PC hardware question - SATA and IDE HDD?

[draggar]

Is it possible (and stable) to have SATA and IDE HDD in the same computer? I would like toincrease my HDD storage but I don't have the money to buy a new HDD but I do have several 40GB IDE drives lying around.

Suggestions?

[south]

Is it possible (and stable) to have SATA and IDE HDD in the same computer? I would like toincrease my HDD storage but I don't have the money to buy a new HDD but I do have several 40GB IDE drives lying around.

Suggestions?

Sure, no problems. As long as the 40 GB isn't flaky it'll be fine. I say that because windows is always reading ahead, and if the second/third/etc drive(s) are slow, it will affect the perfomance of the whole system.

[draggar]

Sure, no problems. As long as the 40 GB isn't flaky it'll be fine. I say that because windows is always reading ahead, and if the second/third/etc drive(s) are slow, it will affect the perfomance of the whole system.

The drives are 5400 RpM and I don't think they're flaky at all (don't worry, I'd run a full check on the drive & complete format before I started to use them).

I would use them for data, no application running.

I also have a couple of 2.5" drives that I was thinking of getting an IDE-USB cable (NewEgg - $12) and using it as another external drive (you wouldn't believe how tough these little drives are, I have one (and a cable) in my tool bag for work and the thing will still backup and restore data like a champ!).

[south]

The drives are 5400 RpM and I don't think they're flaky at all (don't worry, I'd run a full check on the drive & complete format before I started to use them).

I would use them for data, no application running.

I also have a couple of 2.5" drives that I was thinking of getting an IDE-USB cable (NewEgg - $12) and using it as another external drive (you wouldn't believe how tough these little drives are, I have one (and a cable) in my tool bag for work and the thing will still backup and restore data like a champ!).

I'd say go for it then

I'm wary of the 2.5" drives myself though. The little things run so hot.. I've found standard 3.5's seem to last longer. But as spare drives without essential data, can't hurt! If I were to dig through all my crap enough, I think I still have an old full height 5 1/4 Seagate SCSI 20gb that still runs, maybe even a couple of mfm's


Another thing... when you install the 40 gb drive, just make sure to check the drive order in your bios to use the right boot drive.. It will probably try to boot from the ide first.

[draggar]

I'd say go for it then

I'm wary of the 2.5" drives myself though. The little things run so hot.. I've found standard 3.5's seem to last longer. But as spare drives without essential data, can't hurt! If I were to dig through all my crap enough, I think I still have an old full height 5 1/4 Seagate SCSI 20gb that still runs, maybe even a couple of mfm's

MFMs - ah, the goold ole' days.

True but 3.5" drives need their own AC power, 2.5" don't. I've been using a Maxtor 60GB for years and it runs great (never gets hot).

Another thing... when you install the 40 gb drive, just make sure to check the drive order in your bios to use the right boot drive.. It will probably try to boot from the ide first.

Excellent point! Thank you.