DRIVE – The Write Zeros option, wipes any and all data off your drive. This option used when your data is no longer usable or recoverable. If you no longer need any data from your drive and would like to start over, run this option to set your drive to an as new condition. NOTE: Please make sure that you have selected the correct drive to perform this function on as once ran, no data will be recoverable.
  • VIEW TEST RESULTS – You can see the results of the test you just performed
  • PRINT TEST RESULTS – Test results can be printed with this option. USB printers are not supported
  • LOG FILE OPEN/CLOSE – You can access the log file which is generated automatically
  • ENTER AND PRINT RMA INFORMATION – Information pertaining to each drive tested can be customized and printed with this option.
  • HELP – Brief descriptions of each option in addition to explanations of error codes are available in this option.
  • QUIT – Reboot your system once you have completed the selected tasks
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What should I do for a noisy seagate hard drive?

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM02 mins

Hard Drive Noise All of seagate new Parallel ATA (PATA) hard drives and new Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives are optimized for performance, they do not have a utility that can quiet them down.

While modern drives are extremely quiet, every hard drive makes a certain amount of noise while running. Normally, the faster the drive motor spins, the higher pitched the resulting sound will be.

It is also normal for the hard drive to make sort of a “chattering” or “clicking” sound while it is reading and writing data.

However, if the sound coming from the area around your hard drive has recently changed or is an excessive grinding or clanking noise, this may indicate a physical problem with the hard drive.

Noise from the cooling fans in the power supply are often mistaken as hard drive noise.  To isolate whether the noise is coming from the drive or one of the fans, you can issue a “spin down” command through software.  The Seagate SeaTools for DOS diagnostic has an acoustical spin down test.

If the sound goes away, then the sound was produced by the hard drive.  If the sound remains, then the drive is not the cause of the sound.

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Case Study: How to create a RAID 0 (stripped) Array

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM05 mins

Raid 0 Array (Stripped) Create a RAID 0 (stripped) array using the Western Digital serial ATA RAID controller and two serial ATA drives.

Note: A RAID 0 array is not fault tolerant. It is recommended that you backup any important data that you decide to store on the array.

To create a RAID 0 array please follow the steps below:

  1. With the computer powered off, follow the instructions for installing the RAID controller correctly and connect both Serial ATA hard drives to the controller.
  2. Boot your computer with the controller and drives already installed.
  3. Watch your boot screens for a prompt that will ask you to press the Control and F keys at the same time to enter the Fastbuild utility and press those keys to enter.
  4. Press the 1 key to enter Auto Setup.
  5. Verify that the top of the screen says Optimize Array for: Performance.
  6. If the top of the screen says Security instead of performance, highlight the word Security and press the right arrow button to change the word to Performance.
  7. You should see that two hard drives are being used in the array and you will also see the total size of the array in MB.
  8. Press the Control and Y keys at the same time to save the array configuration.
  9. Press the Y key to create and quick initialize the array.
  10. You will be warned that all data on the drives will be erased, press the Y key to proceed.
  11. The array is now created, press any key to reboot.

To use the array for extra data storage only:

  • Install the latest service pack for your operating system to enable large drive support and use Disk Management to partition and format the array.

To use the array as your bootable system drive:

  • Set your BIOS to boot to CD first and boot from your Windows 2000/XP CD to load your operating system onto the array.
  • Windows will treat the array as one large drive and will install on the array just as it would on a single drive.
  • When you are prompted by Windows setup to press the F6 key to install SCSI or RAID drivers, you will need to press F6 and insert the driver disk that came with your RAID controller card.
  • Once the drivers for the card are installed you will be able to finish the installation of Windows 2000/XP onto the array. After the installation of Windows, please install the latest service pack for Windows to enable large drive support and avoid data corruption.

Note: Your system BIOS may require you to change the order of your boot sequence before you can boot your computer from a controller. For more information about adjusting options in your system BIOS, please contact the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard.

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Primary Partition VS Extended Partition

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM11 mins

Primary Partition VS Extended Partition A hard drive can be divided into primary partition and extended partitions. Partitions function as physically separate storage units. This allows you to separate different types of information, such as user data on one partition and applications on another. A hard drive can contain up to four primary partitions, or up to three primary partitions and one extended partition, for a maximum of four partitions.

There can be only one extended partition on a hard disk, so you should include all remaining free space in the extended partition. Unlike primary partitions, you don’t format extended partitions or assign drive letters to them. You divide extended partitions into segments. Each segment is a logical drive. You assign a drive letter to each logical drive and format it with a file system.

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How to reduce the chance of hard drive damage by ESD

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM03 mins

hard drive damage Hard drives are highly sensitive precision instruments that read, write, and store information on spinning magnetic disks. Special handling is required to protect hard drives from damage. Hard drives can be damaged by excessive physical force or from Electrostatic Discharge (ESD).

ESD damage is usually invisible to the eye and may not be discovered until much later, either through intermittent performance or failure. By using the proper procedures outlined in this article, you can reduce the chance of hard drive damage by ESD.

  • Before removing the hard drive from its ESD bag, prepare tools and cables to install.
  • Keep the hard drive inside the ESD bag until you are ready to physically install the hard drive into the computer system.
  • Wear a grounding strap if available – especially if near sensitive devices like memory, controller cards, or other electronic boards.
  • With the computer turned off (but still plugged into the power source), touch bare metal on computer case, then unplug the computer’s power cable*.
  • Do not let others touch the drive.
  • Hold a hard drive by the sides, taking care not to touch the PCB connectors or Printed Circuit Board assembly.
  • Install drive without walking on carpet or moving about in any way that generates static electricity.
  • Do not drop, jolt, or shake a hard drive. This action could damage the internal components of the drive.
  • Avoid subjecting the hard drive to extreme temperatures.
  • Do not stack hard drives.
  • Do not stand hard drives on their sides.
  • Do not place anything on top of a hard drive.
  • Never force or hammer a hard drive into a computer bay.
  • Use caution when installing data and power connectors to avoid damaging connector pins.
  • Do not obstruct or cover any air filter holes on the drives.
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Basic Disk VS Dynamic Disk

DATARECOVERYUNION.COM03 mins

Basic Disk VS Dynamic Disk Basic Disks in Windows 2000/XP/Vista:
A basic disk uses the normal partition tables found in MS-DOS and Windows. The volumes contained on a basic disk will be basic volumes, such as primary and extended partitions, and logical drives. Basic disks may also contain multi-disk volumes created by Windows NT 4.0 and earlier (volume sets, stripe and mirror sets, and stripe sets with parity). Windows XP will not support these types of multi-disk basic volumes. With Windows XP, you should back up your data and then convert these to dynamic disks prior to installing Windows XP Professional.

Dynamic Disks in Windows 2000/XP/Vista:
Dynamic disks are supported in Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional. Windows XP Home Edition does not support dynamic disks. Dynamic disks contain simple volumes, spanned volumes, striped volumes, mirrored volumes, and RAID-5 volumes. Dynamic storage allows you to perform disk and volume management without having to restart Windows.

Dynamic disks are only supported in Windows Vista Ultimate, in Windows Vista Business, and in Windows Vista Enterprise. Generally, dynamic disks are not supported in Windows Vista Home Basic or in Windows Vista Home Premium. However, when you upgrade your computer from Windows XP Media Center Edition to Windows Vista Home Premium, some dynamic disks are supported.

General Information

  • On a basic disk, a partition is a portion of the disk that functions as a physically separate unit. On a dynamic disk, storage is divided into volumes instead of partitions.
  • Storage types are separate from the file system type; a basic or dynamic disk can contain any combination of FAT16, FAT32, and NTFS partitions or volumes. Please note that the creation of FAT16 volumes will be limited to 2GB or less, FAT32 volumes will be limited to 32GB or less. NTFS volumes do not have a capacity limitation.
  • Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional accommodates both basic and dynamic storage. A disk system can contain any combination of storage types. However, all partitions or volumes on the same disk must use the same storage type (Basic or Dynamic).
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