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August 21st, 2010 17:00
SATA Cables
I have a Dimension E521 and am trying to add a 2nd hard drive. I was able to get the drive in and I thought there was a 2nd data cable inside. There is a 2nd power cable but no data cable. I assumed there must be a cable with a Y adapter to connect to both drives but I have had no luck (especially with Dell). The computer shows the drive if I attach the data cable to it but then I can't boot up the computer. Any suggestions would be readily appreciated.
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shesagordie
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August 21st, 2010 18:00
lb423
Only one SATA drive can be connected to each SATA data cable.
You need to buy another SATA data cable for the additional hard drive, similar to THIS, try to buy the cable from a local computer store, to save on the S&H.
The additional SATA hard drive needs to be connected to SATA-1 on the motherboard.
The details for installing the second hard drive are HERE.
After the internal hard drive is installed, enter the Setup and check that the drive is set to auto [on]. In order for windows to recognize the second hard drive, it must be partitioned and formatted, using Windows Disk Management.
Details of the System Setup are HERE.
Use one of the SATA power connectors [P3, P5, P8 and P9] inside the case, see HERE for details.
Bev.
lb423
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August 27th, 2010 17:00
It took me a few days to get the appropriate cable. I attached it but I am still having no luck in getting the drive to appear. It shows in System Set-up and is ON, but isn't showing when I go to Computer from Start. I wondered if this could be a problem: when I opened to connect the cable, there was another cable on SATA1but it was connected to one of the DVD drives. This was how it came on initial purchase from Dell. I did reconnect it to SATA3, I think, and connected the new cable to the drive. The computer works fine, but the new drive doesn't show up. Should there be software for it? None was sent with the drive from Dell. Anyway, I am not sure what to do next.
ejn63
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August 27th, 2010 18:00
Go into the BIOS and turn on the SATA 3 port (F2 at powerup). Then open the disc manager (in the control panel under computer management) and partition and format the drive.
shesagordie
12 Elder
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46K Posts
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August 27th, 2010 18:00
lb423
For Windows to see the additional hard drive, it needs to be partitioned and formatted.
If you using Vista, THESE are generic instructions for installing an additional hard drive using Windows Vista Disk Management.
If you have XP, use the following,
HOW to partition and format a secondary Hard Drive With Windows XP Disk Management.
Bev.