IDE vs. ATA/DMA

[JAZZnSAX]

OK, this may seem like a silly question, but I'm a software-head comfortable connecting hardware, but not really up on IDE, DMA, ATA, etc. So, here goes:

Older system is a Gateway Business Computer with CD-RW, LS-120 SuperDisk, and two 40G ATA/100 7200RPM Western Digital drives. The two drives are connected to a controller card, NOT the IDE cable. The CD-RW and LS-120 are on one IDE cable. So, I have this spare IDE cable slot. But, I believe that the controller card for the ATA drives disables that other IDE cable anyway. ??

New system is a Compaq with a CD-RW and DVD ROM sharing one IDE cable. The other IDE cable only has a 120G DMA drive on it right now.

If I put the controller card in this new system, does it indeed knock out one of the IDE slots, thus two IDE devices? What determines if the 40G ATA/100 drive can be connected to the spare slot on the Compaq IDE cable; pin count, technology, BIOS, other?

Ideally, I would like to move the 40G drives into this system in place of the 120G (which I will use elsewhere). But, I'm trying to determine if I'll then have a connectable slot for the LS-120, as it requires an IDE slot -- it cannot take over the standard floppy cable.

Thanks in advance!!

p.s. SCSI is not an option -- too expensive for the application being used.

 

[Accessdabbler]

Go ahead and put the IDE controller card in the new system. It was likely put into the old system because the old system was unable to read/accept a 40gig drive.

In doing so, you have the potential to have 8 IDE devices in your system. I'd put each device on a separate IDE channel. The two 40gig drives on IDE0 and IDE1 and put the CD-RW and the LS-120 on the Controller card. As long as all the devices use a separate cable they should all be set for Master.

 

[JAZZnSAX]

Cool! And, great idea on the Master per cable thing. Didn't even think of that.

Cheers.

 

[Accessdabbler]

You play saxophone?

You like Jazz?

My favourite band is called Manteca. They hail from Toronto. Try getting a couple of their songs - great stuff!

 

[JAZZnSAX]

Tenor and Alto.
Favorite sax artists include, but are not limited to:
Euge Groove,
Gerald Albright,
Kirk Whalum,
Richard Elliot, and
Michael Brecker.

Picked up the horn five years ago at age 32, never having played a musical instrument other than a CD player. Would've like to try guitar, but would be depressed that I could never approach being as good as Al Di Meola.

I'll check out Manteca in the near future.