I have an additional hdd I want to install in my Dell pc (windows xp professional). The system has separate dvd and cd rw drives in it on one cable. The original hard drive cable only has one end on it (hooked up to original hdd). If I aquire a cable with two ends can I just hook up the second drive? (orig. master, new drive slave). I want to use the 2nd hdd to store pictures and music. What do I have to do to the 2nd hdd once installed, i.e. partition, format, etc?
grasp HDD connects to the tip of the ribbon cable. Slavecontinual connects to the mid-connector. it is terrific to connect grasp to the capability connector closest to capability grant (much less cord resistance).
IDE or SATA? The cable type is obvious when you see it, IDE is always allowing master/slave 2 drive configuration while SATA is point-to-point one mobo connector to one drive system, you may need partition || format depending the status of this drive that you buy.
Yes - If the second cable is indeed an IDE cable then you can connect the second hard drive to a new cable with the standard three connectors (IDE header, master, slave) assuming the other hard drive is and IDE drive.
Yes, if you get the correct kind of cable this will work. The storage drive that will be used as a slave has to have its jumper set to slave. Yes, you will have to format the drive in NTFS - no need to partition it unless you want to have separate areas for different types of files. Just formatting the new drive will be enough to get you on your way.
Yes, you can do it just the way you outlined it. Your new drive may come with a cable, but it could also be just a single connector. Be sure to get an 80 pin cable for the newer drives, make sure your main hard disc is at the end of the cable and don't forget to change the jumper on your new drive to the slave position. You can partition your new drive and format it from within Windows. If you want the entire drive on a single partition allocate all the space to the partition. Or, you can divide the space into several partitions (I alway use a small part of a drive dedicated for the Windows virtual memory file.) Each partition will show as a separate drive letter. After you have created your partition(s) then format it with NTFS and use the default block size.
