can I use 2 hard drives in a non-raide config and how do I set that up?

[1eyedjak]

I have an extra HD that I would like to use on my system as a back up for files I download and that sort of stuff so if I have to erase or reformat my main HD I have them on file and do not have to burn a disk for all of the files.

I have 2 cd-rom drives and 1 single HD that I want to run together.

what do I need to do to the extra drive and how should I install it with the other 3 drives.

sorry for the noob question.

Mike Z

[Cjwinnit]

All you should need to do is plug the new hard drive in as a slave on the same ribbon as the OS hard disk, then partition and format it. No need to do a RAID.

[sammy5gs]

Just a couple of questions back to you to start off:

1 - Your mobo does indeed have Primary and Secondary IDE channels, at which you have one available slot left on your IDE cables, correct? (since you already have 2 cd-roms and 1 hdd).

2 - Is this extra hdd formatted?

Bottomline, you will plug in your HDD to the one IDE channel that has an available adapter (the cable that does not have two optical devices hooked up to it). After that, you would load your bios to ensure that it is being recognized. From there, based on whether or not this drive is formatted, you would place a startup disk (Win 98, Win ME, WinXP CD, etc) and Fdisk the hdd (if not formatted) to apply a Fat32 partition initially (change drive letters, etc). Now, when you FDISK, you have to make sure it is the extra drive and not your old HDD! Then, you would format it, and upon reboot, your OS should recongize it as an extra drive and you should be set.

Now, more technically, you will want to make a decision on whether or not you want this extra hdd to be a slave, master, or cs, as some people have opinions on what makes more sense. I personally never set my hdds to be slaves when other non-hdd optical drivers are installed, but that is just me.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[1eyedjak]

so , how would you set it up?

1 40gig
1 cd-rom drive
1 cd-rw drive
1 3gig

I really don't know what way is best as far as which ones should be slave and together on the same channel.

I don't want the slower 3gig on the same channel as the 40gig ,correct?

thanks and sorry for the beginner questions. I don't have time to redo it all. I am working on another system.

just trying to do a few things to my main rig.

mike

[sammy5gs]

Originally posted by 1eyedjak
so , how would you set it up?

1 40gig
1 cd-rom drive
1 cd-rw drive
1 3gig

I really don't know what way is best as far as which ones should be slave and together on the same channel.

I don't want the slower 3gig on the same channel as the 40gig ,correct?

thanks and sorry for the beginner questions. I don't have time to redo it all. I am working on another system.

just trying to do a few things to my main rig.

mike

Primary Channel
40 Gig (Assumming this is your current hdd w/ OS on it) - Master
CD-RW (Slave)

Seconardy Channel
3 Gig (Assumming this is your extra hdd) - MAster
CD-Rom (Slave)

You are going to have to ensure the jumpers on each device are appropriate. Also, you should not put Master devises on the middle IDE adapter on the IDE cable, as that would slow things down a bit.

Again, this is just what I would do. From there, you will want to ensure you POST and go into Bios, where it recognizes all 4 drives in the appropriate fashion. After that, you would go along with the fdisk/formatting if the second HDD is not formatted.

[1eyedjak]

thanks! I will do it that way!!!!!!!!!!!\


preciate the help!


Mike