How to Install Serial ATA on your System
Study to your computer system detail to see if your system supports Serial ATA on the motherboard and to locate the Serial ATA connector. If your system does not have a Serial ATA connector on the motherboard, you must purchase a Serial ATA host adapter that is compatible with your computer and operating system and install it with the appropriate device driver according to the host adapter manufacturer's installation instructions.
Serial ATA host adapters use the PCI expansion slot. To install the host adapter:
Shut down, turn off and unplug your computer and open the cover and locate an empty PCI slot.
Insert the Serial ATA card into the slot.
Fasten the card into place using the screw that previously held the slot cover in place.
Connect the Serial ATA data cable to one of the SATA connectors.
After the host adapter is installed, it's time to install the drive:
Connect the power adapter to the rear of the drive.
Compare the length of the Serial ATA data cable to the distance to empty drive bays. Use this technique to determine which empty drive bay you can use for the Serial ATA drive.
Select an empty 3.5-inch drive bay within reach of the cable and fasten the drive into place with four screws.
If you need to use an empty 5.25-inch drive bay, install a 5.25-inch adapter kit for 3.5-inch drives. The kits made for standard ATA drives also work with Serial ATA drives.
Connect a 4-pin power lead from the power supply to the rear of the drive.
Connect the Serial ATA cable running from the host adapter to the rear of the drive.