Even so it is still possible. If you only have a single combo DVD writer then there will be one connector free on that IDE ribbon cable. If your the DVD drive is mounted into the lowest bay the cable should reach the old IDE drive if you place it in the top rack for your hard drives. Set the jumpers on it to cable select (DELL's method) and your BIOS should see it and your good to go. If not then you would have to do as suggested by DMC200.
Phil.
@dmc200 wrote:
well a couple things to conside, is your new system sata and your old drive ata?
That stops you right in the tracks.
If that is the case, than connect the two pcs together and transfer data from your old HD to your new one.
If they are both sata then your good to go, call dell support and they will link you to a step by step guide.
My appologies, after looking inside my new XPS 600 I realized that there is not enough cable slack on the DELL ide ribbon cable. I'm not sure if your XPS 400 cable is any different but if it is like my 600 then if you were to attempt this you would definitely need to buy a different ribbon cable. Not a lot of expense but still it would have been nice if you could have used the factory original.
Just move the CD/DVD Drive to the bottom bay, and put the new hard drive in the top bay - it should work (unless the cable needs a 180 degree twist for the plugs to line up).
Otherwise, you can buy better IDE cables (ribbon and round) which are much longer and also have much more space between the two connectors. I'll try posting some pics the next day or two.
Ahh, the messages were resized, so you'll have to squint. Sorry. Anyone know who'll host larger images for free? Too bad I can't use any of the 4 GB of space my Gmail is supposed to give me.
{edit) Meant also to point out how I needed to cut some of the rubberized-plastic triangles from the extended IDE cables to be able to fit the hard drive cover back on.
(edited again) Oops - That should do it. Sorry if they are too big now!
Message Edited by CTskydiver on 10-31-2005 06:18 PM
Message Edited by CTskydiver on 10-31-2005 06:28 PM
You can see the install of two IDE hard drives in the floppy bay and also the top CD/DVD bay, then the media card reader, DVD burner, and 3 more hard drives ... in the photos there's two SATA drives and one more IDE (PATA) drive. You can see the hard drive bay cover removed in the second picture. All my hard drives are installed face-up, even though it appears the manual says to place the middle drive inverted.
Note the replacement ribbon cables (blue) which are longer than the stock cables in order to reach. One is 18", the other 36" I think. When the case is closed they lie pretty much flat on the bottom (i.e. left side) of the case. Also note the white plastic molex splitters at the top right (for extra IDE(PATA) power). Finally, note the PCI ATA/SATA adapter card in the bottom PCI slot under the dual TV tuner.
Front drive bay covers...
Message Edited by CTskydiver on 10-31-2005 06:26 PM
Message Edited by CTskydiver on 10-31-2005 06:37 PM
CTskydiver
932 Posts
0
October 21st, 2005 06:00
dmc200
43 Posts
0
October 21st, 2005 14:00
Phil1234
2 Intern
•
349 Posts
0
October 21st, 2005 17:00
Even so it is still possible. If you only have a single combo DVD writer then there will be one connector free on that IDE ribbon cable. If your the DVD drive is mounted into the lowest bay the cable should reach the old IDE drive if you place it in the top rack for your hard drives. Set the jumpers on it to cable select (DELL's method) and your BIOS should see it and your good to go. If not then you would have to do as suggested by DMC200.
Phil.
Phil1234
2 Intern
•
349 Posts
0
October 22nd, 2005 12:00
My appologies, after looking inside my new XPS 600 I realized that there is not enough cable slack on the DELL ide ribbon cable. I'm not sure if your XPS 400 cable is any different but if it is like my 600 then if you were to attempt this you would definitely need to buy a different ribbon cable. Not a lot of expense but still it would have been nice if you could have used the factory original.
Message Edited by Phil1234 on 10-22-2005 09:51 AM
CTskydiver
932 Posts
0
October 24th, 2005 05:00
Otherwise, you can buy better IDE cables (ribbon and round) which are much longer and also have much more space between the two connectors. I'll try posting some pics the next day or two.
CTskydiver
932 Posts
0
October 31st, 2005 21:00
{edit) Meant also to point out how I needed to cut some of the rubberized-plastic triangles from the extended IDE cables to be able to fit the hard drive cover back on.
(edited again) Oops - That should do it. Sorry if they are too big now!
Message Edited by CTskydiver on 10-31-2005 06:18 PM
Message Edited by CTskydiver on 10-31-2005 06:28 PM
CTskydiver
932 Posts
0
October 31st, 2005 21:00
You can see the install of two IDE hard drives in the floppy bay and also the top CD/DVD bay, then the media card reader, DVD burner, and 3 more hard drives ... in the photos there's two SATA drives and one more IDE (PATA) drive. You can see the hard drive bay cover removed in the second picture. All my hard drives are installed face-up, even though it appears the manual says to place the middle drive inverted.
Note the replacement ribbon cables (blue) which are longer than the stock cables in order to reach. One is 18", the other 36" I think. When the case is closed they lie pretty much flat on the bottom (i.e. left side) of the case. Also note the white plastic molex splitters at the top right (for extra IDE(PATA) power). Finally, note the PCI ATA/SATA adapter card in the bottom PCI slot under the dual TV tuner.
Front drive bay covers...
Message Edited by CTskydiver on 10-31-2005 06:26 PM
Message Edited by CTskydiver on 10-31-2005 06:37 PM
oshkash
1 Message
0
March 22nd, 2006 21:00
here is a free bee for storage :smileyhappy:
http://www.forumsigs.com