Hard disk questions

**jarod** · 07-29-2008, 02:23 PM

Hi there... i have a few questions about hard disk after reading about HDD, IDE and SATA

1) When i see in brochure, i see SATA 16mb, 32mb or 16/32mb. What does it mean. Does the MOB or connectors affect what i shall buy

2) Does MOB or BIOS have a max supported capacity of HDD. For example, this bios version or MOB can only support up to 500GB and no more

3) Which is better, do i buy a 1TB HDD using a IDE to SATA converter as my MOB is IDE. OR do i buy 2 500GB HDD and utilizes a PCI RAID card to combine the 2 HDD together to become 1 TB

**wrench97** · 07-29-2008, 02:35 PM

What is your computer an HP laptop?

**jarod** · 07-29-2008, 02:40 PM

A desktop...

MOB: MSI MS-6547
http://www.ciao.co.uk/MSI_MS_6547__5409504

**wrench97** · 07-29-2008, 03:04 PM

Ok I was going by the board you have listed under My System.
Yes that is an IDE board If you want to upgrade to Sata you will need a controller card, however I'm not a real fan of them.
I don't believe your bios will limit you on the size of the drive , however if you using XP sp1 or below the os will.
My feelings are that unless you really need Raid to run a redundant drive set up, to avoid it, I in favor of simplicity.

**jarod** · 07-29-2008, 03:11 PM

I would also prefer simplicity as i only need one drive (1TB) but if i were to use a IDE to SATA, wouldn't the speed of the data transfer be limited by IDE. Thus i won't enjoy the benefits of SATA

~~wiseleo~~ · 07-29-2008, 03:11 PM

A 1TB drive would be a better option than a RAID 0 of 2 500GB drives.

SATA has replaced IDE.

You also need a backup 1TB drive.

**jarod** · 07-29-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiseleo

A 1TB drive would be a better option than a RAID 0 of 2 500GB drives.

Why is that so besides simplicity reason..

Also does anyone know what does the 8/16/32 MB of hdd means. As i am looking in my pricelist and different MB has different price tag??

**wrench97** · 07-29-2008, 03:51 PM

The memory listed is what the hard drive has as a cache on the drive controller.
Raid 0 is a striped array where data is written across 2 disks lose 1 disk and lose all the data. It's more finicky then a simple large drive, and while I agree sata has replaced IDE if you don't have a sata MB booting from a controller card can be finicky also.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redunda...ependent_disks

**jarod** · 07-29-2008, 04:03 PM

Either way, i still have 2 use an option that is finicky as changing MOB meaning changing CPU due to socket issues. Which then brings me to change of memory and possibly CPU... cost factor in mind

Anyway, i am having a hard time finding a IDE to SATA converter but would just like to ask 1 more thing

If i use a PCI RAID card but only attached one HDD to it. Will it work. Instead of putting 2 500MB HDD to it, i put in 1 TB HDD to it. Will not use a RAID system but instead using PCI RAID card so that i can use a SATA HDD, thats all

**wrench97** · 07-29-2008, 04:55 PM

Yes I should have made that clear Sata a type of drive Raid is way to use the drives it different arrays to either make a redundant array (a back up drive) or data stripe which reduces write speeds by writing different data to multiple drives at the same time (useful on database servers).
I realize you can't shop off this link but it will show you whats available.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=%2425+-+%2450

~~wiseleo~~ · 07-29-2008, 04:55 PM

The ideal solution is a RAID 1 of (2) 1TB drives + a 1TB external backup drive. That, however, is expensive.

By using a single drive on a RAID controller, you'll have a RAID 0 of one drive, which is good.

I'd go with that option. :)

**jarod** · 07-30-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

Yes I should have made that clear Sata a type of drive Raid is way to use the drives it different arrays to either make a redundant array

Sorry... i can't understand what you are trying to say there

@wiseleo. Yeah, using RAID 0 on 2 drives. If one drive fails, the whole data is gone. Just that if separate into 2 will increase speed but being a backup computer, speed is not critical.

Also RAID 9 minimum HDD is 2. However would it be possible to disable RAID functions on a RAID controller. Just want to use the RAID controller as it can acts as a bridge between MOB using IDE and SATA HDD

Anyway, just like you said RAID 0 will work on 1 disc instead of 2 disc like it was intended to work on

**wrench97** · 07-30-2008, 01:27 AM

You can disable Raid all together and use them just like 2 IDE drives.

garyituk · 07-30-2008, 01:58 AM

Hello, i have been running 4hdd's in the PC (1xIDE and the others SATA) all working fine until i installed a replacement dvd rw (sata) i have a sata (Raid) pci card install as my motherboard only has two SATA ports, but when i plugged in the dvd drive nothing happened on boot up, and looking in the device manager there was nothing showing as well as the bios.
So i unplugged the dvd rw, i rebooted the PC and now on my desktop, two of the SATA drives have a question mark on the icon and i can't access them. I have tried looking in the bios and nothing there either.
Can anyone help?

Gary

**jarod** · 07-30-2008, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

You can disable Raid all together and use them just like 2 IDE drives.

U mean disable the RAID all together and use them just like 1 IDE and 1 SATA as my original HDD is a 20GB IDE drive

**wrench97** · 07-30-2008, 12:46 PM

Yes as a plain hard drive Sata, IDE I doubt you will notice the difference between a Sata drive and an IDE drive in normal usage.
Raid is a usage scheme you do not have to have or use Raid to have a Sata drive or to have multiple drives on your computer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID

**jarod** · 07-31-2008, 03:25 AM

Thanks there but just one more questions

I just found out that the card is am using (RAID card) is SATA 1 where else the hard disk i am using is of SATA 2. I found out that mixing the two together is possible but the speed of the SATA 2 hard disk will reduce to SATA 1 speed

Just one to confirm whether it is possible... thanks

Is there anything else i need to know before mixing these two together with an old MOB with PCI slot

**wrench97** · 07-31-2008, 12:00 PM

Yes Sata 1 is compatible with Sata 2 most new drives ship with a jumper installed making them Sata 1 and a lot of people install them with removing the jumper and don't notice the difference. So just make sure your drive is jumpered to Sata 1.

**jarod** · 07-31-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

Yes Sata 1 is compatible with Sata 2 most new drives ship with a jumper installed making them Sata 1 and a lot of people install them with removing the jumper and don't notice the difference. So just make sure your drive is jumpered to Sata 1.

Unless of course the card has something they called auto negotiation right

Thanks again all of you who helped me through this...

**wrench97** · 07-31-2008, 03:54 PM

Well if it's a Sata 1 card I don't believe it will be able to auto negotiate Sata 2, but there are a lot of different cards around and possible configs.
Also I've never seen a Sata 2 drive not work on a Sata 1 system, but everyday is a new learning experience.

07-29-2008, 02:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
jarod TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Malaysia, Klang Posts: 518 OS: Win XP service pack 2 My System	Hard disk questions Hi there... i have a few questions about hard disk after reading about HDD, IDE and SATA 1) When i see in brochure, i see SATA 16mb, 32mb or 16/32mb. What does it mean. Does the MOB or connectors affect what i shall buy 2) Does MOB or BIOS have a max supported capacity of HDD. For example, this bios version or MOB can only support up to 500GB and no more 3) Which is better, do i buy a 1TB HDD using a IDE to SATA converter as my MOB is IDE. OR do i buy 2 500GB HDD and utilizes a PCI RAID card to combine the 2 HDD together to become 1 TB __________________ Optimus Prime: Were we so different? They're a young species. They have much to learn. But I've seen goodness in them.Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. You all know there's only one way to end this war. We must destroy the cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest.

07-29-2008, 02:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,544 OS: Win7	Re: Hard disk questions What is your computer an HP laptop? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-29-2008, 02:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
jarod TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Malaysia, Klang Posts: 518 OS: Win XP service pack 2 My System	Re: Hard disk questions A desktop... MOB: MSI MS-6547 http://www.ciao.co.uk/MSI_MS_6547__5409504 __________________ Optimus Prime: Were we so different? They're a young species. They have much to learn. But I've seen goodness in them.Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. You all know there's only one way to end this war. We must destroy the cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest.

07-29-2008, 03:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,544 OS: Win7	Re: Hard disk questions Ok I was going by the board you have listed under My System. Yes that is an IDE board If you want to upgrade to Sata you will need a controller card, however I'm not a real fan of them. I don't believe your bios will limit you on the size of the drive , however if you using XP sp1 or below the os will. My feelings are that unless you really need Raid to run a redundant drive set up, to avoid it, I in favor of simplicity. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-29-2008, 03:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
jarod TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Malaysia, Klang Posts: 518 OS: Win XP service pack 2 My System	Re: Hard disk questions I would also prefer simplicity as i only need one drive (1TB) but if i were to use a IDE to SATA, wouldn't the speed of the data transfer be limited by IDE. Thus i won't enjoy the benefits of SATA __________________ Optimus Prime: Were we so different? They're a young species. They have much to learn. But I've seen goodness in them.Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. You all know there's only one way to end this war. We must destroy the cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest.

07-29-2008, 03:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
~~wiseleo~~ Troubled Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 461 OS: Win 2003 SP2 My System	Re: Hard disk questions A 1TB drive would be a better option than a RAID 0 of 2 500GB drives. SATA has replaced IDE. You also need a backup 1TB drive. Last edited by wiseleo; 07-29-2008 at 03:12 PM.

07-29-2008, 03:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,544 OS: Win7	Re: Hard disk questions The memory listed is what the hard drive has as a cache on the drive controller. Raid 0 is a striped array where data is written across 2 disks lose 1 disk and lose all the data. It's more finicky then a simple large drive, and while I agree sata has replaced IDE if you don't have a sata MB booting from a controller card can be finicky also. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redunda...ependent_disks __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-29-2008, 04:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
jarod TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Malaysia, Klang Posts: 518 OS: Win XP service pack 2 My System	Re: Hard disk questions Either way, i still have 2 use an option that is finicky as changing MOB meaning changing CPU due to socket issues. Which then brings me to change of memory and possibly CPU... cost factor in mind Anyway, i am having a hard time finding a IDE to SATA converter but would just like to ask 1 more thing If i use a PCI RAID card but only attached one HDD to it. Will it work. Instead of putting 2 500MB HDD to it, i put in 1 TB HDD to it. Will not use a RAID system but instead using PCI RAID card so that i can use a SATA HDD, thats all __________________ Optimus Prime: Were we so different? They're a young species. They have much to learn. But I've seen goodness in them.Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. You all know there's only one way to end this war. We must destroy the cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest.

07-29-2008, 04:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,544 OS: Win7	Re: Hard disk questions Yes I should have made that clear Sata a type of drive Raid is way to use the drives it different arrays to either make a redundant array (a back up drive) or data stripe which reduces write speeds by writing different data to multiple drives at the same time (useful on database servers). I realize you can't shop off this link but it will show you whats available. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=%2425+-+%2450 __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-29-2008, 04:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
~~wiseleo~~ Troubled Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 461 OS: Win 2003 SP2 My System	Re: Hard disk questions The ideal solution is a RAID 1 of (2) 1TB drives + a 1TB external backup drive. That, however, is expensive. By using a single drive on a RAID controller, you'll have a RAID 0 of one drive, which is good. I'd go with that option. :)

07-30-2008, 01:27 AM	#13 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,544 OS: Win7	Re: Hard disk questions You can disable Raid all together and use them just like 2 IDE drives. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-30-2008, 01:58 AM	#14 (permalink)
garyituk Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1 OS: WINDOWS XP	Re: Hard disk questions Hello, i have been running 4hdd's in the PC (1xIDE and the others SATA) all working fine until i installed a replacement dvd rw (sata) i have a sata (Raid) pci card install as my motherboard only has two SATA ports, but when i plugged in the dvd drive nothing happened on boot up, and looking in the device manager there was nothing showing as well as the bios. So i unplugged the dvd rw, i rebooted the PC and now on my desktop, two of the SATA drives have a question mark on the icon and i can't access them. I have tried looking in the bios and nothing there either. Can anyone help? Gary Last edited by garyituk; 07-30-2008 at 02:01 AM.

07-30-2008, 12:46 PM	#16 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,544 OS: Win7	Re: Hard disk questions Yes as a plain hard drive Sata, IDE I doubt you will notice the difference between a Sata drive and an IDE drive in normal usage. Raid is a usage scheme you do not have to have or use Raid to have a Sata drive or to have multiple drives on your computer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-31-2008, 03:25 AM	#17 (permalink)
jarod TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Malaysia, Klang Posts: 518 OS: Win XP service pack 2 My System	Re: Hard disk questions Thanks there but just one more questions I just found out that the card is am using (RAID card) is SATA 1 where else the hard disk i am using is of SATA 2. I found out that mixing the two together is possible but the speed of the SATA 2 hard disk will reduce to SATA 1 speed Just one to confirm whether it is possible... thanks Is there anything else i need to know before mixing these two together with an old MOB with PCI slot __________________ Optimus Prime: Were we so different? They're a young species. They have much to learn. But I've seen goodness in them.Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. You all know there's only one way to end this war. We must destroy the cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest.

07-31-2008, 12:00 PM	#18 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,544 OS: Win7	Re: Hard disk questions Yes Sata 1 is compatible with Sata 2 most new drives ship with a jumper installed making them Sata 1 and a lot of people install them with removing the jumper and don't notice the difference. So just make sure your drive is jumpered to Sata 1. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-31-2008, 03:54 PM	#20 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,544 OS: Win7	Re: Hard disk questions Well if it's a Sata 1 card I don't believe it will be able to auto negotiate Sata 2, but there are a lot of different cards around and possible configs. Also I've never seen a Sata 2 drive not work on a Sata 1 system, but everyday is a new learning experience. __________________ Power Supply and Selection