Adding a 2nd HD

[Ronje]

I currently have a SATA HD on my computer and I need more space. I have a 3 years old EIDE HD lying around at home. Is it possible to add the old HD to my computer? or maybe it can cause problems?

 

[donkey42]

yeah, no problem, you can add that HDD, assuming you have a IDE controller on your mobo, just connect it to the IDE connector & connect the 4 pin molex connector & assuming your using XP SP2, then, go though this to let XP know the extra HDD is there

 

[Ronje]

Thanks, will try :)

 

[Ronje]

Ok I'm not done :P

Opening the box I found the following:
My DVD and DVD writer are connected with one IDE controller.
my floppy drive (3 yo computer), connected to another controller with only one connector.
There was no place for another IDE controller.

Should I replace the controller of the floppy device to another with 2 connectors to which I'll be able to connect the HDD? though I'm not sure its even an IDE thingy.

Or maybe it means its a lost cause, and my motherboard doesn't allow EIDE HDD's?

Thanks for the help.

 

[donkey42]

Ok I'm not done :P

Opening the box I found the following:
My DVD and DVD writer are connected with one IDE controller.

you could disconnect your DVD-ROM drive & place the HDD on the IDE cable where the DVD was, but before you connect the HDD, check the DVD back to see if the jumper is setting the drive as master or slave

BTW: the controller is built onto the motherboard IDE cables are the items you refer to

if the disconnected DVD drive is set to master or slave, set the HDD to be the same as the DVD

my floppy drive (3 yo computer), connected to another controller with only one connector.

another alternative is to add another HDD controller into a PCI slot, like this and that card also support RAID 0/1

There was no place for another IDE cable.

so, your 2 options are

• buy a PCI controller
• permanently or temporarily disconnect 1 DVD (preferably not the burner)

Should I replace the controller of the floppy device to another with 2 connectors to which I'll be able to connect the HDD? though I'm not sure its even an IDE thingy.

you are correct, it isn't IDE. there are (i think) 4 speeds of IDE 33, 66, 100 & 133, 33 can transfer upto 33Mb per sec, & has 40 little wires / connectors, however, 66 can transfer upto 66Mb per sec & has 66, 100 & 133 all have 80 connectors

Thanks for the help.

np, it's something to do

 

[Tech]

Hey donkey.

Don't want to be a smart arse but there are actually quite a few more DMA speeds through the history of ATA.

THree for Single-word DMA, three for multi-word DMA and seven for ultra DMA.

The speeds you mentioned were all from ATA 4 onwards (Ultra DMA) and were the top speeds for those particular standards (ATA 4,5,6 and 7). If you're interested theres something to be reading about when boredom grips you, otherwise disregard this post :x:

 

[donkey42]

DMA speeds

:confused:, all DMA & UDMA does is allow the HDD controller to access RAM (DMA = Direct Memory Access)

Don't want to be a smart arse

no, please feel free, HWF is a forum, so, everyone learns

there are actually quite a few more DMA speeds through the history of ATA.

i think you mean ATA speed, & yes there are more ATA speeds

THree for Single-word DMA, three for multi-word DMA and seven for ultra DMA.

i think you are referring to ATA 1 & 2 there

The speeds you mentioned were all from ATA 4 onwards (Ultra DMA) and were the top speeds for those particular standards (ATA 4,5,6 and 7).

ATA 7 maximum rate is SATA 150 and SATA1 operates at a burst rate, not a constant speed, so, the speed of SATA1 is comparable with PATA 133

If you're interested theres something to be reading about when boredom grips you, otherwise disregard this post

no, it's fun trying to beat each other at research & it's something to do

Sources here, here & here

 

[Tech]

Single-word DMA was only used in the original ATA standard from the very late 80s. Multi word DMA came after with ATA 2. Both of these also used Programmed input output modes, which quite frankly I dont understand so if you know anything about those please share :)

I admit I forgot about serial :doh: regarding the ATA 7 standard so that'll be quicker. Is SATA II also included the ATA 7?

And just to mop up, I mentioned DMA speeds because as far as I'm aware that was how the informal naming came about. ATA 4's top DMA speed was 33.3MBps hence ATA33. Having said that I'm not even sure if it is an 'informal' naming scheme, maybe its an official name :x:


oh and one last thing. Any ideas what the SATA burst rate actually refers to? What does it physically mean to the data transfer?

 

[donkey42]

Single-word DMA was only used in the original ATA standard from the very late 80s. Multi word DMA came after with ATA 2. Both of these also used Programmed input output modes, which quite frankly I dont understand so if you know anything about those please share

well, single & multi word DMA was only implemented in ATA 1 & 2

I admit I forgot about serial regarding the ATA 7 standard so that'll be quicker. Is SATA II also included the ATA 7?

no, & SATA3 will be 6Gb/s but it will transfer data at a constant rate & not the theoretical maximum rate (unlike SATA1)

And just to mop up, I mentioned DMA speeds because as far as I'm aware that was how the informal naming came about. ATA 4's top DMA speed was 33.3MBps hence ATA33. Having said that I'm not even sure if it is an 'informal' naming scheme, maybe its an official name

don't know & don't care, I just call them P / S ATA

oh and one last thing. Any ideas what the SATA burst rate actually refers to?

it means the data transfer rate is the theoretical maximum that could be achieved in ideal circumstances (perfect world) & only SATA1 was restricted by the burst rate with SATA2 & 3 they are the actual transfer rates achieved (3Gb/s & 6Gb/s)

Edit: anything else, just ask

 

[smitha]

You can add one more HD...