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Adding 2nd HD to Dimension E310
I have a Dimension E310 with a 160 GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM). Windows XP Media Edition.
I want to add a 250GB SATA drive and have a different operating system installed on it.
Is it possible to add the drive and configure BIOS so that it is not part of a RAID setup, and be able to boot from either one by changing the boot order in BIOS when needed?
I have BIOS v.A04
- The 310 lacks RAID support, so that's not an issue. What will be an issue is that the 310 doesn't come with a bracket/shell for a second drive, so you'll need to order one of these from Dell (they're nonstandard, proprietary parts). Dell Spare Parts 1-800-449-3355 ext 7269937
GioAguilar
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Posted March 4th, 2007 23:00
Well you can add the HDD you mentioned with no problem to the computer, just make sure you don't activate the RAID setting because if you do, you may lose all the info in there. So just plug the HDD and turn on the computer... Nothing else is neededshesagordie
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Posted March 5th, 2007 00:00
palominas
You can buy a Dell OEM hard drive mounting tray for the E310 for $4.99 from here and a SATA data cable 24" or longer "Straight-to-Right Angle" will be required, like the unit shown here.
Bev.
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Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.- Has anyone had any experience with a SATA card and be willing to recommend a card for a Dimension E310. I have 1 PCI slot and 1 PCIx1 slot open for a SATA card. I am trying to install a 2nd hard drive and want to be able to boot from it. As I understand it I would not be able to boot from a 2nd drive that was plugged into the on board SATA. Thanks
- "As I understand it I would not be able to boot from a 2nd drive that was plugged into the on board SATA"If the bios recognizes the sata card, you can set the card as first boot device, then It will boot from the hard drive atteched to it..I recommend Promise or Siig brand cards.
mombodog
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12735 Posts
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Posted March 4th, 2007 19:00