XPS 8100 install second hard drive

Question

I want to install a second hard drive into my new Studio XPS 8100. I removed my backup hard drive from my older XPS 400. The hard drives on this computer were inserted into the computer with a blue plastic clip that surrounded the drives. The Studio XPS 8100 has nothing like this. The first hard drive appears to be screwed in place with some sort of metal bracket. But the second drive space is empty with no bracket. How do I get the second drive set into the space for the second drive?

Thanks.

shesagordie · Accepted Answer

mariko57 The XPS 8100 does have a 3.5' internal bay for a second SATA hard drive, next to the Primary hard drive. The XPS 8100 service manual is HEREand THIS  shows the location of the second hard drive. A bracket is not required to install the additional hard drive, all you need are four 6-32X1/4, phillips, or pan head screws. You will need to buy a SATA data cable, there should be a spare power connector for a second hard drive inside the case. After installing the SATA hard drive and connecting the power and data cables, you need to enter the system setup and check that the SATA port the hard drive is connected to is enabled [on] and that the hard drive is recognized. For Windows to recognize the additional hard drive, it must be patitioned, formatted and assigned a drive letter, using Windows Disk Management. Bev

mariko57 · Answer

Thank you, this was helpful - I got the second drive installed.

shesagordie · Answer

mariko57 Happy to have helped. Bev.

otisalex2 · Answer

No data cable for a 2nd drive in the XPS 8100?

shesagordie · Answer

No data cable for a 2nd drive in the XPS 8100?  otisalex2 This item was discussed in the first post. :emotion-5: Bev.

otisalex2 · Answer

[quote user='otisalex2'] No data cable for a 2nd drive in the XPS 8100?  otisalex2 This item was discussed in the first post. :emotion-5: Bev. [/quote] The OP wrote 'But the second drive space is empty with no bracket.' I'm not very smart, and have no experience with SATA connections. I thought perhaps there was a cable elsewhere, such as on the MB. I guess not? Hard to get a straight answer around here! :emotion-18:

shesagordie · Answer

[quote user='shesagordie'] [quote user='otisalex2'] No data cable for a 2nd drive in the XPS 8100?  otisalex2 This item was discussed in the first post. :emotion-5: Bev. [/quote] The OP wrote 'But the second drive space is empty with no bracket.' I'm not very smart, and have no experience with SATA connections. I thought perhaps there was a cable elsewhere, such as on the MB. I guess not? Hard to get a straight answer around here! :emotion-18:  [/quote]  otisalex2 The following is from my first post: You will need to buy a SATA data cable, there should be a spare power connector for a second hard drive inside the case. Bev.

Jeff Hoffman · Answer

OK. Here is a straight answer: The 8100 comes with NO EXTRA DATA CABLES. If you buy a "bare drive" it will not come with a data cable. A data cable can be purchased for $10 or less from any computer store, WalMart, KMart and most Walgreen or CVS drug stores.

Jeff :emotion-22:

otisalex2 · Answer

Thanks, Bev! :emotion-2:

shesagordie · Answer

otisalex2 Best to get a Straight to Straight SATA data cable similar to THIS Bev.

otisalex2 · Answer

I'm looking around online for a SATA data cable for the XPS 8100 and there are different types: straight to straight, straight to right angle, etc. What type would I need for the XPS 8100?

shesagordie · Answer

otisalex2 Happy to have helped. Bev.

boomersoonerint · Answer

I want to install a second hard drive in my xps 8100 and notice I have an external bay that is open when I slide the door down. Does this external bay take a second hard drive? If so, is the setup for a sata 3.5? Do I just slide it in??

Thanks

Boomersoonerintexas

shesagordie · Answer

boomersoonerintexas

The XPS 8100 has a bay inside the case for an additional hard drive, there is no need to use the external 3.5" bay.

The details for installing a second SATA hard drive are in my first post.

Yes, you need a 3.5" internal SATA hard drive.

Bev.

shesagordie · Answer

backcheck The XPS 8100 does not have any support for an internal floppy drive, better to buy a USB external FD, similar to THIS Bev.

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XPS 8100 install second hard drive

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