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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: plucks on May 11, 2009, 11:45:04 AM

Title: install new disk drive when part of dual drive tower?
Post by: plucks on May 11, 2009, 11:45:04 AM
I think my DVD burner has crapped out which is the primary disk drive.
It's linked to a secondary drive read-only below it.  Both drives are linked with the IDE/PATA single cable where one is primary, second is "slave": http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/27-106-085-04.jpg

Naturally, i didn't realize this until after and opened up my tower.

The new DVD/BluRay drives all seem to utilize SATA type:
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/27-106-254-04.jpg

So, what's the proper way to install a new drive like this?
Can the secondary drive run off "slave" pin alone, or should i swap it out to "primary" pin? 
I don't think i have an available SATA link since I just installed a new 500GB drive a few months back and might have used the last slot on the main board.

any ideas are appreciated!
Title: Re: install new disk drive when part of dual drive tower?
Post by: flipp on May 11, 2009, 12:16:42 PM
If you only have one ATA/IDE drive, set the jumper so it is the primary/master drive and use the end connector on the cable.

If you don't have an available SATA connector on the motherboard you can purchase an add-in card so you can use more SATA devices, such as the DVD/BluRay you just purchased; otherwise you will have to delte one of your current SATA drives to use the new DVD. If you have a small SATA hard-drive, transfer all your data from it to the new 500GB drive, then remove the small drive and use the newly freed SATA connector for your new DVD.
Title: Re: install new disk drive when part of dual drive tower?
Post by: Lil Kim Jong-Il on May 11, 2009, 10:17:55 PM
About the SATA drive, what he said.  Get a PCI card.   When you do, get a card with an eSATA port so that you can attach a RAID or another big eSATA box if you decide to.

With the PATA drive, unless your motherboard is vintage, it shouldn't matter.  Modern BIOS should auto-detect attached ATS devices.
Title: Re: install new disk drive when part of dual drive tower?
Post by: plucks on May 12, 2009, 08:32:16 AM
thanks guys...i'll see what i can figure out!