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Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage (More info?)
HaHaHoHoHeeHee wrote:
> "Ron Reaugh" <ron-reaugh@worldnet.att.net> wrote in
> news:eYWAe.414693$cg1.372357@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>
>>
>> "HaHaHoHoHeeHee" <HaHaHoHoHeeHee-_invalid@lycos.com> wrote in message
>> news:Ham96915B0CE990A0114539sl329HaHaHoHo@213.155.197.138...
>>>I have several older systems, some with old USB 1.0 and others
>>> without USB.
>>>
>>> I am trying to figure out the best way to handle occasional
>>> swapping of drives from one machine to another.
>>>
>>> Originally I was thinking of using removable hard drive caddies.
>>
>> I keep the cases off most my machines and have HDs hanging or sitting
>> on the desktop for this purpose but trays work.
>
>
> Thanks for the reply, but I think the above is a very bad idea. Even if
> you are careful you still have problems with vibrations, etc and the
> airflow to the box is not correct with the case removed (i usually use a
> outside fan when I remove the case).
I've noticed no difference in reliability or stability or operating
temperatures with the case open or closed on most machines. If there's a
problem it's generally on a tightly cased machine with marginal cooling and
often leaving the case open improves the situation. PCs just aren't that
fragile.
>>> All drives I will be using are IDE, (ATA I think-fastest machines
>>> are 800MHZ). I may buy some larger new drives at some time, so
>>> that will mean going to the SATA standard? and can these new
>>> drives be put in 2000/800MHZ machines and can they be mixed with
>>> the older 8GB drives?
>>
>> Yes, using an SATA addon card.
>
> I want to limit the amount of new hardware at this time. Will stick to
> ATA, though I think this limits me to 80GB per drive?
What ever gave you that idea?
<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148068>
Your particular motherboard may have an 8, 32, or 128 gig limit, depending
on its age, and that may or may not be addressable by a BIOS upgrade.
>>> The two main machines are dell and amd
>>> duron.
>>>
>>> At least one of boxes supports cable select, so I don't have to
>>> worry about jumper settings on that one machine; not sure about
>>> the AMD Duron. Most of the drives are WD in the 8GB range, with
>>> one 8GB Maxtor. Also one 20GM WD. These machines may be USB
>>> upgradeable, but I'd rather not rely on USB, since I want maximum
>>> interchange flexibility to older machines. Also USB upgrades mean
>>> I may have to reflash the bios on one of them, install more cards,
>>> etc.-trying to keep my new hardware installations to a minumum.
>>
>>
>> The mobo BIOS may not support large HDs when using the mobo's IDE
>> controller. Use an addon PCI card that does support large HDs.
>>
>>> I was thinking of going the swappable drive caddy route, until I
>>> read a thread on this group that some have had problems with these
>>> caddies.
>>
>> Ignore such nay sayers.
>
> Well it makes some sense to me since the IDE interfaces are so touchy
> such that adapters and longer cables are not recommended. I would think
> that their could be problems with the additional connections with a
> caddy.
They're not _that_ touchy. The caddies work fine as long as you don't try
to hot-swap them. Cold swap is no different than pulling a drive out and
replacing it.
>>> Also, Rod Speed recommends using a SATA standard caddy
>>
>> Ignore all such recommendation from wacko speedo.
>>
>>> and what implications does that have in case I buy a new drive and
>>> put it in the same machine with the older drives (ATA?). I am not
>>> sure what the differences are between these standards in terms of
>>> installation compatibility?
>>
>> Assume no problems as the SATA will be via an addon card.
>>
>>> If I do go with removable caddies, what brand/vendor is best?
>>
>>
>> www.kingwin.com
>>
>> I use the KF-83.
>
> looks good, but as I said others have had problems with them at least
> reported in this group. maybe not related to the hardware, maybe their
> configurations or user error.
Probably user error. I've had no trouble with Kingwin. But then I notice
that I seem to have far less trouble with my systems than do many posters.
>>> What
>>> should I look for in the specs specifically?
>>
>> Fans, shock mounting and price.
>>
>>> If there are better
>>> alternatives, I'd like to hear them. Originally I thought of using
>>> an extra long IDE ribbon cable until I found out you cannot do
>>> that.
>>
>> You can usually get away with a 24 inch one.
>
> originally I just thought since electrons travel at the speed of light
> there should be no problem with a longer cable,but others have warned me
> against this.
(a) Electrons do not travel at the speed of light. If all the energy in the
universe were collected and all the matter converted to energy and that
energy was applied to a single electron it would not reach the velocity of
light, although it would be pretty close. The propagation velocity in
wires is typically 60-80% of the velocity of light.
(b) The velocity makes no difference--interference and cross talk are the
issues. Television and radio broadcasts _do_ travel at the velocity of
light, but they are not free from interference.
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
HaHaHoHoHeeHee wrote:
> "Ron Reaugh" <ron-reaugh@worldnet.att.net> wrote in
> news:eYWAe.414693$cg1.372357@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>
>>
>> "HaHaHoHoHeeHee" <HaHaHoHoHeeHee-_invalid@lycos.com> wrote in message
>> news:Ham96915B0CE990A0114539sl329HaHaHoHo@213.155.197.138...
>>>I have several older systems, some with old USB 1.0 and others
>>> without USB.
>>>
>>> I am trying to figure out the best way to handle occasional
>>> swapping of drives from one machine to another.
>>>
>>> Originally I was thinking of using removable hard drive caddies.
>>
>> I keep the cases off most my machines and have HDs hanging or sitting
>> on the desktop for this purpose but trays work.
>
>
> Thanks for the reply, but I think the above is a very bad idea. Even if
> you are careful you still have problems with vibrations, etc and the
> airflow to the box is not correct with the case removed (i usually use a
> outside fan when I remove the case).
I've noticed no difference in reliability or stability or operating
temperatures with the case open or closed on most machines. If there's a
problem it's generally on a tightly cased machine with marginal cooling and
often leaving the case open improves the situation. PCs just aren't that
fragile.
>>> All drives I will be using are IDE, (ATA I think-fastest machines
>>> are 800MHZ). I may buy some larger new drives at some time, so
>>> that will mean going to the SATA standard? and can these new
>>> drives be put in 2000/800MHZ machines and can they be mixed with
>>> the older 8GB drives?
>>
>> Yes, using an SATA addon card.
>
> I want to limit the amount of new hardware at this time. Will stick to
> ATA, though I think this limits me to 80GB per drive?
What ever gave you that idea?
<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148068>
Your particular motherboard may have an 8, 32, or 128 gig limit, depending
on its age, and that may or may not be addressable by a BIOS upgrade.
>>> The two main machines are dell and amd
>>> duron.
>>>
>>> At least one of boxes supports cable select, so I don't have to
>>> worry about jumper settings on that one machine; not sure about
>>> the AMD Duron. Most of the drives are WD in the 8GB range, with
>>> one 8GB Maxtor. Also one 20GM WD. These machines may be USB
>>> upgradeable, but I'd rather not rely on USB, since I want maximum
>>> interchange flexibility to older machines. Also USB upgrades mean
>>> I may have to reflash the bios on one of them, install more cards,
>>> etc.-trying to keep my new hardware installations to a minumum.
>>
>>
>> The mobo BIOS may not support large HDs when using the mobo's IDE
>> controller. Use an addon PCI card that does support large HDs.
>>
>>> I was thinking of going the swappable drive caddy route, until I
>>> read a thread on this group that some have had problems with these
>>> caddies.
>>
>> Ignore such nay sayers.
>
> Well it makes some sense to me since the IDE interfaces are so touchy
> such that adapters and longer cables are not recommended. I would think
> that their could be problems with the additional connections with a
> caddy.
They're not _that_ touchy. The caddies work fine as long as you don't try
to hot-swap them. Cold swap is no different than pulling a drive out and
replacing it.
>>> Also, Rod Speed recommends using a SATA standard caddy
>>
>> Ignore all such recommendation from wacko speedo.
>>
>>> and what implications does that have in case I buy a new drive and
>>> put it in the same machine with the older drives (ATA?). I am not
>>> sure what the differences are between these standards in terms of
>>> installation compatibility?
>>
>> Assume no problems as the SATA will be via an addon card.
>>
>>> If I do go with removable caddies, what brand/vendor is best?
>>
>>
>> www.kingwin.com
>>
>> I use the KF-83.
>
> looks good, but as I said others have had problems with them at least
> reported in this group. maybe not related to the hardware, maybe their
> configurations or user error.
Probably user error. I've had no trouble with Kingwin. But then I notice
that I seem to have far less trouble with my systems than do many posters.
>>> What
>>> should I look for in the specs specifically?
>>
>> Fans, shock mounting and price.
>>
>>> If there are better
>>> alternatives, I'd like to hear them. Originally I thought of using
>>> an extra long IDE ribbon cable until I found out you cannot do
>>> that.
>>
>> You can usually get away with a 24 inch one.
>
> originally I just thought since electrons travel at the speed of light
> there should be no problem with a longer cable,but others have warned me
> against this.
(a) Electrons do not travel at the speed of light. If all the energy in the
universe were collected and all the matter converted to energy and that
energy was applied to a single electron it would not reach the velocity of
light, although it would be pretty close. The propagation velocity in
wires is typically 60-80% of the velocity of light.
(b) The velocity makes no difference--interference and cross talk are the
issues. Television and radio broadcasts _do_ travel at the velocity of
light, but they are not free from interference.
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)