Second SATA Hard Drive to Dimension 3000

Question

I bought a SATA HD for my Dell Dimension 3000.  When I opened the case, I found out the current and only HD I have is a PATA.  Also, I don't have an extra HD-bay.  What do I need to add the new one as a second internal HD?  Also, a friend of mine told me to make it an external HD.  Doesn't it affect the speed?  How can I do that?     My machine is Dell Dimension 3000 P4 3Ghz with 512 RAM.   The new HD is 300GB, Maxtor, 7200 RPM, 16MD Catche Thanks. Message Edited by lakeufala on 09-12-200601:59 PM

shesagordie · Answer

lakeufala

You would find it easier to return the SATA drive and buy a PATA [ATA/EIDE/IDE] hard drive and install it internally.

If you want to use the SATA, you could either buy a PCI SATA controller card and install internally [you will need the hard drive bracket for this] or use a powered USB 2.0 SATA external enclosure, that would be slower than an internal drive.

How to install a second PATA hard drive in a D-3000,

A hard drive bracket kit can be purchased from,

http://www.issue-resolved.com/

Or, the bracket only for $7.99 from,

http://www.centrix-intl.com/details.asp?productid=149

But, you will have to buy the three connector IDE cable,

http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/cabling/deskstar.htm

Dell does not have the procedures for installing a second hard drive in the D-3000, but because the D-4600 has the same chassis, you can use the same instructions for the physical installation.
Set the Drives jumpers to "Cable Select" and install the second hard drive on the middle cable connector

How to install a second hard drive,

< ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Bev.

rickmktg · Answer

@lakeufala wrote:

I bought a SATA HD for my Dell Dimension 3000. When I opened the case, I found out the current and only HD I have is a PATA. Also, I don't have an extra HD-bay. What do I need to add the new one as a second internal HD? Also, a friend of mine told me to make it an external HD. Doesn't it affect the speed? How can I do that?

My machine is Dell Dimension 3000 P4 3Ghz with 512 RAM.

The new HD is 300GB, Maxtor, 7200 RPM, 16MD Catche

Thanks.

You should return the drive and buy a PATA drive. The 3000 would require a SATA card, making the total cost too high.

You need a drive bracket and cable, see the info on my site for a provider. Directions come with it.

And do NOT buy a Maxtor drive. Very high failure rates.

shesagordie · Answer

lakeufala   The maximum speed of a hard drive connected to a USB 2.0 port is 480 Mbps, this should be ample for backups and additional storage.   The external powered SATA enclosure kit, should include the instructions for installing the drive and it's use.   Check out the following external SATA units,   http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817145389   http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=ENE&N=2010090092+1054007129+1054119835&Subcategory=92&description=&srchInDesc=   Bev.

lakeufala · Answer

Thank you for the replies.

My problem is, I'm not in a position to return the SATA drive. I bought it becasue my friends told me that that's what I should get, before knowing all these troubles.

Anyway, it seems that using it internally is wayyyy too much trouble. How about add it externally? Exactly what do you mean by being slow? Could you give me an example?

Also, if I buy one of those externel HD cases, would it come with sufficient instructions? Exactly what are the steps?

Message Edited by lakeufala on 09-12-200603:28 PM

Storage, Drives & Media

Second SATA Hard Drive to Dimension 3000

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