Installing internal hard drive (page 2)

Author	Post
jayo All-Star Member 2117 Posts 7/04	Posted - Apr 27 2007 : 9:20PM Order one of everything they have. [Link]
RandomPrecision Senior Member Enjoy! 8175 Posts 3/06	Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 3:44AM I'll never understand how people can wait for something to arrive by mail order. I'd be pulling my hair out by the time it got here.....no matter how simple a thing it was. I don't even like waiting for water to boil. I would have to be saving a heck of a lot. And I still don't think I'd be able to cope with the waiting. [Link]
jrv Senior Member 1266 Posts 2/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 1:55AM justalurker wrote: Exactly the same. Just make sure you turn off the power and unplug everything before doing it. Click to expand Just want to stress this. Modern computers aren't completely off unless unplugged, even if no fans spin and nothing is lit. Unplug it even if it looks off. conquistador wrote: And you can do [grounding] easily by leaving your computer plugged in while you are doing servicing but unplugging the big connection between the PSU and your motherboard. this means that while you are touching your computer's internal workings and the case you are grounded. Click to expand I don't recommend this. Some of the power lines are "live" in this connector when the PSU is connected to A/C power and unplugging the internal connector this way is not recommended due to the transients and such introduced to the motherboard. The PSU is designed to simply be unplugged but a motherboard is not. I recommend instead unplugging the PSU only after thoroughly grounding yourself on the (metal!) chassis, or after opening up the chassis and touching the PSU casing. Sensi wrote: I really like raptor 10,000 or 15,000 RPM drives though. Click to expand There are no Raptor 15k drives. All available 15k drives are SCSI. nietzsche wrote: Bill why are the power connectors different on those models? Click to expand The older Molex connectors have a very low lifetime insertion count, low enough to be exhausted in the factory assembling the computer if the factory isn't careful. The metal that wraps around the inserted pin spreads after a few insertions and makes unreliable contact (think: used whore, loose pussy ). Also the openings on the Molex connector are so large that unused connectors can flop loosely in the chassis and actually short against test points on the motherboard or such(!). There's good reason to transition away from the Molex power connector but it can't be done all at once in the PC world. If the drive has both a Molex and a SATA power connector I recommend using the SATA although you can use the Molex instead if desired. That Molex connector is probably 30 years old if not more: Molex Inc is probably embarrassed to have their name tied to it now. nietzsche wrote: I hope mine comes with all the bells and whistles or else I'm going to be bugging you people. Click to expand If the drive whistles or clangs like it has a bell I'd return it [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 7:00PM OK I ordered the adapter cables from meritline on Sunday, but it seems as though the order didn't go through because i received no email , my bank account has nothing deducted from it and they have no record of my order. So I decide to go into my small local computer and ask for a SATA adapter for my IDE drive and he says they don't exist. I'm confused. I guess it's an IDE drive, I'm not really sure any my Everest program isn't giving up any info on that matter. [Link]

nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 7:02PM FYI I have 39-pin connectors on my master drive, and a 6-pin connector for the power. [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 8:42PM This is what you're looking for. Molex to SATA power adapter. [Link]
Harri Patel Senior Member #SDNY he's all yours. -- Michael Steele 5110 Posts 3/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 8:56PM Look at the third post in this thread, which has links to what the business ends of IDE and SATA drives look like. What kind is the existing drive, and what kind is the new one? If you're trying to add an SATA drive to a system that currently only has an IDE drive, you need: 1. SATA data cable (not an adapter), which connects the data port on the back of the drive to the SATA connector on the motherboard; and 2. An SATA power connector from the computer's power supply. The plug will be black, rather than white, and about an inch wide. See this page; the second and third images from the right show the difference between the white Molex power connector used by the IDE drive and the black one used by an SATA drive. Your computer probably has SATA power connectors, but they may be bundled up right where the wires come out of the power supply. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 9:03PM How do I tell what kind of drive I have, definitively? [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 9:04PM HOw will I find where the MB SATA drive connector is? [Link]
Harri Patel Senior Member #SDNY he's all yours. -- Michael Steele 5110 Posts 3/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 9:25PM If you click on the "enlargement" thing on that motherboard link, it pops up a (very) slightly larger photo of the motherboard. The big round thing on the lower left corner is the battery that preserves the date, time, and other settings when the machine is unplugged; just above and to the left of it are two black vertical strips, which I think are the SATA connectors. [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 9:26PM Look for these things. Which should be on the lower right of the board when your computer case is open and upright. A big picture. [Link]
justalurker Member 241 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 9:26PM jrv thus wrote: I recommend instead unplugging the PSU only after thoroughly grounding yourself on the (metal!) chassis, or after opening up the chassis and touching the PSU casing. Click to expand The only time you should unplug the power connector to the motherboard is when you are either: a: replacing the power supply b: replacing the motherboard Anything else can lead to unnecessary accidents. This isn't directed at you jrv. Just thought I should clarify that point, maybe save someone from expense and headaches in the future. Edited by - justalurker on 5/1/2007 9:30:28 PM [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 10:20PM Look for these things. Which should be on the lower right of the board when your computer case is open and upright. A big picture. Click to expand OK I found these things. Now all I need is the power adapter, correct? [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 10:33PM nietzsche: I'm not sure about weather you need a power adapter. There is a fairly high likelihood that your current power supply has SATA power connections on it. The connector you should be looking for coming out of your power supply is the one on the right in this picture. This page has some pictures you might find handy, I didn't read any of it though. [Link]

conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 10:37PM If you do decide that you need a power adapter this is what you'll be looking for. I needed one a few weeks ago on short notice (I broke part of the edge on the one I was using and it wouldn't stay connected) I got a new power adapter at an internet cafe in the middle of the night for 2.00$ CDN. I guess what I am saying is that you probably won't have to mail order it if you want it right away. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 10:39PM nietzsche: I'm not sure about weather you need a power adapter. There is a fairly high likelihood that your current power supply has SATA power connections on it. The connector you should be looking for coming out of your power supply is the one on the right in this picture. This page has some pictures you might find handy, I didn't read any of it though. Go To Top Click to expand I swear I don't see anything like that, but I'll have another look. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 10:47PM Still don't see it. I have one more three pronged power connector, so I guess that's what I'm going to use it for. [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 1 2007 : 10:48PM Maybe you need one of those adapters. The only other advice I have about finding it is that (unless you put your machine together yourself) often times techs bundle loose/unused cords up and out of the way. So it may be "hiding out" somewhere. It will definitely have red yellow and black wired so you can always trace your leads one by one to make sure it hasn't just turned invisible. And sometimes the power cords will connect at a 90 degree angle instead of straight. Like this. Edited by - conquistador on 5/1/2007 10:49:20 PM [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 6:39PM OK I got it installed, and it's showing up in my device list. But I don't see it in My Computer. Next? [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 6:44PM restart and hold delete, make sure your machine knows what do with it. Sorry neech, this is kind of vague but I have no idea what your BIOS options look like. Also did you try to right click and then format it? Fixed spelling Edited by - conquistador on 5/2/2007 6:45:06 PM [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 7:06PM With my SATA drives, I used packing tape to hold all the cords into their respective spots, I had problems with loose cords and slippage. I'm sure no tech support sites will tell you to pull out a roll of tape but I use quick and dirty fixes when I can't be bothered to get things like locking SATA connectors (they do exist). [Link]
Harri Patel Senior Member #SDNY he's all yours. -- Michael Steele 5110 Posts 3/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 7:33PM You need to format the drive before you can use it. [Link]
cobalt60 Knuckle Dragger 2046 Posts 2/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 7:48PM Don't forget to tell him about submerging the drive in a tub full of lime jell-o before installing it. And taking pictures of it. And posting them. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 8:43PM How do you format? Does it have to be lime? [Link]

conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 8:45PM Right click My Computer->Manager->Disk Management [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 8:45PM In the BIOS it's listed as the 4th Master IDE, but shouldn't it be 1st Slave IDE? 2nd and 3rd are my CD and DVD. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 8:46PM The drive isn't showing up in there. Only the C: [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 8:47PM For better information use Windows Help and Support searching for "Manage disks" and then look in the How to... section. [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 8:48PM As far as I know there is no such thing as a SATA slave. Both my sata drives are listed as masters in the bios. [Link]
cobalt60 Knuckle Dragger 2046 Posts 2/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 8:49PM Nah - strawberry-kiwi will do in a pinch. You're in good hands here, I've got to make cheese bread. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 8:51PM As far as I know there is no such thing as a SATA slave. Both my sata drives are listed as masters in the bios. Click to expand In that case, I guess it's ok that it's listed as 4th IDE Master. [Link]
justalurker Member 241 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 9:00PM That's pretty much normal, when I set my SATA drives up I kept losing IDE chains, still have no idea how I got everything recognized. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 9:23PM We're in the process of formatting. Keep your fingers crossed. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 9:42PM I'm formatting this thing as 'dynamic', if that means anything to you. [Link]

cobalt60 Knuckle Dragger 2046 Posts 2/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 9:48PM Dynamic is good. It just means you'll never be able to use it as a 'basic' drive. Never mind. Watch the progress bar. You're halfway to an I.T. career. Watching progress bars. [Link]
cobalt60 Knuckle Dragger 2046 Posts 2/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 9:49PM 'Never' was such a strong word. I meant 'without formatting it again first'. But you won't want to do that anytime soon. [Link]
justalurker Member 241 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 10:37PM mmmmm, dynamic... You can do a lot with dynamic drives. [Link]
cobalt60 Knuckle Dragger 2046 Posts 2/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 11:12PM Yeah, sure. Like adding them to software RAID arrays. Get more drives and you can have RAID arrays. don't ask, I'm too tipsy to type that much. [Link]
Harri Patel Senior Member #SDNY he's all yours. -- Michael Steele 5110 Posts 3/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 11:57PM Odds that Neech is formatting his C: drive: 5:2. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 2 2007 : 11:59PM I finished a little while ago and it was a complete success. I want to thank you all for your guidance and support and I seriously doubt that I would have been able to do it without you. Now wait until I build a whole new computer. [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 3 2007 : 4:06AM If you keep learning how to install and troubleshoot one component at a time pretty soon you will be able to put whole systems together. I also kind of enjoy helping you with this. This sort of computer help irritates the hell out of me in person because I can't use links to explain my points. It might be a good time to see if your mother board's [invalid URL removed]BIOS are up to date. ASUS had a handy tool that you can download (you probably have it on the support CD already) which makes flashing (updating/changing) BIOS fairly simple. If you want to get the most out of your machine you should make sure your BIOS file and various drivers are up to date. [Link]
cobalt60 Knuckle Dragger 2046 Posts 2/03	Posted - May 3 2007 : 10:04AM I've often wished I could telepath urls into people's heads while I was troubleshooting, but I'm afraid of what else might leak over, like "is that a picture of your wife on your desk? She's kind of hot." [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - May 3 2007 : 7:33PM While I still have your attentions, i noticed the heat sink on my motherboard is about 80% caked with dust. Anything special I should know about cleaning it? I assume I can just unclip the fan that sits on top.... [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 3 2007 : 7:35PM Neech, unless you have thermal paste handy don't remove your heat sink. Buy some canned air/compressed gas/duster and clean the fins with that. [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 3 2007 : 7:37PM Here is an article about it which is different then my advice, canned air works for me. Cleaning a Pentium 4 heatsink. [Link]
conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - May 3 2007 : 7:42PM If you do decide to do a thorough job it might be worth buying some heatsink/thermal paste/grease (I've seen the stuff called all sorts of things) and clean off what is on your CPU now and reapply some new stuff. There is a chance you'll notice some performance increase too. I don't know that much about this, fussing with the CPU makes me nervous so I clean with compressed gas and don't worry about being 100% thorough. [Link]