Adding a second hard drive

Question

I have a Dimension 4550 Intel Pentium 4 @ 2.0Ghz desktop.  It has the orginial 30GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive, which is getting full.  It has a slot for a second drive, so I want to add a 160GB Maxtor H.D.   I haven't bought the Maxtor unit yet, but as far as I can tell from reading the specs on the box, it seems that it would be compatible with my system.  I'm far from an expert on updating my computer, but I did update the memory from the orginal 256MB to 512MB without any problems.  The Maxtor unit is advertised as supplied with the necessary software and all necessary installation instructions and hardware.  However, in reading the specs on the Maxtor box,  it says the following:  'DRIVES LARGER THAN 137GB require 2000 SP3 or higher,  XP SP1 or higher, or add in ATA PCI card with 48 bit BIOS support ( pci card not included )'  I'm running Windows XP home but don't understand the 'SP1 or higher' .  Can anyone give me some words of wisdom and encouragement.  The sale at Office Depot ends on Saturday and I'd like to take advantage of the $34.99 sale price on the Maxtor unit.  Thanks to anyone offering assistance or answers.

ejn63 · Answer

As long as you have the latest BIOS, AND you have Service Pack 1 installed, you're all set. You really SHOULD have Service Pack 2 installed for security reasons. As for the drive, be careful - Maxtor's drives have poor reputation for reliability, unless you're sure what's in the box is a newer model -- Maxtor was purchased by Seagate, which has been introducing decontented versions of its own drives under the Maxtor label.

shesagordie · Answer

dingfutz 'SP1 or higher', means that you can use a later released version of SP, ie, SP-2. Hard drives larger than 120gb, require either XP-SP1 or XP-SP2 and update the BIOS to version A04 or higher Any make of hard drive, except Maxtor [unless it's one of the new Seagate/Maxtor drives] should be fine, check the lenght of the warranty, there's one to five years. Install the HD as per the procedures below, set the jumpers to cable select and install it on the middle cable connector, enter the BIOS setup and check the the drive is enabled [on]. How to Install a Second Hard Drive. System Setup. In order for windows to recognize the second hard drive, it must be partitioned and formatted. These are generic instructions for installing an additional hard drive using Windows XP Disk Management, they are by Seagate, but apply to all brands. Bev. =================================================== Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger. Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

dingfutz · Answer

Thanks to  both 'ejn63' and 'shesagordie' for your quick response to my question on 3/22 regarding 'adding a second hard drive'.  I chose to follow the advice of 'ejn63' and not buy the Maxtor unit.  Instead, I  bought a new Seagate 80GB hard drive.  Since the Segate unit is less than the 120GB,  do I have to do something to update my BIOS?  If so, what is involved in doing so?  Is that mearly part of the procedure covered under 'System Setup' ?  Thanks again for your help.   Dingfutz

shesagordie · Answer

dingfutz

As the hard drive is less than 120gb, there should no need to update the BIOS.

Bev.

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

Storage, Drives & Media

Adding a second hard drive

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