MRmonster

I'm running a system with 2 optical drives[on IDE 2] ;
cd-rom & dvd writer.
Also have a 60gb hdd & a secondary 40gb [both on IDE 1]
I just bought a brand new 200gb drive & want to take out my
cd-rom & install the 200gb there.
2 things i'm wondering;
Is it a bad idea to add on & install on IDE2 with an optical? I'm
not too knowledged on hardware. :)
Also, what about the open space in the front
of my case where my cd drive was? should i just cover it with something?

thanks for any info.

oldmn

When you install the new drive you will need to make sure you use a new 80 wire cable (Should be marked ATA133 and will have colored connectors, Black for master, gray for slave and blue goes to the mother board),.
When you remove the cdrom check the settings on the back that are marked MA, SL and CS when you install the new drive set it the same.
You can use some thing like this cooler with mount that you will need to mount the 3.5" drive in where the cd came out of.
http://www.pcpartscollection.com/hardisdrivco.html

MRmonster

So, I'm thinking maybe i should just remove the 40gb & put the 200gb there.
I cant connect it to the IDE2 cable? You mentioned the '80 wire cable [ata133]'
as something i need extra [also the HDD cooler]. I cant connect it to the IDE2 cable? I wasnt planning of spending another 10bux or so to install it so meh, maybe just do it the easy way. Just didn't want to burn 3 dvds to move stuff from one drive to the other.
Getting a new HDD is a pain the a**.

kodi

Take the 40g out and replace it with the 200g,try the 40 on the IDE2 cable being a small drive it may be old enough to work on a 40 wire cable (youve got nothing to loose).
Another way is to purchase an IDE Controller card,they are not expensive.

linderman

you can run your new drive on the cable previously occupied by your cd-rom drive >>>> but optical drives use a 40 wire cable as you have been advises; when you install your drive on a 40 wire cable the perfromance capabilities will drop from the Ata 100 or 133 spec doen to the ATA 33 spec which = sloooow but that will give you plenty of ability to copy everything off the 40 gig and put it on the 200 gig

Personally I dont like mixing hard drives and optical drives becasue the presence of the optical drives drop the performance down alot / you would be far better served in the future to buy a IDE contoller card (PCI version) as made by PROMISE is a great brand !! they run about $35.00 to $40.00

the best short term solution is to copy the contents of your 40 to the 200 / then pull the 40 out and then install the 200 in its place

you could then put the 40 in the place of the former cd-rom drive ????

you have alot of options >>>

joe