Installing 2nd hd - do I have everything I need?

gwc1023 · 02-23-2007, 09:45 AM

I'm going to be installing a 2nd hd into a Dell Dimension 2450. The case is not set up for a 2nd drive, but I have bought this kit http://www.issue-resolved.com/Reg_kit_detail.htm (made for this model of Dell) in order to have a bracket to put it into.

I purchased the hd from Tiger Direct, and it comes just the drive, no cables, cords, wires, software, etc.

Do I have everything I need to install the drive tonight? My husband is in town today and could pick up anything else I needed, but after that it will be next week before we're able to get to the computer store.

Thank you very much for your help!

~~CannonFodder~~ · 02-23-2007, 09:55 AM

As long as you have a DATA cable with two connectors and one power plug, yes you do. The only other thing is if the PS has enough power to run the extra drive. I would assume that won't be a problem.

**linderman** · 02-23-2007, 11:41 AM

have him pick up an 80wire IDE drive cable

most dells that were sold with one hard drive dont have two plugs on their dataq cable!

also when you install the new drive put the jumper shunt on the slave position, then you will need to remove the existing drive in your case and change the jumper setting on that one to Master (it will be CS or cable select now)

you will also need to format the drive
look in my signature for "my favorite links" then look under format & partitioning
there will be a guide on "how to use disk managment" from their you can format your drive otherwise it wont show up as ready for use under "my computer"

**linderman** · 02-23-2007, 11:43 AM

according to your link for the "resolved" it comes with an IDE ribbon cable

ParityError · 02-23-2007, 12:04 PM

Also, don't forget to look for the 'jumper' setting on the back of the new drive.

I believe that it has to be set in a different location to be used as a secondary 'Slave' drive.

There may be a label on the drive describing the different positions...You can use tweezers to pull the shunt off the pins for relocation.

After install, bootup the PC and goto MY COMPUTER. The new drive should be listed under a new letter (E:\) <--or something else.

RIGHT-CLICK on the new drive and select FORMAT. Make sure this is NOT drive (C:\)

After the formatting process is complete, you should be ready to begin loading the drive with photos, music, etc.

--PE

**linderman** · 02-23-2007, 12:07 PM

Parity's info is spot on!

~~CannonFodder~~ · 02-24-2007, 03:01 PM

Shouldn't that be a primary slave?
I guess the only other question I have is ... Is the CD/DVD device on a different cable? I have seen some manufactured PC's that actually have the one HDD on the same cable with the CD/DVD. Although I was always told that was a no-no if you want best performance from your HDD.

Also, I thought the 80 wire ribbons were for SCSI devices.
Never paid that a lot of attention. Stupid I guess ... but you learn something new every day!

02-23-2007, 09:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
gwc1023 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1 OS: XP	Installing 2nd hd - do I have everything I need? I'm going to be installing a 2nd hd into a Dell Dimension 2450. The case is not set up for a 2nd drive, but I have bought this kit http://www.issue-resolved.com/Reg_kit_detail.htm (made for this model of Dell) in order to have a bracket to put it into. I purchased the hd from Tiger Direct, and it comes just the drive, no cables, cords, wires, software, etc. Do I have everything I need to install the drive tonight? My husband is in town today and could pick up anything else I needed, but after that it will be next week before we're able to get to the computer store. Thank you very much for your help!

02-23-2007, 11:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,403 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	have him pick up an 80wire IDE drive cable most dells that were sold with one hard drive dont have two plugs on their dataq cable! also when you install the new drive put the jumper shunt on the slave position, then you will need to remove the existing drive in your case and change the jumper setting on that one to Master (it will be CS or cable select now) you will also need to format the drive look in my signature for "my favorite links" then look under format & partitioning there will be a guide on "how to use disk managment" from their you can format your drive otherwise it wont show up as ready for use under "my computer" __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by linderman; 02-23-2007 at 11:56 AM.

02-23-2007, 11:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,403 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	according to your link for the "resolved" it comes with an IDE ribbon cable __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

02-23-2007, 12:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
ParityError Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 24 OS: XPhome XPpro LINUX	Also, don't forget to look for the 'jumper' setting on the back of the new drive. I believe that it has to be set in a different location to be used as a secondary 'Slave' drive. There may be a label on the drive describing the different positions...You can use tweezers to pull the shunt off the pins for relocation. After install, bootup the PC and goto MY COMPUTER. The new drive should be listed under a new letter (E:\) <--or something else. RIGHT-CLICK on the new drive and select FORMAT. Make sure this is NOT drive (C:\) After the formatting process is complete, you should be ready to begin loading the drive with photos, music, etc. --PE Last edited by ParityError; 02-23-2007 at 12:08 PM.

02-23-2007, 12:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,403 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Parity's info is spot on! __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

02-23-2007, 09:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
~~CannonFodder~~ Register user Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 62 OS: XPpro	As long as you have a DATA cable with two connectors and one power plug, yes you do. The only other thing is if the PS has enough power to run the extra drive. I would assume that won't be a problem.

02-24-2007, 03:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
~~CannonFodder~~ Register user Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 62 OS: XPpro	Shouldn't that be a primary slave? I guess the only other question I have is ... Is the CD/DVD device on a different cable? I have seen some manufactured PC's that actually have the one HDD on the same cable with the CD/DVD. Although I was always told that was a no-no if you want best performance from your HDD. Also, I thought the 80 wire ribbons were for SCSI devices. Never paid that a lot of attention. Stupid I guess ... but you learn something new every day! Last edited by CannonFodder; 02-24-2007 at 03:02 PM.