Western Digital WD Blue 160 GB PATA Desktop Hard Drive

1. Introduction

This manual provides essential information for the installation, operation, and maintenance of your Western Digital (WD) Blue 160 GB PATA Desktop Hard Drive, model WD1600AAJB. This drive is designed for everyday computing needs, offering solid performance and reliability for compatible desktop systems.

The WD1600AAJB features a 3.5-inch form factor, 7200 RPM rotational speed, an 8 MB cache, and utilizes the Parallel ATA (PATA) interface, also known as IDE. Please read this manual thoroughly before proceeding with installation or use.

2. Safety Information

• Always handle the hard drive with care. Avoid dropping or subjecting it to physical shock.
• Ensure your computer is powered off and unplugged from the electrical outlet before installing or removing the hard drive.
• Discharge any static electricity from your body by touching a grounded metal object (e.g., the computer chassis) before handling the drive. Consider using an anti-static wrist strap.
• Do not open the hard drive enclosure. Doing so will void the warranty and may damage the internal components.
• Keep the hard drive away from strong magnetic fields.
• Install the drive in a well-ventilated area to prevent overheating.

3. Package Contents

The WD Blue WD1600AAJB hard drive is typically sold as a bulk OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) product. This means the package usually contains only the hard drive itself. Additional accessories such as data cables, power cables, mounting screws, or software are generally not included and must be acquired separately if needed.

4. Setup and Installation

4.1. Physical Installation

1. Prepare your computer: Power down your computer, unplug the power cord, and open the computer case.
2. Locate an available drive bay: Identify an empty 3.5-inch drive bay within your computer chassis.
3. Mount the hard drive: Carefully slide the WD1600AAJB hard drive into the drive bay. Secure it using appropriate mounting screws on both sides of the drive to prevent vibration.

4.2. Jumper Settings for PATA (IDE) Drives

PATA drives require proper jumper configuration to define their role in a system with multiple drives on the same cable. The jumper block is typically located near the data and power connectors on the back of the drive. Refer to the label on your specific drive for the exact jumper diagram. Common settings include:

• Master: Used when the drive is the primary device on a PATA cable, often for the operating system.
• Slave: Used when the drive is a secondary device on a PATA cable, alongside a Master drive.
• Cable Select (CS): Allows the system BIOS to automatically assign Master/Slave roles based on the drive's position on a Cable Select compatible PATA cable. This is often the recommended setting if your system and cable support it.

Important: Incorrect jumper settings can prevent your system from detecting the drive or booting correctly. Always consult the diagram printed on the drive's label for precise configuration.

Image 1: Top view of the WD Blue 160 GB PATA hard drive (Model WD1600AAJB) showing the product label. The label contains important information including the model number, serial number (e.g., WMAP9D448068), capacity, RPM, cache, and often a diagram for jumper settings.

4.3. Connecting Cables

1. Connect the PATA data cable: Connect one end of the 40-pin PATA ribbon cable to the corresponding connector on the hard drive. Ensure the red stripe on the cable aligns with Pin 1 on the drive connector. Connect the other end to an available PATA controller on your motherboard.
2. Connect the power cable: Connect a 4-pin Molex power connector from your power supply unit (PSU) to the power connector on the hard drive. Ensure a firm connection.

Image 2: Close-up view of the PATA data (left, wider) and 4-pin Molex power (right, narrower) connectors on the back of a hard drive. The jumper block is typically located between these two connectors.

Image 3: Bottom view of the WD Blue 160 GB PATA hard drive, revealing the green printed circuit board (PCB) and the motor assembly. This view shows the electronic components responsible for drive operation.

4.4. Initial Software Setup

1. BIOS Configuration: After physical installation, power on your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. Verify that the new hard drive is detected. You may need to adjust boot order settings if this is your primary drive.
2. Partitioning and Formatting: For a new drive, you will need to partition and format it before it can be used for storage. This can be done using your operating system's Disk Management utility (e.g., Windows Disk Management) or a third-party tool.
3. Data Migration (Optional): If you are replacing an existing drive, Western Digital offers WD Acronis True Image as a free download. This software allows you to copy all data from your old drive to the new WD drive, eliminating the need to reinstall your operating system and applications.

5. Operating Instructions

Once installed, partitioned, and formatted, your WD Blue hard drive functions as standard storage within your operating system. You can use it to:

• Install operating systems and applications.
• Store documents, photos, videos, music, and other digital files.
• Create and manage partitions for organizing data.

The drive is compatible with Windows 7/Vista/XP/2000, Mac, and Linux operating systems. It is recommended for use in PCs, high-performance workstations, and as additional storage in desktop PCs or external enclosures.

6. Maintenance

• Regular Data Backup: Regularly back up important data to another storage device (e.g., external hard drive, cloud storage). Hard drives are mechanical devices and can fail.
• Monitor Drive Health: Utilize S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) tools available in your operating system or third-party utilities to monitor the health status of your drive.
• Keep System Clean: Ensure your computer's internal components, including the hard drive, are free from dust buildup to maintain optimal operating temperatures.

7. Troubleshooting

• Drive Not Detected:
  • Check all cable connections (PATA data and Molex power) to ensure they are secure.
  • Verify jumper settings (Master/Slave/Cable Select) are configured correctly for your system.
  • Check BIOS/UEFI settings to confirm the drive is recognized.
  • Test the drive in a different PATA port or with a different cable if possible.
• Slow Performance:
  • Ensure the drive is properly defragmented (for Windows operating systems).
  • Check for background processes or malware consuming system resources.
  • Verify that the PATA controller is operating in its optimal mode (e.g., UDMA mode).
• Unusual Noises: Clicking, grinding, or repetitive noises may indicate a failing drive. Back up your data immediately and consider replacing the drive.

8. Specifications

9. Warranty and Support

9.1. Warranty Information

This product typically comes with a 30-day warranty for return and exchange. Please refer to your purchase documentation or retailer for specific warranty terms and conditions, as these may vary depending on the point of purchase.

9.2. Customer Support

For further assistance, technical support, or to access additional resources, please visit the official Western Digital Support website:

• WD Support Site: https://support.wdc.com
• Knowledge Base: Access a detailed Knowledge Base with numerous helpful articles.
• Toll-Free Support: In the U.S. and Canada, toll-free support is available 7 days per week. Refer to the WD Support site for current contact numbers and hours of operation.