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February 23rd, 2010 20:00
adding a hard drive on Dimension 8200
I have a Dell Dimension 8200 with 40GB internal hard drive and would like to add a second drive. OS is XP professional and is up to date with the latest service pack from microsoft.
The current drive is listed on my invoice as 40gb Ultra ATA-100 7200rpm. Other papers list it as 40GB IDE half Height 7.2K 40G/P Seagate Snowmass,
I know from the manual that there is a second bay to add a second hard drive. I have a few questions that I do not know the answers to and could not find in the manual or on the Dell site.
1. Do I have to buy a 40GB drive for the second bay or can i buy a larger drive (e.g. 80GB or larger). Is there a limit?
2. What drive should I be looking for? I found two descriptions above and am not sure what to look for to buy.
3. Any recommendations for a good reliable brand?
4. The manual states that a power cable must be connected to the new drive. Is this cable already inside the computer or do I need to buy one?
5 After I insert the new second hard drive does the computer automatically recognize it with a new drive letter or do I have to do anything more?
Thanks for any information anyone can provide.
shesagordie
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February 23rd, 2010 21:00
avostro1510
The following are the procedures for adding a second internal IDE hard drive, to a Dimension 8200, are HERE <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
To install a hard drive larger than 120gb IDE hard drive in the 8200 requires Windows XP SP-1 or XP SP-2 and the BIOS to A02 or higher.
Remember to set the HD's jumpers to cable select, as noted in the instructions.
Enter the SYSTEM SETUP and check that the second hard drive, is set to auto [on] and is recognized.
After the drive has been installed and for Windows to recognize the drive, it must be patitioned, formated and assigned a Drive Letter, using XP Disk Management.
THESE are generic instructions for installing an additional hard drive using Windows XP Disk Management, they are by Seagate, but apply to all brands.
You need an internal, 3.5", 7200rpm, IDE/EIDE hard drive, any size up to 120gb will be fine, hard drives larger 120gb require Windows XP SP-1 or higher and the BIOS to A02 or higher.
Yes, there is a spare 4-pin Molex power connector inside the case, for a second hard drive.
There should be a three connector ribbon data cable already inside the case, you need to connect the second hard drive to the middle connector of the primary data cable.
Look for either a Western Digital, or a Seagate hard drive.
Bev.
shesagordie
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February 24th, 2010 13:00
avostro1510
Happy to have helped.
Bev.
Trinisle
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February 24th, 2010 13:00
Thank you, Bev, this is very helpful. I am now ready to look for a drive for my Dimension 8200 and install. WIll let you know how all turns out.
Thanks again. Much appreciated.
avostro 1510