Another 'adding second hard disk ' and BIOS question

Question

About to spring for second HD, not that I need it but ..why not?

Looking at BIOS setup I understand I have to turn on the SATA port the new HD is connected to.

But under SATA Operation in the BIOS mine is set to RAID ON and states it is factory default even though I don't have RAID nor the second disk and changing to RAID AUTODETECT/ATA may cause non booting problem.

OK, now for my question: If the SATA Operation is set with RAID "ON" and I add a second disk (250 gig ,primary is 320 gig) will it act as a second HD and not a RAID system?

Also what designation will it have?

C: main

D: 10gig D ell restore partion

E: DVD player

F: DVD/CD Burner

Will the new HD be E: and move the two DC/DVDs to F: and G: or will the new HD be G: drive?

Later: Just read every HD install post for last 2-4 months. Still not sure what drive it will be. Getting bleary eyed. Not sureI will have a real second drive. Dont want new one combined with first one. Want complete second drive .

Going to bed.

Message Edited by biznaga on 02-18-2007 01:37 AM

Uncle Ripper · Answer

Leave raid on and just go to disk management to format after you install and turn on sata port for new drive.  Works fine.

biznaga · Answer

Uncle Ripper wrote:

Leave raid on and just go to disk management to format after you install and turn on sata port for new drive. Works fine.

I hope so. Just ordered 250 HD ands SATA 2 cable from Newegg. I would have gotten the 320 drive but the shipping almost doubled with the cable, but the 250 drive and cable were shipped for cost of just one item.

Uncle Ripper · Answer

If you want raid 1 the second hd has to be equal to or larger than the hd with the operating system on it. Not a problem though as you stated you just wanted a 2nd storage drive.  If you ever reinstall your operating system put it on the smaller drive and you'll be set.

Storage, Drives & Media

Another "adding second hard disk " and BIOS question

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