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IDE hard drive connection options on Dimension 8400?
I just got my 8400, and would like to add my old IDE (parellel ATA) hard drive on there. To my dismay, the only available Primary IDE port is already filled by the two optical drives.
Here are some of the options I've found in the forum.
1. Get a PCI ATA board so there are some extra IDE ports to hook up the old IDE HD.
Pro: Easy and quick fix (about $40).
Can hook up multiple HDs (possible 2 channels each w/ master & slave)
Can hook up multiple HDs (possible 2 channels each w/ master & slave)
Cons: Takes up a PCI slot.
Some said that Dell mobo don't work well with some models.
Optical drives connected to this board may or may not work, or can't boot from CD.
Some said that Dell mobo don't work well with some models.
Optical drives connected to this board may or may not work, or can't boot from CD.
2. Get a IDE to SATA converter so the old IDE HD can be plugged to available port.
Pro: Easy fix (about $30)
Cons: Some said that the IDE drive is still not recognized.
The converter only works with a single HD at a time.
The converter only works with a single HD at a time.
3. Remove one of the optical drive and switch with the old IDE HD (set as cable select).
Pro: No need to buy new equipments.
Cons: You got a extra useless optical drive.
The remaining optical drive may slow down the IDE HD transfer rate.
The remaining optical drive may slow down the IDE HD transfer rate.
Okay, my gut feeling tells me to go for option (1). But here are my questions:
- Would the PCI adaptor slow down the IDE HD transfer rate at all?
- Would it be better to put the two optical drives on the PCI adaptor, and put the IDE HD on the existing Primary IDE port on board?
- If I put optical drives on the PCI adaptor, does it matter what transfer rate (100 or 133) the adaptor has?
- If only a single IDE HD is on the Primary IDE port on board, would it conflict with the SATA HD for boot drive?
- Some say that the Promise PCI adaptor only works with HD, not optical drives. What about SIIG's product?
Thanx in advance.
Message Edited by jjmai on 11-15-2004 05:40 PM
celianeron
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Posted November 15th, 2004 23:00
Hi, I just got my D-4700 today with an ATA HDD.The data I need to transfer from my Dead D-4100 is on a IDE HDD. What's the better solution to move/recover the(IDE) data in a temporary/permanant hookup to the new D4700(ATA). Can I use the Addonics IDE Serial-ATA Converter? Would that install in the HDD bay and be recognized by the system? Would the Highpoint RocketHead 100 IDE HD to Serial ATA Converter/Adapter work?I'd like to keep the IDE HDD as a storage backup. However, if it's not easy to do that, just getting to the files and loading them to the new 4700 would be fine. At this point,I really don't need more headaches. Thanks for the advice.Ron- I have an 8400 too, and I wanted to use my old IDE drive with it. My solution was to get a $40 IDE->USB 2.0 freestanding drive case from the local CompUSA store. You just put the old IDE in this case, plug in the included USB 2.0 cable, and power it up. WinXP detects it as a simple removeable storage device.The old IDE won't be internal to your new PC's case, but that might be a feature for you as it is me. It makes for cheap and easy removeable storage.
ejn63
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Posted November 15th, 2004 10:00
No.
- Would it be better to put the two optical drives on the PCI adaptor, and put the IDE HD on the existing Primary IDE port on board?
No.
- If I put optical drives on the PCI adaptor, does it matter what transfer rate (100 or 133) the adaptor has?
No.
- If only a single IDE HD is on the Primary IDE port on board, would it conflict with the SATA HD for boot drive?
No.
- Some say that the Promise PCI adaptor only works with HD, not optical drives. What about SIIG's product?
The Promise card has that reputation; the SIIG cards often do not work at all with Dells (or rather, haven't worked well with past models).