Using two hard drives w/ diff. combo ata & sata

[snowtime]

I currently have a 120gb ata hard drive that's getting quite full w/ media (i love movies I was thinking about installing another hard drive, maybe a large 400gb sata hard drive -
is this possible to do without disrupting the operating system etc that's on the master drive?

Also can I use an ata and a sata hard drive simultaneously?

Finally if I were to replace the master hard drive w/ say a very fast 10,000 rpm hard drive like a raptor to run my operating system etc, and used the other larger slower hard drive for mass storage, would I notice speed improvements? I'm not looking to do a raid or anything, just use a fast small hard drive, and a large slower hard drive

Thanks for the tips and comments - always appreciated!

 

[rvnguy]

snowtime,

You did not state what OS you are using, if you are using Win XP. the following answer should clarify. If other than XP, please Identify.

1. You can use IDE(ATA) and SATA on the same system if your MOBO supports it.

2. This is possible with out disrupting to OS install as long as the new drive is installed for additional storage and not to replace the boot drive. MS XP might cause you to have to reactivate and then again maybe not.

3. Once installed, you can move "your files" to the new drive

4. You did not mention the type/spped of the current Mstr drive. As it is 120gb I would venture a guess that it is ATA 100 or 133 and even the "RAPTORS" are 133 for ATA or "150" for SATA's. Observed improvements in speed/throughput would be minimal, for what you posted as the main use of this machine. There would be a possible increase just don't know if you would get your bang for the buck.

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all