Dimension E310 And Dimension 2350

Question

I have a few questions. I have 3 pci slots in my dimension 2350 (working great except the 3rd slots never worked) and its time to get a sound card... since i have the video card and tv tuner taking up the other spaces. I have invested already in a 300gb harddrive memory and of course those 2 pci cards (video/tv tuner) I believe the hard drives in the dimension 2350 is a IDE and i have it set up as primary and slave. Tech specs on the dell page says the Dimension E310 takes IDE but when i search for the manual on the site it says it takes serial ata..... So will my hard drive work ?? or will i need to buy a new one.. sigh..? I believe the e310 has 2 pci and a pcie slot.. so it will fit my current cards. + ill just buy a pcie sound card.. Will the dimension 2350's memory  ( i have a 256mb and 512mb stick in there) Work in the dimension E310? If the Dimension 2350 parts i have will not work in the Dimension E310 can you recommend a diffrent dell that they will work in thats cheap? thanks.

shesagordie · Answer

Dragonfiregum

The E310 supports two SATA drives with only one IDE connector on the motherboard for two IDE drives.

Installing an additional IDE hard drive in a E310,

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_harddrive&message.id=110525

You may find it easier to buy a second SATA hard drive.

The D-2350 memory will not work in the E310.

The nearest to a D-2350 is the B110/1100, that is a very basic entry level system.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim1100/en/SM/index.htm

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2350/

The E310 has onboard video, no PCIe x 16 slot, just one PCIe x 1 slot and two PCI slots

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3100/en/sm/techov0.htm#wp1052309

Bev.

shesagordie · Answer

Dragonfiregum

Yes, an IDE hard drive, can be installed in the E310, there's a link in my post about this. With SATA you only install one drive on each data cable, unlike IDE data cables, where two drives [Master & Slave] can be installed on each cable.

The E310 motherboard has two SATA connectors for two drives and only one, IDE connector for two IDE drives. A link to the E310 motherboard is included in my post.

The following may explaining installing SATA hard drives in the E310,

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3100/en/sm/parts0.htm#wp1043338

Note= The plastic guide bracket, is not included, unless you configure a second SATA hard drive with the order.

Bev.

Dragonfiregum · Answer

Im not quite sure what your saying? I think the dimension 2350 is the same way with the hard drive? it comes from the mobo and had a single end for the original single hard drive. I had to buy a IDE cable and replace the old. So that it went from harddrive to the slave, and then v'd off onto the master.I think that cable will work? As for mounting the hard drive im not sure as i have never seen the inside of the 'E' but the 2350 i have a additional metal bracket screwd into the one that was already there. Could you maybe provide a few links of things your talking about? And from what im getting my hard drive will work fine?

Dragonfiregum · Answer

'Dragonfiregum   Yes, an IDE hard drive, can be installed in the E310, there's a link in my post about this.   With SATA you only install one drive on each data cable, unlike IDE data cables, where two drives [Master & Slave] can be installed on each cable. The E310 motherboard has two SATA connectors for two drives and only one, IDE connector for two IDE drives.  A link to the E310 motherboard is included in my post.   The following may explaining installing SATA hard drives in the E310,   http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3100/en/sm/parts0.htm#wp1043338        Note= The plastic guide bracket, is not included, unless you configure a second SATA hard drive with the order.   Bev.' Ok, i think that works as long as i can run the IDE drive and the Sata HD's at the same time. ( i think it comes with a SATA with it right?) Is there a place i can buy plastic brackets? It looks like theres only room for 1 extra hard drive.( 1 extra bay)and 1 spot in the floppy drive space if you choose no floppy.. So i guessi can put my 300gb and leave the 60 in the 2350..It looks like in the manual there theres a spot to snap/plug in the IDE cable thats empty.Where the floppy drive would go to..pic shown on installing floppy drive.I could steal its bay? also/and the optional 2nd hard drive bay is only if i choose to buy another hard drive from dell? or is there a option to just get the bay with no drive?  And i can leave my memory in the 2350 also ( the 256 it came with) and move the 512 to my brothers computer. ( almost same dell, takes same type)I guess all ill hafta do is buy memory :) Thanks :) for your help so far.

shesagordie · Answer

Dragonfiregum wrote:

Ok, i think that works as long as i can run the IDE drive and the Sata HD's at the same time. ( i think it comes with a SATA with it right?)

SATA is the standard hard drive Dell installs in this system.

Is there a place i can buy plastic brackets?

Yes, to buy this bracket, call Dell Spare Parts @ 1-800-357-3355 option 4, M-F 7 to 7 CDT and have the system's "Service Tag" handy.
or you could try browsing eBay for the plastic bracket, the Dimension 5100/E510 bracket will also, fit the E310.

It looks like theres only room for 1 extra hard drive.( 1 extra bay)and 1 spot in the floppy drive space if you choose no floppy.. So i guessi can put my 300gb and leave the 60 in the 2350..It looks like in the manual there theres a spot to snap/plug in the IDE cable thats

empty.

There are only, ONE IDE and one floppy drive connectors on the motherboard. You cannot plug an 40-pin IDE cable into the FD connector.

Where the floppy drive would go to..pic shown on installing floppy drive.I could steal its bay? also/and the optional 2nd hard drive bay is only if i choose to buy another hard drive from dell? or is there a option to just get the bay with no drive?

As far as I know, there is no option to buy the bracket, without the SATA hard drive.

And i can leave my memory in the 2350 also ( the 256 it came with) and move the 512 to my brothers computer. ( almost same dell, takes same type)I guess all ill hafta do is buy memory

Thanks

for your help so far.

A hint, buy the Dell XP reinstallation CD, when you configure the order, this can save you a lot of aggro later on.

Bev.

Dragonfiregum · Answer

' There are only, ONE IDE and one floppy drive connectors on the motherboard.   You cannot plug an 40-pin IDE cable into the FD connector. ' oh i figured the floppy used  IDE , and id have to disconnect a floppy ( or not get floppy) or disconnect a cd drive and swap in another cable. I guess not in this case. After browsing thru that diagram for a bit i see its next to the sata connections.   If this stupid dimension 2350's mobo's 3rd pci slot would have worked since i got it i wouldnt be buying another computer. But i need a sound card thats good. For setting up the computers into a new room All together. Thanks for the XP disc tip. I hope this computer will last as long as all the rest of mine have (forever... basiclly, cept for the 1 i bought from a 'local' shop. All my name brands with just upgrades and swapped in/out parts have never broken down, unless you count part of the 2350's mobo not working but its never worked. And there was no way for me to know before the warranty ran out since i didnt try to use it till after then) Id always get the disc. Theres lots of reasons to need it.. not just restore (LOL) Message Edited by Dragonfiregum on 07-06-200601:35 AM

shesagordie · Answer

Dragonfiregum   That's what I thought happened, hence the reason for mentioning it   :smileyhappy:   Bev.

Storage, Drives & Media

Dimension E310 And Dimension 2350

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