Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage (
More info?)
Thanks
for the info.
Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> writes
>nospam <nospam@nospam.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> craigm <none@domain.invalid> writes
>>> nospam wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>>>> I have just ordered a new drive, due tomorrow.
>>>> I will add it to the slave connector and keep my current hdd (which
>>>> has 3 partitions) as the boot drive. This one is just for extra
>>>> storage.
>>>> I assume it will come with a diagram to link it as a slave.
>>>> Do I have to fdisk it?
>>>> Do I then have to format it using the command
>>>> format g: ?
>>>> or will it all be done?
>>>> Just plug it in and go!
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>
>>> The answer depends upon your OS and your hardware setup.
>>>
>>> But, you may have to change jumpers on the drive. There may or may
>>> not be documentation with the drive, depending upon how you purchased it
>>> (OEM vs. retail package). You either need to be setup as the slave
>>> drive, or as cable select. That depends upon the existing drive and
>>> cable. Yes, you will have to 'fdisk' it. You will have to create a
>>> partition. The exact method depends upon your OS.
>>>
>>> Yes, you will have to format the drive. It may not be G: however.
>>> This depends upon your operating system and how you setup your
>>> system and partitioned the drive.
>>>
>>> It will not all be done because there is no way the manufacturer
>>> knows what OS you are using and how you want it partitioned and what
>>> file system you want. On the other hand it does not need to be
>>> difficult for you to do
>>>
>>> If you specify the OS you have, what PC you have, how the original
>>> drive is jumpered and the type of IDE cable, and what you current
>>> partitioning and drive letters are, someone may be able to give you a
>>> specific answer.
>>>
>>> You need to provide more information to get a useful answer.
>
>> Sorry
>
>> it is Win2k sp4
>
>> I have a 30 GB drive labelled as C: G: H:
>
>> I have two CD-ROM's labelled as D: E:
>
>> I bought the hard disk from the company I bought the PC from many
>>years ago. a
>> web based retailer (http://www.cclonline.com).
>
>> Yes the new 120GB drive will start at label I: though if possible to avoid
>> confusion I would like to start it at J:
>
>You can change that letter in Win2K after you have partitioned and
>formatted it.
>
>> I was thinking of four 30 GB partitions.
>
>Its generally better not to have lots of partitions per physical drive now.
>
>It will work fine however.
>
>> The current 30 GB disk is obviously the boot disk but I don't know how it is
>> linked. I guess as the master.
>
>Yes.
>
>> Assuming hard disks have links on them in the 21 century. Cant they plug and
>> play and work it out for themselves.
>
>They can if jumpered for cable select.
>
>Your original drive may or may not be,
>depending on how old the system is.
>
>I'd check how the original drive is jumpered, and check that
>the new drive is jumpered cable select before you install it.
>
>> Guess not - probably cause more trouble than its worth.
>
>Nope, it is in fact the simplest approach.
>
>> The current 30 GB disk is attached to the end of the ribbon cable and
>>the plug
>> is marked master.
>
>> The ribbon cable plug that is in the 'middle' is marked slave.
>
>Thats normal with a modern 80 wire ribbon cable.
>
>> I guess I just use the DOS command box to type fdisk and format J:
>
>Its better done using Disk Management in Win2K.
>
>> are there any switches to the format command that I need?
>
>Nope, and if you do it in disk management it will ask
>you to specify the format you want, NTFS or FAT32.
>
>> The disk is just for data.
>
>
>
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