adding a hard drive, ie: help - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Midnight_Son · 01-08-2004, 06:27 AM

Question….
First let me say I’m not a complete idiot when it comes to computers…I just get “lost” every now and then…lol….ANYWAY, is it possible to take a working hard drive out of one PC and use it as a 2nd or slave in another? I tried it on my PC at home, both had windows 98 OS and I tried every configuration I could think of…ie: master/slave, cable select, ect….either the PC wouldn’t boot up, or it wouldn’t recognize the added drive at all.

I figured, before I tear my hair out…I thought I should ask if this will even work, and if it will, what I might be doing wrong.

Thanx in advance, Chris

Lasereth · 01-08-2004, 06:34 AM

Yes, it should work fine. As long as you keep the original HDD in the computer at the same jumper settings, there shouldn't be any problems. Make sure to install the second HDD with the correct jumper settings. Like you suggested, the jumper settings and cable settings are the most probable problem. In some computers, even after installing the new HDD correctly, you have to go into BIOS and select the HDD Auto-Detect feature. This will search for new HDDs and keep them in the BIOS settings after it detects it.

What is your original HDD set as on the cable? If it's set on the Primary IDE cable as Master, then I'd put the new HDD on the same cable as Primary Slave.

-Lasereth

Midnight_Son · 01-08-2004, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lasereth

What is your original HDD set as on the cable? If it's set on the Primary IDE cable as Master, then I'd put the new HDD on the same cable as Primary Slave.

-Lasereth

That’s exactly what I did the first time, it booted up but failed to recognize the added drive….hence my confusion.

Lasereth · 01-08-2004, 07:55 AM

Did you try using the BIOS HDD-auto detect? Like I said, my PC won't recognize new HDDs unless I do that in BIOS after I install it. If you have all of the jumper settings correct, then I don't know what to tell ya! Good luck!

-Lasereth

Midnight_Son · 01-08-2004, 08:25 AM

I remember an auto detect popping up automatically before windows loaded and seemed to work...perhaps your talking about something else that I’m unfamiliar with...?

Lasereth · 01-08-2004, 09:47 AM

Go into the BIOS/CMOS of your computer before Windows loads. There is an option within that allows HDD detecting. Most are called "HDD Auto Detect." When I install a new HDD, I have to physically connect it, and then do the auto-detect in BIOS before my PC will recognize it. This isn't the same with all computers, though -- just a suggestion.

-Lasereth

Midnight_Son · 01-08-2004, 10:00 AM

I'll try that tonight, thanks!

01-08-2004, 06:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
Midnight_Son The Cover Doesn't Match The Book Location: in a van down by the river	adding a hard drive, ie: help Question…. First let me say I’m not a complete idiot when it comes to computers…I just get “lost” every now and then…lol….ANYWAY, is it possible to take a working hard drive out of one PC and use it as a 2nd or slave in another? I tried it on my PC at home, both had windows 98 OS and I tried every configuration I could think of…ie: master/slave, cable select, ect….either the PC wouldn’t boot up, or it wouldn’t recognize the added drive at all. I figured, before I tear my hair out…I thought I should ask if this will even work, and if it will, what I might be doing wrong. Thanx in advance, Chris __________________ SWM, tattooed, seeks meaningful tits and beer. Enjoys biker mags, pornography, and Sunday morning walks to the liquor store. Winners of erotic hot dog eating contests given priority.

01-08-2004, 06:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Yes, it should work fine. As long as you keep the original HDD in the computer at the same jumper settings, there shouldn't be any problems. Make sure to install the second HDD with the correct jumper settings. Like you suggested, the jumper settings and cable settings are the most probable problem. In some computers, even after installing the new HDD correctly, you have to go into BIOS and select the HDD Auto-Detect feature. This will search for new HDDs and keep them in the BIOS settings after it detects it. What is your original HDD set as on the cable? If it's set on the Primary IDE cable as Master, then I'd put the new HDD on the same cable as Primary Slave. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

01-08-2004, 07:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Did you try using the BIOS HDD-auto detect? Like I said, my PC won't recognize new HDDs unless I do that in BIOS after I install it. If you have all of the jumper settings correct, then I don't know what to tell ya! Good luck! -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

01-08-2004, 08:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
Midnight_Son The Cover Doesn't Match The Book Location: in a van down by the river	I remember an auto detect popping up automatically before windows loaded and seemed to work...perhaps your talking about something else that I’m unfamiliar with...? __________________ SWM, tattooed, seeks meaningful tits and beer. Enjoys biker mags, pornography, and Sunday morning walks to the liquor store. Winners of erotic hot dog eating contests given priority.

01-08-2004, 09:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Go into the BIOS/CMOS of your computer before Windows loads. There is an option within that allows HDD detecting. Most are called "HDD Auto Detect." When I install a new HDD, I have to physically connect it, and then do the auto-detect in BIOS before my PC will recognize it. This isn't the same with all computers, though -- just a suggestion. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

01-08-2004, 10:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
Midnight_Son The Cover Doesn't Match The Book Location: in a van down by the river	I'll try that tonight, thanks! __________________ SWM, tattooed, seeks meaningful tits and beer. Enjoys biker mags, pornography, and Sunday morning walks to the liquor store. Winners of erotic hot dog eating contests given priority.