new hard drive

[TonyV]

how difficulut is it 2 put new hard drive in putuer - machinics seem easy - have original copies of xp - hows it done - don't want to screw up - all data saved on zip drives - can i do it myself - or is it a specialist job

regards

Tony

 

[Softus]

You can do it yourself, just remove the power cable first and take anti-static precautions (i.e. use a wrist strap) when working inside the machine. And take your time about it.

One potential pitfall is that not all drives and machines are compatible, as a result of occasional changes in standards, interfaces, and evolutionary steps in MS Windows. However, if your machine came with XP then you unlikely to have a problem.

 

[TonyV]

ok will have a go then

 

[breezer]

it was not mentioned that not all m/c can have a 2nd hard drive, some el cheapo ones cant (so i believe)

but lets try it.

you need to connect it to the ide cable (flat gery one) and a power cable

both cables will only fit one way.

you will also need to set the jumper to master or slave

this depends on which ide cable and what position it goes.

if it goes on 2nd ide cable that has nothing else it will be master, if it goes on either ide cable along with something else, it will be slave

re boot pc should then see it, if its win xp it may want to format new drive, this is perfectly ok (so long as its the new drive it formats)

 

[Spark123]

If windows doesn't see it you may need to detect IDE devices in BIOS.

 

[Gees]

both cables will only fit one way.

Be carefull, the cheaper types of data lead can go either way round.
The rule for hard drives ALWAYS is the stripe on the data lead goes to the end of the IDE connector next to the power plug. There is NO drive made that is any other way.

 

[breezer]

perhaps i should have said "both cables should only fit one way"

 

[empip]

I guess a simple point is :- Ensure there is room for another drive before buying !

I found this site almost bottomless in terms of useful info'
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/IDE1.htm

More on HDD with pictures.
http://www.windowsxpmagazine.co.uk/tutorials/windows/twice_the_space

http://www.dvworkshop.co.uk/Computer/Adding_Drives___Cards/Hard_Drive/hard_drive.html

I have, as a semi interested amature, fitted an extra HDD in all PCs owned bar my first.
Easy job - so far.

Recently fitted an HDD controller card which enables full use of my twin HDD potential (big difference in throughput).

If you are trashing an old 'puter - strip it !! you'll be glad of the odds and ends - screws, disk brackets, connector plugs, jumpers etc
Why? If you buy (cheaper) OEM HDD there will be no extras ... tis nice to have the required fittings - brackets and CORRECT length screws !!

 

[Igorian]

A couple of things that are overlooked on all upgrades are:

1) Airflow. As most cases have the drive bays at the front, where air is drawn in, make sure that you don't restrict the flow. Also, if adding additional drives, try and leave a space between them in the bay.

2) PSU. While adding a second drive is not always a massive overhead, there are some really ropey power supplies around, which don't necessarily do what they say on the label. This is an area which is always overlooked and it can be a costly mistake if they pop. IMHO, this is an area where you shouldn't make cut backs.

 

[empip]

I upgraded the PSU .. required non standard connections to m/b for my Dell XPS.
http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S36D
As usual ... so far ... excellent kit and service from the USA.

Is your PSU up to the job??
Natty little wattage calculator here :-
http://journeysystems.com/power_supply_calculator.php

 

[TonyV]

thanks for all of those replies - reason replacing hard drive was that old one was shot.
had Pal that said he would do it for me - but obviously could'nt - when i boot machine now - it is a Packard Bell Imedia - I get following messages

last 2 lines which i guess are pertanent ones

Pri Master Drive - ATAPI Incompatible
Pri Slave Drive - ATAPI Incompatible

Anyone got advice on what to do?

Thanks

Tony

 

[Igorian]

Is there more than one drive (CD/DVD?) connected to the same data lead? If so, check the jumper configuration on both devices. One device must be set to master and the other to slave. It doesn't really matter which is which, but usually the main drive is set to master. Some drives not only have a master setting, but also have a setting for master with slave present. Another possibility is that one drive has been set to cable select and the other is set to master/slave. This doesn't always work.

Another possibility is that the BIOS settings are incorrect. Have you checked this?

It would help if you could post the drive model and the current configuration.

 

[TonyV]

thanks for reply Ignorian
Yes - 2 drives cd/dvd & hard drive on same data lead.
CD set to Master - DVD set to slave (DVD has cable select)
I have reset Bios to original settings
Old hard drive was Maxtor D540X - 4X
Replacement is Maxtor Diamond Max Plus 8
Hard drive setting on jumper CS Enabled

Hope this helps

Tony

 

[TonyV]

don't know whether this helps or not - system will load windows 98 disc - unfortunatley don't know code for this disc anymore - now will only boot into 98 - asking for code

any help?

Tony

 

[breezer]

i could be wrong, but i was always under the impression you cant have 3 devices on a ide cable, the way i read your post you have.

try putting the new hd on the primary master ide cable, (set as Ma) and the cd / dvd etc on the secondary ide cable.

or hd on primary as Ma and cd on primary as sl and dvd on secondary ide cable as ma, it may be the dvd cant be seen with out a driver