Hi, I hope someone can help me w

[Marjo]

Hi,

I hope someone can help me with a question.

Im planning to install a new HDD (120Gb) and wonder if it is possible.
I have a MK Asus P2B ATX PII mobo with a Intel CPU PII/400 MHz. I was told there is a need for an additional "control card" when installing a HDD of this size. Does anyone know something about this additional card needed? If there is a "control card" available for this purpose i could use some advice in any brands available and if anyone now what kind of connectors a card like this would use?

Any help is much appreciated,
Thanks in advance
// Marie

 

[gargouille]

So long as it's not a SCSI drive...you can just use the ide connection that's on the motherboard.
Unless you're running the newest bios (1014) you'll need to flash the bios with the new one.
Asus web site tells how...and from what I could gather before the Asus site boinked me (actually did it to Internet Explorer) it was looking like the new bios would accommodate up to 128 Gb hd.
IF it is indeed a SCSI drive, you'll need a controller card...a PCI plug in.

 

[TyrantSSV]

If you'll use the built-in IDE controller with new (1014) BIOS, your new 120 Gb HD will work using UDMA33 mode only.
If you have an oldest BIOS (not recognizing HDs over 32 Gb and hungs up when detecting HD 120 Gb) you can buy an additional PCI-IDE controller. It'll let you run the new HD at its normal speed (UDMA66/100/133 mode) and withour reflasing BIOS.

Good Luck!

 

[Marjo]

Thank you for your answers!

I have a few more questions now though:

I only have 4 PCI-slots; 3 of them is in use now and I want to install a videocard as well.... so I´m really hoping that it is possible to install the HD without the PCI-IDE controller! The new bigger HD will be mainly for storing films and music. Does it matter that the HD will work using UDMA33 only then? Do I need it to run at normal (UDMA66/100/133) speed? When using the new HD, it will be at the same speed as I´m using now, right? Can I use the new HD as a slave and use my old Fujitsu 13GB HD as a master. That must be easier I think!...

P.S Does it matter if the HD runs at 5400 rpm or 7200?

/M

 

[gargouille]

That's a trade-off...I started to mention that you'd be throttling down the new HD...
The downside of your intent with the new video card is that the AGP slot is so close to the 1st PCI slot you can't use it.
(I guess it's motherboard design I'm complaining about, here, huh?)
Marjo, can you afford a new motherboard?

 

[Marjo]

Hi gargouille!

Hmm, maybe I asked an obvious question, but I´m not very experienced in hardware matters and thought that it would be better to ask too many times than to few...(and I´m from Sweden so maybe I miss some variations in the language). But I guess with the new BIOS it should be alright and I can watch movies from my 120 GB HD....
OK,thanks!

/M

 

[Marjo]

BTW there seem to be no problems to fit a videcard as well! And a new motherboard - no, not for the moment.

/M