HD IDE Cable - New XPS Gen 3

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Quick question... I just purchased a new XPS Gen 3 (3.6) with a single 74GB
10,000 RPM HD. I did not get a second drive since I already have some large
drives here that I planned to add. Problem is since I only ordered the
computer with one drive, the primary IDE cable for the HD only has a single
connector. Is this typical? Can I just pick up a standard two-connector
IDE cable in order to add the second drive?

TIA for your suggestions!

Doug

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Are you talking about the IDE cable or the SATA cable. The 74GB drive is
not an IDE drive. It is a SATA drive and it requires a SATA cable. If you
order the retail version of the drive, it will come with a SATA cable.

"Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:XZudndn7-44erADcRVn-iw@adelphia.com...
> Quick question... I just purchased a new XPS Gen 3 (3.6) with a single
> 74GB 10,000 RPM HD. I did not get a second drive since I already have
> some large drives here that I planned to add. Problem is since I only
> ordered the computer with one drive, the primary IDE cable for the HD only
> has a single connector. Is this typical? Can I just pick up a standard
> two-connector IDE cable in order to add the second drive?
>
> TIA for your suggestions!
>
> Doug
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I guess that in my ignorance I ordered a configuration where I can't add an
IDE drive to the same cable as the SATA drive. Am I correct? That poses a
problem for me... I'm going to have to find some other solution to allow me
to use the 160GB IDE drive I have all my data on from the computer the XPS
is replacing.

"WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5Dand.20636$fC4.8346@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
> Are you talking about the IDE cable or the SATA cable. The 74GB drive is
> not an IDE drive. It is a SATA drive and it requires a SATA cable. If
> you order the retail version of the drive, it will come with a SATA cable.
>
> "Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:XZudndn7-44erADcRVn-iw@adelphia.com...
>> Quick question... I just purchased a new XPS Gen 3 (3.6) with a single
>> 74GB 10,000 RPM HD. I did not get a second drive since I already have
>> some large drives here that I planned to add. Problem is since I only
>> ordered the computer with one drive, the primary IDE cable for the HD
>> only has a single connector. Is this typical? Can I just pick up a
>> standard two-connector IDE cable in order to add the second drive?
>>
>> TIA for your suggestions!
>>
>> Doug
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

If you only have one optical drive, the IDE drive can go on that. If it
only has one connector, then, yes, a cable with two connectors is all you
need.

tom
"Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:h_ydnaK6HKZDwADcRVn-2g@adelphia.com...
>I guess that in my ignorance I ordered a configuration where I can't add an
>IDE drive to the same cable as the SATA drive. Am I correct? That poses a
>problem for me... I'm going to have to find some other solution to allow me
>to use the 160GB IDE drive I have all my data on from the computer the XPS
>is replacing.
>
> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:5Dand.20636$fC4.8346@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>> Are you talking about the IDE cable or the SATA cable. The 74GB drive is
>> not an IDE drive. It is a SATA drive and it requires a SATA cable. If
>> you order the retail version of the drive, it will come with a SATA
>> cable.
>>
>> "Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
>> news:XZudndn7-44erADcRVn-iw@adelphia.com...
>>> Quick question... I just purchased a new XPS Gen 3 (3.6) with a single
>>> 74GB 10,000 RPM HD. I did not get a second drive since I already have
>>> some large drives here that I planned to add. Problem is since I only
>>> ordered the computer with one drive, the primary IDE cable for the HD
>>> only has a single connector. Is this typical? Can I just pick up a
>>> standard two-connector IDE cable in order to add the second drive?
>>>
>>> TIA for your suggestions!
>>>
>>> Doug
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Fixer]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

plus you could also by an external usb2 HDD enclosure
"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:q-6dnRYZJsLN_gDcRVn-sQ@comcast.com...
> If you only have one optical drive, the IDE drive can go on that. If it
> only has one connector, then, yes, a cable with two connectors is all you
> need.
>
> tom
> "Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:h_ydnaK6HKZDwADcRVn-2g@adelphia.com...
>>I guess that in my ignorance I ordered a configuration where I can't add
>>an IDE drive to the same cable as the SATA drive. Am I correct? That
>>poses a problem for me... I'm going to have to find some other solution to
>>allow me to use the 160GB IDE drive I have all my data on from the
>>computer the XPS is replacing.
>>
>> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:5Dand.20636$fC4.8346@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>>> Are you talking about the IDE cable or the SATA cable. The 74GB drive
>>> is not an IDE drive. It is a SATA drive and it requires a SATA cable.
>>> If you order the retail version of the drive, it will come with a SATA
>>> cable.
>>>
>>> "Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
>>> news:XZudndn7-44erADcRVn-iw@adelphia.com...
>>>> Quick question... I just purchased a new XPS Gen 3 (3.6) with a single
>>>> 74GB 10,000 RPM HD. I did not get a second drive since I already have
>>>> some large drives here that I planned to add. Problem is since I only
>>>> ordered the computer with one drive, the primary IDE cable for the HD
>>>> only has a single connector. Is this typical? Can I just pick up a
>>>> standard two-connector IDE cable in order to add the second drive?
>>>>
>>>> TIA for your suggestions!
>>>>
>>>> Doug
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

There are adapters made by several manufacturers that
will convert between PATA and SATA. You could use
one of those to connect your PATA drive to the SATA
controller. If your PC's PCI Express bus is backward
compatible with PCI, another alternative is to get a PCI
card with an ATA controller on it. You can get those
from Promise, SIIG, HighPoint, etc.

*TimDaniels*


"Fixer" wrote:
> plus you could also by an external usb2 HDD enclosure
>
> "Tom Scales" wrote:
>> If you only have one optical drive, the IDE drive can go
>> on that. If it only has one connector, then, yes, a cable
>> with two connectors is all you need.
>>
>> "Doug Miannay" wrote:
>>>I guess that in my ignorance I ordered a configuration
>>>where I can't add an IDE drive to the same cable as
>>>the SATA drive. Am I correct? That poses a problem
>>>for me... I'm going to have to find some other solution to
>>>allow me to use the 160GB IDE drive I have all my data
>>>on from the computer the XPS is replacing.
>>>
>>> "WSZsr" wrote:
>>>> Are you talking about the IDE cable or the SATA cable.
>>>>The 74GB drive is not an IDE drive. It is a SATA drive
>>>>and it requires a SATA cable. If you order the retail
>>>>version of the drive, it will come with a SATA cable.
>>>>
>>>> "Doug Miannay" wrote:
>>>>> Quick question... I just purchased a new XPS Gen 3 (3.6)
>>>>> with a single 74GB 10,000 RPM HD. I did not get a
>>>>> second drive since I already have some large drives here
>>>>> that I planned to add. Problem is since I only ordered the
>>>>> computer with one drive, the primary IDE cable for the HD
>>>>> only has a single connector. Is this typical? Can I just pick
>>>>> up a standard two-connector IDE cable in order to add the
>>>>> second drive?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I installed my spare IDE drive in a $27 USB2 external hard drive enclosure.
Works great!

"Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:h_ydnaK6HKZDwADcRVn-2g@adelphia.com...
>I guess that in my ignorance I ordered a configuration where I can't add an
>IDE drive to the same cable as the SATA drive. Am I correct? That poses a
>problem for me... I'm going to have to find some other solution to allow me
>to use the 160GB IDE drive I have all my data on from the computer the XPS
>is replacing.
>
> "WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:5Dand.20636$fC4.8346@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
>> Are you talking about the IDE cable or the SATA cable. The 74GB drive is
>> not an IDE drive. It is a SATA drive and it requires a SATA cable. If
>> you order the retail version of the drive, it will come with a SATA
>> cable.
>>
>> "Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
>> news:XZudndn7-44erADcRVn-iw@adelphia.com...
>>> Quick question... I just purchased a new XPS Gen 3 (3.6) with a single
>>> 74GB 10,000 RPM HD. I did not get a second drive since I already have
>>> some large drives here that I planned to add. Problem is since I only
>>> ordered the computer with one drive, the primary IDE cable for the HD
>>> only has a single connector. Is this typical? Can I just pick up a
>>> standard two-connector IDE cable in order to add the second drive?
>>>
>>> TIA for your suggestions!
>>>
>>> Doug
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 21:43:33 -0500, "Doug Miannay"
<dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote:

>I guess that in my ignorance I ordered a configuration where I can't add an
>IDE drive to the same cable as the SATA drive. Am I correct? That poses a
>problem for me... I'm going to have to find some other solution to allow me
>to use the 160GB IDE drive I have all my data on from the computer the XPS
>is replacing.

My Dimension XPS (Gen 2, almost a year old), was ordered and shipped
with a single SATA drive.

I added two "old" IDE drives (which, along with CD and DVD burners,
makes a total of 4 IDE devices). And since I have a drawer-full of
old IDE drives, I installed one of those removeable drive ports, so I
can swap them in and out.

And, as I recall, there is still a second SATA receptacle on the
mother board, so I could add a second SATA drive, giving 4 internal
HDs.

Doesn't your Gen 3 have two IDE channels?

--John W. Wells

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

NO, four SATA and one PATA.

"John W. Wells" <djinn@7Tsimmery.axe> wrote in message
news:djvsp05lt3t9qc2slomt3pau8q5f2uhe07@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 21:43:33 -0500, "Doug Miannay"
> <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
>>I guess that in my ignorance I ordered a configuration where I can't add
>>an
>>IDE drive to the same cable as the SATA drive. Am I correct? That poses
>>a
>>problem for me... I'm going to have to find some other solution to allow
>>me
>>to use the 160GB IDE drive I have all my data on from the computer the XPS
>>is replacing.
>
> My Dimension XPS (Gen 2, almost a year old), was ordered and shipped
> with a single SATA drive.
>
> I added two "old" IDE drives (which, along with CD and DVD burners,
> makes a total of 4 IDE devices). And since I have a drawer-full of
> old IDE drives, I installed one of those removeable drive ports, so I
> can swap them in and out.
>
> And, as I recall, there is still a second SATA receptacle on the
> mother board, so I could add a second SATA drive, giving 4 internal
> HDs.
>
> Doesn't your Gen 3 have two IDE channels?
>
> --John W. Wells

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Thanks everyone for the valuable comments. My choices are clear:

1. Get an SATA to PATA adapter PCI board, or
2. Pick up a new SATA HDD drive (which includes the cable).

I believe choice # 2 is the way to go since a new HDD will increase the
overall storage I have on our home network. The IDE drive I wanted to
install in the new XPS Gen3 can just stay in my older Dimension 8250 since
it's on the network anyway. I really just need a second larger drive in the
XPS so I can get all my data off the primary partition (74GB WD HDD).
Drives are pretty cheap so adding more storage space is the right way to go
here.

Again, thanks for all the responses.

Doug

"Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:XZudndn7-44erADcRVn-iw@adelphia.com...
> Quick question... I just purchased a new XPS Gen 3 (3.6) with a single
> 74GB 10,000 RPM HD. I did not get a second drive since I already have
> some large drives here that I planned to add. Problem is since I only
> ordered the computer with one drive, the primary IDE cable for the HD only
> has a single connector. Is this typical? Can I just pick up a standard
> two-connector IDE cable in order to add the second drive?
>
> TIA for your suggestions!
>
> Doug
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Doug Miannay" wrote:
> Thanks everyone for the valuable comments. My choices are clear:
>
> 1. Get an SATA to PATA adapter PCI board, or
> 2. Pick up a new SATA HDD drive (which includes the cable).


For the record, the SATA/PATA adapters are not necessarily
PCI boards (those contain the entire IDE controller), but rather
are cards measuring somewhere around 1 1/2 in. by 2 in.
and they plug directly into the PATA hard drive. Here is
one sold by Kingwin:
http://kingwin.com/pdut_detail.asp?LineID=&CateID=49&ID=218

Here are current prices for the unit:
http://www1.pricetool.com/xGS-Sata_Converter~NS-1~linkin_id-3064974

*TimDaniels*

 

[Tellme]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I had the same problem with the 8400. I had a brand new IDE drive
waiting to install into the new computer when I got it. NO GO. I got
an external Maxtor and love it.

Recently my old computer went down. I reinstalled windows and had all
the docs backed up on the external drive along with other info that
was very pertinent. Hooked the drive to the USB port and restored it
all. Great way to go.


>Thanks everyone for the valuable comments. My choices are clear:
>
>1. Get an SATA to PATA adapter PCI board, or
>2. Pick up a new SATA HDD drive (which includes the cable).
>
>I believe choice # 2 is the way to go since a new HDD will increase the
>overall storage I have on our home network. The IDE drive I wanted to
>install in the new XPS Gen3 can just stay in my older Dimension 8250 since
>it's on the network anyway. I really just need a second larger drive in the
>XPS so I can get all my data off the primary partition (74GB WD HDD).
>Drives are pretty cheap so adding more storage space is the right way to go
>here.
>
>Again, thanks for all the responses.
>
>Doug
>
>"Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
>news:XZudndn7-44erADcRVn-iw@adelphia.com...
>> Quick question... I just purchased a new XPS Gen 3 (3.6) with a single
>> 74GB 10,000 RPM HD. I did not get a second drive since I already have
>> some large drives here that I planned to add. Problem is since I only
>> ordered the computer with one drive, the primary IDE cable for the HD only
>> has a single connector. Is this typical? Can I just pick up a standard
>> two-connector IDE cable in order to add the second drive?
>>
>> TIA for your suggestions!
>>
>> Doug
>>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I guess my biggest issue would be any performance degredation due to having
to go through an adapter. Is the performance degraded much? Would an
equivalently sized SATA drive connected directly to the MB perform better
than and IDE drive connected via an adapter?

Thanks again for all your help with this!

Doug

"Timothy Daniels" <TDaniels@NoSpamDot.com> wrote in message
news:StadnSiFSrVFAALcRVn-pA@comcast.com...
> "Doug Miannay" wrote:
>> Thanks everyone for the valuable comments. My choices are clear:
>>
>> 1. Get an SATA to PATA adapter PCI board, or
>> 2. Pick up a new SATA HDD drive (which includes the cable).
>
>
> For the record, the SATA/PATA adapters are not necessarily
> PCI boards (those contain the entire IDE controller), but rather
> are cards measuring somewhere around 1 1/2 in. by 2 in.
> and they plug directly into the PATA hard drive. Here is
> one sold by Kingwin:
> http://kingwin.com/pdut_detail.asp?LineID=&CateID=49&ID=218
>
> Here are current prices for the unit:
> http://www1.pricetool.com/xGS-Sata_Converter~NS-1~linkin_id-3064974
>
> *TimDaniels*

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Doug Miannay" wrote:
> "Timothy Daniels" wrote
>> "Doug Miannay" wrote:
>>> Thanks everyone for the valuable comments. My choices are clear:
>>>
>>> 1. Get an SATA to PATA adapter PCI board, or
>>> 2. Pick up a new SATA HDD drive (which includes the cable).
>>
>>
>> For the record, the SATA/PATA adapters are not necessarily
>> PCI boards (those contain the entire IDE controller), but rather
>> are cards measuring somewhere around 1 1/2 in. by 2 in.
>> and they plug directly into the PATA hard drive. Here is
>> one sold by Kingwin:
>> http://kingwin.com/pdut_detail.asp?LineID=&CateID=49&ID=218
>>
>> Here are current prices for the unit:
>> http://www1.pricetool.com/xGS-Sata_Converter~NS-1~linkin_id-3064974
>
>
>I guess my biggest issue would be any performance degredation due to having
> to go through an adapter. Is the performance degraded much? Would an
> equivalently sized SATA drive connected directly to the MB perform better
> than and IDE drive connected via an adapter?

I'm not an electrical engineer, but my educated guess would be that
the speeds would be *virtually* identical for hard drives having the
same rated speed - not enough to justify a difference in cost. Of more
concern might be the increase in circuitry to go wrong and another
set of connectors to get corroded. If you want to use that PATA
hard drive in your new machine, the adapter would be a cheap
way to go. But if you have another use for it, and you can afford to
buy a SATA drive, go ahead and keep your new machine "clean" by
going with a SATA hard drive. For now, though, with the currently
available SATA drives, there is no real speed difference and no
performance "hit" by using a PATA drive with an adapter.

*TimDaniels*

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Thanks folks! Excellent discussion and clear choices on which way to
proceed!

Thanks, and happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate!

Doug

"Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:XZudndn7-44erADcRVn-iw@adelphia.com...
> Quick question... I just purchased a new XPS Gen 3 (3.6) with a single
> 74GB 10,000 RPM HD. I did not get a second drive since I already have
> some large drives here that I planned to add. Problem is since I only
> ordered the computer with one drive, the primary IDE cable for the HD only
> has a single connector. Is this typical? Can I just pick up a standard
> two-connector IDE cable in order to add the second drive?
>
> TIA for your suggestions!
>
> Doug
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Oh, and the final follow-up. I purchased a Western Digital 120GB SATA drive
for the new Dell XPS Gen3 and when I went to install it I was stopped
because the new HD drive had the old style 4-pin power connector, which was
clearly not compatible with the new SATA-style 15 pin power connector cables
from the motherboard. I went to a local computer store to find an adapter
cable to go from the SATA power cable to the 4-pin HDD power connector but
couldn't find one with the proper male-female arrangement. I ended up
getting am=n ols style 4-pin "Y" splitter power cable and branched off the
DVD-RW 4-pin power connnector cable and now all is well.

You know, it really does pay to do the research BEFORE heading to the store!
I'm disappointed I didn't do more research first... ah, but you live and
learn!

Happy Thanksgiving again to all the USA readers!

Doug

"Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:6LednVJqXdUNJj7cRVn-tQ@adelphia.com...
> Thanks folks! Excellent discussion and clear choices on which way to
> proceed!
>
> Thanks, and happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate!
>
> Doug
>
> "Doug Miannay" <dmiannayREMOVE_THIS@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:XZudndn7-44erADcRVn-iw@adelphia.com...
>> Quick question... I just purchased a new XPS Gen 3 (3.6) with a single
>> 74GB 10,000 RPM HD. I did not get a second drive since I already have
>> some large drives here that I planned to add. Problem is since I only
>> ordered the computer with one drive, the primary IDE cable for the HD
>> only has a single connector. Is this typical? Can I just pick up a
>> standard two-connector IDE cable in order to add the second drive?
>>
>> TIA for your suggestions!
>>
>> Doug
>>
>
>