Installing ata drive as slave to IDE master

GaryO · 12-24-2008, 02:09 PM

I'm trying to recover some data from a friends computer that no longer has a windows operating system.

I had intended to install his hard drive in my back up computer. But his HD is ATA and my master is IDE.

Suggestions anyone? I'm out of my comfort zone.

**simpswr** · 12-24-2008, 02:24 PM

and welcome to the Forum

ATA and IDE are just two words for the same thing . . It works best if you attach it in place of the CD drive . .

GaryO · 12-24-2008, 06:07 PM

In place of one of the CD drives?

I have two hard drives, I was just going to pull the 2nd hard drive and replace it with his drive and change the dip switches. Any problems with that?

I figured Windows would detect "new hardware" and I'd insert the driver disk for that Hard Drive.

Thanks,

Gry

**simpswr** · 12-24-2008, 07:38 PM

There is less chance of the pc trying to boot from the new drive if you connect it in place of a cd . .

**TheShadowFl** · 12-31-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryO

In place of one of the CD drives?

I have two hard drives, I was just going to pull the 2nd hard drive and replace it with his drive and change the dip switches. Any problems with that?

I figured Windows would detect "new hardware" and I'd insert the driver disk for that Hard Drive.

Thanks,

Gry

GaryO,
Get real.....there are NO driver disks for hard drives.....not for the last 20+ years anyway. All IDE drives, both hard drives and CD/DVD drives are handled very nicely by the default drivers included in Windows.

Put the drive on the CD cable and leave your hard drives alone.

There's a lot less chance of problems if you do that.

Jumper the extra drive as a master and put it on the END of the IDE cable that goes to the CD drive. Then do your data transfer, etc.

You don't have to mount the extra drive inside the case either. Leave it hang out the side of the PC, just be sure the circuit board on it doesn't short out against the case.
In this pic, I'm transferring data from one drive to another. Both are laying outside of the case.

YES, each drive has a two-fan cooler attached.
That's standard operating procedure around here.

Sometimes you just need to get a bit inventive. Hint Hint

Happy New Year!
Shadow

**kev1952** · 01-02-2009, 09:49 PM

Are you sure that both drives are ATA (or IDE)? You mention dip switches (which IDE drives don't have) - is the drive in question a SCSI drive? Check by comparing the cable socket(s) on the drives (where the ribbon cable plugs in) - they should both be the same.

12-24-2008, 02:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
GaryO Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp	Installing ata drive as slave to IDE master I'm trying to recover some data from a friends computer that no longer has a windows operating system. I had intended to install his hard drive in my back up computer. But his HD is ATA and my master is IDE. Suggestions anyone? I'm out of my comfort zone.

12-24-2008, 02:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,228 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Installing ata drive as slave to IDE master and welcome to the Forum ATA and IDE are just two words for the same thing . . It works best if you attach it in place of the CD drive . . __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

12-24-2008, 06:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
GaryO Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp	Re: Installing ata drive as slave to IDE master In place of one of the CD drives? I have two hard drives, I was just going to pull the 2nd hard drive and replace it with his drive and change the dip switches. Any problems with that? I figured Windows would detect "new hardware" and I'd insert the driver disk for that Hard Drive. Thanks, Gry

12-24-2008, 07:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,228 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Installing ata drive as slave to IDE master There is less chance of the pc trying to boot from the new drive if you connect it in place of a cd . . __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

01-02-2009, 09:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
kev1952 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Townsville, Australia Posts: 1,007 OS: Win Vista Home Premium	Re: Installing ata drive as slave to IDE master Are you sure that both drives are ATA (or IDE)? You mention dip switches (which IDE drives don't have) - is the drive in question a SCSI drive? Check by comparing the cable socket(s) on the drives (where the ribbon cable plugs in) - they should both be the same. __________________ Cheers.... Kev *"The Definition of an Upgrade: Take old bugs out, put new ones in."* Please don't send me PM's for support. Post in the forums for everyone to benefit.