Dimension 8400 HD Help

Question

I'd like to add a second hard drive to my system, but am unsure of what kind of drive to buy and have no clue of what type of drive I have now.  Is my 8400 SATA compatible?  Is SATA much better than IDE Drives?  If someone is really motivated and wants to just pick the best 400-500GB HD for my PC I'd appreciate it =)

shesagordie · Answer

Tyba1982

The D-8400 supports SATA. You will find it easier to install a second SATA hard drive.

Dell's instructions for installing a second SATA hard drive in the D-8400, connect the data cable to SATA 1 and then enter the setup and check that the drive is set to "Auto" [Enabled] Next, the hard drive needs to be partitioned and formatted.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8400/SM/parts.htm#wp1054037

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8400/SM/techov.htm#wp1052739

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8400/SM/syssetup.htm#wp1052309

Ignore the "Remove the first hard drive from the upper bay and install it in the lower bay" procedures, because they refer to IDE hard drives, not SATA.

These are generic instructions for installing an additional hard drive using Windows XP Disk Management, they are by Seagate, but apply to all brands.

http://www.seagate.com/support/kb/disc/howto/install_xp_disk_mgmt.html

Any brand of SATA hard drive, except Maxtor, should fine, check the warranty, there's one to five years on hard drives.

If you buy an OEM hard drive, then you will need to buy an 18" SATA data cable, if the hard drive is the boxed retail version, then the cable is included.

Bev.

ejn63 · Answer

You need a SATA drive for that system. It supports only two EIDE devices, and if you have two CD/DVD drives, you cannot add another.

Tyba1982 · Answer

Thanks so much for the quick replies.   I have two DVD drives, does that mean the hard drive I have now is a SATA drive?  If that doesn't settle it how can I be certain about the HD my PC has now?

tattoo113 · Answer

Hi Bev Ive got a little problem, I tried that but wont reconize the *0Gb only the 40Gb. Someone told me because I have Windows Vista on the 80GB I cant have 2 hard drives on the Dell. Is this right? Thanks and have a great weekend.
John

shesagordie · Answer

Tyba1982   Yes, Dell only installs SATA hard drives in the D-8400.   Bev.

ejn63 · Answer

No. Did you enable the drive in setup (f2)?

Tyba1982 · Answer

So this drive should be just fine with my 8400, right?   Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000KS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

shesagordie · Answer

Tyba1982   The SATA hard drive, shown in your should be fine, as it's an OEM drive, remember to buy an 18' SATA data cable. There should be a spare power connector already inside the case.   http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136014   Bev.

tattoo113 · Answer

Hi I enabled it in set up. but it only shows the 40GB drive. Am I doing something wrong. Thanks John

Tyba1982 · Answer

Not sure where I get this link, I've been reading up on hard drives on and off all day =) ... but you may need to do this to get your drive to work

http://www.seagate.com/support/kb/disc/howto/install_xp_disk_mgmt.html

(wow, i got this from the 3rd post in this thread... sorry Bev, didn't mean to steal your link :smileytongue: )

Message Edited by Tyba1982 on 06-30-200610:03 PM

Tyba1982 · Answer

Thanks Bev... you've been a lot of help =)

I've learned a little about SATA drives today and see that it stands for Serial ATA drives... I see that newegg offers both SATA 3.0GB/s drives and Serial ATA150 drives... is my 8400 optimized for both? Will my PC run both? Which of the two is better?

Message Edited by Tyba1982 on 06-30-200609:48 PM

shesagordie · Answer

Tyba1982   Yes, the D-8400 supports SATA 150, but you can install SATA 300 hard drives without a problem.   If both SATA 150 and 300 drive models are 7200 rpm, this will limit them to a practical maximum speed, in the 60-65 MBps range.   SATA > Serial Advanced Technology Attachment.   Bev.

shesagordie · Answer

Tyba1982   Don't worry about it  :smileywink:   Have a great July 4th.   Bev.

tattoo113 · Answer

Hi bios sees the 40GB hard drive now it is enable put how can I get it so I can pick either Windows XP PRO or Windows Vista Beta 2 on boot. Thanks and have a great 4th. John

csvsnake · Answer

I have a question. I currently have a dimension 8400 and realized that since i have a cd drive and a dvd drive installed i no longer am able to install a ide hard drive into my computer right?

Well what if i only needed the hard drive installed for a few minutes and i didnt need one or either of the cd or dvd drives when i was using the hard drive, would i be able to do that. Would i be able to take out my cd or dvd drive and install a ide hard drive for a few minutes?

Also, i need it to be an ide hard drive because i will be using it with my ps2 which doesnt support a sata drive.

Message Edited by csvsnake on 07-02-200607:56 AM

Well i just read that the ide cable for cd/dvd drives is different than the one that connects to a hard drive. So there is NO way to connect a ide hard drive to a sata cable, other than buying an adapter?

Message Edited by csvsnake on 07-02-200608:44 AM

Storage, Drives & Media

Dimension 8400 HD Help

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