2 harddrives 1 computer

[xinside]

I just recently bought a new harddrive. but it is only 30 gigs and I am buying alot of games. My old disk is kinda slow but it has windows on it installed and everything. How do I add it to my computer? I want it for extra storage space. Is there anyway I can add it and have it there for I can just store things on it? and when i need the files just go to my computer and have it be there? like the d drive? haha its hard to explain I guess. I just never did this before so I have no clue on how to do it. Also. I have a small case.. there is no more room to put the other HD inside.. would it be safe to just have it set down on the desk near the comp? I dont want to go on windows with this disk .. I just want it for I can store files and get to them when i need them.. like mp3s and such.. thank you..

 

[prinsipe]

just plug it in and windows will take care of the rest.

 

[Smelly-Finger]

Just be careful when you do and make sure you format it and partation it !!!

I'm the proud owner of a 120gb simple dynamic drive coz I forgot to partation it

 

[Vector_One]

I'm shocked that you don't have room for it in the case. Every case I've seen made in the last several years has had room for at least 2 drives. But if you really don't have room for it, you can always buy an external USB enclosure for it. Or you can buy metal brackets to install it in a 5.25 bay (a CD-ROM bay).

But double check. I'll bet you've got a drive cage that will allow another drive to be installed.

 

[xinside]

well normally i would have room.. BUT the HD i have now has a fan on it. cause my other HD burnt up so i bought a fan cause im paranoid hah.. this harddrive that I have is already formated and partitioned.. Infact it has windows XP on it.. setting the HD on the desk wont be a good idea? heh. so.. the wire that I have to the HD now.. the middle of the wire has a plug.. just plug the 2nd HD to that plug? then it will be done? when I startup to windows that HD will be shown in my computer like the D drive? dont I have to set the jumpers on the back of the HD or something?

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Middle connection - new drive.

Yes you have to set the jumpers. Have a close look at the end of both. You should be able to figure it out.

You can change the drive letter if necessary when booted into xp.

 

[xinside]

I have the 30gb HD in there now. thats the new one. The drivers are set to master. In order to put the old HD I have in. The 40gb one. I have to set the jumpers on it to slave and plug it in the middle one right? but I have no clue where to put the jumpers on the old HD to make it slave. It doesnt say anywhere. Also theres words on it that says "slave - off".

 

[xinside]

If it says slave = off ... does that mean i cant make it into a slave? or something heh.. cause all I want is more space to put things on.. I dont want this to be a boot up device with an OS on it.. even though theres one on it now

 

[prinsipe]

most drives when left with no jumpers are automatically configured as slave.

 

[xinside]

will having windows xp installed on the disk im trying to connect mess anything up? would it still store files on the HD?

 

[Vector_One]

I'm also surprised that this new hard drive didn't come with an installation manual. You may want to check the manufacturer's website for specific installation details (like jumper settings - some can be set to "cable select").

 

[xinside]

I already did... and it didnt come with it cause i got it from a warehouse

 

[Zedric]

- I doesn't matter where on the cable you plug the disks.
- If you put the jumpers wrong, the BIOS just won't find the disk. The Windows disk won't be disturbed.
- Just pulling the jumpers out to get slave is not a good idea. My WD takes that as master, my Seagate takes that as slave, so it's very different.