2 HD step by step set up?

I feel like a idiot with so many topics I've started today. But I don't really know how this place works yet I figured I'd just ask. Does anyone know a step by step way to install a second hd? what cables I need etc. the drive is just going to be used to hold data and stuff, no OS. and is there a way I can run programs off it? it not oh well. any help would be great!

 

Ya might Start by posting your system specs.
Do you already have a second HDD?


Here looks like good guide:
http://compreviews.about.com/od/tutorials/ss/DIYSecHD.htm

Here's other guides maybe will be handy in your Future, add to your favorites
http://compreviews.about.com/od/tutorials/

 

Thanks for the sites, just what I needed. The hd I'm putting in here is a 40gb. Now I just need to get some wires to hook up the other hd, the one that runs from HD--- white port. should be cheap. I hope walmart has it :S. Thanks for the links again.

 

If the other drive is not a SATA drive, but an IDE drive, the IDE cable should have three connectors on it, and the power supply should have a spare power cable. You should not have to buy any extra adapters to hook up the other drive.

 

huh? the hd that is connected has is a ide drive, but that wire is connected to the HD-CD-Black port. I seen another power thing on the PS, but I see no way as to hook this baby up to the other stuff.

 

update****

well I unplugged the cd drive, and than I plugged in the hd...nothing happened, I ran BIOS and did the auto detect it set this to slave, and when I boot to windows I cant see the HD. any help?

 

If you post your system Specs or brand model, this will help


Most MOBO's will have two IDE ports ( you can have two devices/HDD or CD on each port)
Most will have the HDD on the Primary port, then the other IDE port will have the CD/dvd drives
For best performance HDD's on one port CD or dvd on the other

Most IDE cable have or can connect two drives, but some cables are for single devices only.

Windows cant see because the HDD probably not formated, go to Disk management, right click & format

 

little confused. where is Disk management?

ohh yea, my space is Brand:RackMaster Systems Inc
P3 1000 mhz
Ram: 256
Win XP
need anymore ask.

also, now that I have removed it (unplugged) the BIOS says disk fail or something, how do I get it to stop? I dont want to hint f1 for the rest of this this life...

 

Yikes an older Puter with XP

Start - Control Pannel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management - then click on Disk Management
You'll see you existing HDD disk 0, You should see your new drive there, disk 1 or something right click on it & select format

 

well I'll be damn, that worked...BUT, how do I make it so if I unplug it, BIOS doesn't say that error crap.

I know, this poor old thing, it just needs to last until September, than she'll be donated to a charity.

 

What error crap? or Something? Post exact error.

Unplug it? Why? need cable or what

 

I'll get the error later..toooo late to do anything now.

Yes I need another cable, so I can have cd and both hdds at same time. I just unplugged it right now because I never use it :S.

 

8ball, you need to be clearer. What do you mean so you can use CD drives and Hddrives at the same time? It sounds like this unit is a small-form unit, that only allows a limited amount of drives (ie 2). Post the specific model of the unit, and if you can, a picture to allow us to see what you are trying to do.

Installing two CDdrives & two hard drives are no problem. Set one on each for Master, the other for Slave, plug in power, and IDE cables, turn on, go into the bios to check to see if all are there, save, and let the OS boot.

 

I have the hd running fine. its just that there is not enough cables to hook up the cd drive and both hd at the same time. there is a white wire, that goes from black port--cd--hd, I unplugged the cd and did, black port---hd slave--hd master. it all works fine, but I would like to get a wire to connect the cd and the two hds at the SAME time. see what I mean now?

 

There should be two IDE ports on the motherboard. If not, then this computer was not made for more then two IDE devices period (key, one IDE port).

 

there is two ide ports on the motherboard. I was talking about getting another wire so I can connect the cd drive to the other ide port. Sorry If I make no sense. :S Please refer to my avatar

 

If the IDE cable only has two connectors on it, you will need to get a cable that allows for two IDE devices to be connected (RadioShack, Best Buy, or local Computer store). Even if you have a friend that collects computer crap like most of us, they should have a extra IDE cable laying around.

 

the hell? Me post is gone. anyways, there is ide ports on the motherboard. I just need to get a cable to run from cd to ide port two.

 

In order to do that, you need a IDE cable that allows for two devices, not one. There is no special splitter cable. As before, you can get them from a friend that may have one, Radio Shack, Best Buy, local computer vendor.

 

Ok, thanks for the info take care,

8Ball