Adding Internal Hard Drives XPS420???

Question

im looking to add more then the 2 allowed internal hard drives...any suggestions how to???if thats possible

mrhsmav · Answer

only way possible is prob to mod. or best case scenario is getting those things that allows you to use them as external harddrives as well.

Timdrouilard · Answer

The 420 is designed for 3 internal HD's with no problem, just read your manual.   Two HD's go in the normal bottom HD bays, and the manual describes how to mount the third HD in one of the top 3 1/2 drive bays..   Just remember, their are power suooly cables already in place for HD's 2 and 3, but you'll have to supply your own data cables. The data cable for the bottom HD needs to have a right-angle connector on the HD end, while the data cable for the 3rd HD mounted in the 3 1/2 bay just takes a normal cable with straight ends on both ends of the cable.   If you need more than 3 HD's, you should be able to use some 5 1/4 to 3 1/2 drive mounting adapters and mount another HD or two in any un-used upper 5 1/4 drive bays.

packerFan07 · Answer

what TimD said with one caveat, this assumes you haven't already used both 3 1/2' bays.... BlueTooth 13 in 1 takes up one 3 1/2 a floppy would take up one 3 1/2 the accelerator 'might' take up one 3 1/2 - Not sure since it might be only using the front facia which you wouldn't need for a hdd....   The other option is to use the esata or add a pci card with additional esata ports...

whizkid16 · Answer

if i use esata or a pci card where do i put the drives?

masteff · Answer

eSATA would be an external drive (e for external)... similar to this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148237 (there are dozens of others, that just one example)

PS: but dig thru these threads about a known issue w/ the 420's eSATA (best to wait and make sure it's fixed before investing in an eSATA drive) http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=Tech_Talk_XPS&thread.id=26761

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=Tech_Talk_XPS&thread.id=29359

Message Edited by masteff on 01-18-2008 10:38 AM

Timdrouilard · Answer

The 420 already has an eSATA port.

winnieB · Answer

I can fit 4 in my 410 just put them in the drives under the DVD drives.

XPS 410
Intel C2D E6700 2.66
2 GB @ 667mzh (2 dimms)
Dual 80GB Raptors @ 10,000 RPM in RAID 0 (silenced)
320GB hdd
160GB hdd
NVIDIA 7900GS Zalman VF-900cu
ATI TV Wonder 650 HD
Diamond 24-bit 7.1 surround, w/ dolby digital live
2407 Monitor
LG 42" 1080p
logitech G7 mouse, G15 keyboard

----------------------------------"GAME ON"-------------------------------

whizkid16 · Answer

from my understanding the 420 only has room for 2 NOT 4

Timdrouilard · Answer

The 420 was designed to mount 3 hard drives.   Two at the bottom of the case in normal plastic HD carriers. The manual specifically describes how to mount a 3rd HD in the upper 3 1/2 drive bay at the top of the cabinet. ( I have my WD 1TB drive mounted there.   Other than that, you can choose on your own to mount additional drives in any un-used 5 1/4 drive bay at the top of the case if you buy some 5 1/4 to 3 1/2 drive mounting adapters and mount them yourself. It's easy to do, but mounting HD's in these locations is entirely up to you.

whizkid16 · Answer

any chance you can post a picture or email

Timdrouilard · Answer

whizkid16   In the manual...   <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>   Look under the headings   Adding a Second Hard Drive   and   Installing a Hard Drive in the FlexBay

whizkid16 · Answer

IT STATES FROM THE MANUAL::: Your computer supports: * Two hard drives (Serial ATA) * Two FlexBay drives (can contain an optional floppy drive, an optional Media Card Reader, or an optional hard drive). * Two CD or DVD drives............................................................................................. so if i ordered it without any floppy or media card reader....and its coming with 1 hard drive and 1 dvd drive....i can add 3 more hard drives and 1 more dvd drive???? Message Edited by whizkid16 on 01-20-2008 05:02 AM

Message Edited by whizkid16 on 01-20-2008 05:02 AM

Timdrouilard · Answer

whizkid16   The 420 has a total of 6 places to mount internal drives. From the top of the case   5 1/4 in drive bay - Normally the DVD drive goes here 5 1/4 in drive bay - Normally empty 3 1/2 in drive bay - (in my case, my WD 1TB drive is here) 3 1/2 in drive bay - 19 in 1 card reader   at the bottom of the case   HD drive bay ---  HD drive bay 150gig Raptor     750gig Seagate   The MB has 5 internal SATA connectors   Now, with regards to the 3 1/2 in drive bays, the second from the bottom bay has the proper mounting holes in the proper location to accomidate a HD and all the mounting screws.   The bottom 3 1/2 in drive bay does NOT have a mounting hole for the rear screw on a HD on the open case side of the drive. You could probably mount a HD here but you won't be able to use all the mounting screws.   So in your case, if you order your system with 1 HD and 1 DVD.   You'd only be able to add three more drives since there are only 5 SATA connectors on the MB.   Which 3 drives you choose to install is up to you.

winnieB · Answer

only 5 sata slots, bummer. that is a let down. newer should be better.

XPS 410
Intel C2D E6700 2.66
2 GB @ 667mzh (2 dimms)
Dual 80GB Raptors @ 10,000 RPM in RAID 0 (silenced)
320GB hdd
160GB hdd
NVIDIA 7900GS Zalman VF-900cu
ATI TV Wonder 650 HD
Diamond 24-bit 7.1 surround, w/ dolby digital live
2407 Monitor
LG 42" 1080p
logitech G7 mouse, G15 keyboard

----------------------------------"GAME ON"-------------------------------

whizkid16 · Answer

what can i do to add more internal SATA ports??

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Adding Internal Hard Drives XPS420???

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