adding new drive how to

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Member Since: Feb 02, 2006

hi everyone, need feedback on adding 2nd drive to my computer. i hear you guys talking about keeping files on seprate disc. currently i have 250 gig SATA and still have 1 xtra port on asus k8v-x-se. so here are some questions...do i need a raid controller? will xp reconize this drive? i've built a few computers, but this is my first SATA and it was a pain to load OS will i need new drivers? and please tell me what are the benifts of 2 hardrives thanks for all your time and patience

colinjames

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Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Feb 20, 2006 09:04 am

Hey colin, shouldn't be a problem. If your PC recognized the first one, it should see the second one without issue.

I'm curious as to why you had problems, are were they related to SATA, or something other?

My PC loaded swimmingly with 2 sata drives.

You shouldn't need raid drivers (or controllor) if you're only using the 2 drives as 2 drives. Raid will let you use the drives together as one drive (simply speaking), which can speed up performance, or increase data reliability.

Having 2 drives ( as 2 drives, C: and D:) in multitracking, will let you leave the windows system files, program files, and swap space on one drive, while the other drive is free to write large amounts of data, like digital audio, without having to stop to write swap file info, or read windows files, or program file stuff.

This will keep your audio tracks from glitches, pops, or the such, stemming from write buffer underruns.

hth

Member
Since: Feb 02, 2006


Feb 20, 2006 05:23 pm

Pat, thanks for the info, I'll order 2nd drive today. the problems were newbie stuff first time build, like i didn't know about the f6 comand to load xp, and i had to install a floppy drive in order to format or load xp. will i have to repeat this for 2nd drive? i hope you can understand this my tech speak is not so good
thanks
Colin

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Feb 20, 2006 06:48 pm

colin, you will have to format the drive after it is installed. But you will not have to go through what you did to install windows. It is a simple format and you are done.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Feb 22, 2006 01:44 pm

I know it's post-install, but, most newer PCs will allow you to boot from the CD drive. Most boards will have that option already turned on. If not, then a quick trip into motherboard BIOS can turn on the CD boot feature.

Being SATA, there aren't any jumpers to deal with, so like Noize said, just install the drive, then format it inside of XP, and you're good to go.

I'd tell you where to go in XP to format the drive, but I can't seem to recall it at the moment. I have my PC at home with only 1 drive running, and the other SATA drive is not formatted yet, so if you don't know where it is, I'll look tonight and get back to you if no-one else does.

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