Additional 120GB harddrive

[Jack4242442]

I'm trying to install a new 120GB Maxtor DiamondMax10 (6L120P0) harddrive into my Dell Dimension 3000 PC... I can get to the point where the computer BIOS will tell me there are two harddrives and a "CDROM" drive (Actually it's a BenQ DVD8631 dvd burner), which is all true. But when I boot into WindowsXP (which is running off the original harddrive on here), either the new harddrive doesn't show up OR the dvd burner doesn't show up, in device manager, but never both of them. I want to make it so that both harddrives AND the dvd burner are all useable at the same time.

I've changed around the jumpers on all three drives, and have tried all three on Cable Select.. Absolutely clueless on this one... Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

 

[rclarke250]

Try the DVD on a chain by itself,as master. Original hdd as master at the end of the primary ide chain, with new hdd jumpered as slave on the primary ide chain connected to the middle connector.

 

[cdogg]

Yeah, the position on the cable can make a difference too, as rclarke250 pointed out. The slave drive should be on the middle connector, and the master on the end. I realize I'm just repeating information here, but having the two hard drives on the same IDE channel might be your best option in terms of compatibility. For optimum performance though, both hard drives should be on separate controllers.

Also, make sure you have formatted the new hard drive properly.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[Jack4242442]

thanks guys, i'll go and get some new (longer) IDE cables, and i'll report back the results

 

[cdogg]

Jack,
I don't believe anyone suggested buying new or longer cables (the max length of an IDE cable is limited anyway, and you risk stability if you go beyond the standard length).

The suggestion was to rearrange the position of devices on the IDE cables. If you're having a problem with one of the cables reaching a device, then I suggest you rearrange the location of that device in the case instead so that it does reach. If you're case has problems with that, you may want to consider replacing it with a mid-tower.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[Jack4242442]

I tried it and now I got to the point to where both harddrives and the DVD burner will show up on the device list in the BIOS. Computer boots up like normal on the main harddrive and the new harddrive is indeed showing up and working like normal, but the DVD Drive still isn't showing up anywhere- MyComputer, Device Manager, or even Disk Management (right click MyComputer, click on Manage, etc..) however the drive acts as if there is a disk in it because the green light is showing on the front as if it was reading. I mentioned getting a longer IDE cable because I only have the IDE cables that were supplied with the computer- a short 5inch(approx.) cable, and a normal length cable. The short one is originally connected to the main harddrive and only has one input so only one drive can plug into this cable. The other one has two like normal ones do.

Just to prevent headaches, will it work the if i just put everything on CS instead of doing the Master\Slave crap?

 

[Jack4242442]

LOL I just got it to work... I was sitting here thinking of reinstalling XP Pro and what programs I would reinstall, and then I thought about WinXP Manager, and it hit me: Theres a bloody option called "Disable auto-detect all IDE drives during startup" ... I turned this option off, applied the new settings and rebooted the computer. Lo and bloody behold, all three drives are showing up and working properly! LOL!! Thanks for all the help everyone!