master/slave questionsetc..

[KenC]

I'm adding another HDD and a CD/RW to my PC (which will give me 2 of each). Which one should be set to master/slave etc? Should 1 HDD be set for master and the other slave or should it be 1 HDD master and one of the CD roms set as slave? Does it make a difference which is connected to each IDE cables?
Thanks:confused:

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

Generally you can do it either way, but it is usually easiest to set up the hard drives on the same cable and the optical drives on their own cable so that they aren't all twisted around each other.

Your drive with the operating system on it is usually the Master and the other hard drive is the Slave. There are exceptions to this since some drives require that they be set to Cable Select. You will have to read the documentation for each drive to figure it out.

The optical drives can be set either way, but generally the drive at the end of the cable is Master and the one in the middle is Slave. That is also true with the hard drives...

Typically I would put the hard drives on the 0 IDE port and the optical drives on the 1 IDE port....

Keep in mind that adding 2 drives is also adding a significant power requirement and your current power supply may not be able to handle it...

[KenC]

Thanks for the info. I think or hope my power supply is good. I'm running a P4 processor and have 425watt power supply.

[Budfred]

The total wattage isn't really as important as the amp rating on the 12 volt leg of the power supply. If it is a good brand, you should be fine. If it is not.... good luck....:rolleyes: