Adding a second SATA hard drive to an 8300

Question

I want to add a second SATA hard drive, but there is no second configuration connector nor power connector to do this. Does anyone know how to add another drive? Do you need to buy 'Y' cabling to split the two cables? This is a brand new 8300 and apparently Dell migrated to SATA from PATA, where adding a new drive was easy. Thanks.

shesagordie · Answer

theung. The D/8300 system board has two SATA connectors and maybe the following documentation can help http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dim8300/sm/drives.htm Bev.

theung · Answer

Thanks, Bev, but I cannot find a second set of cables anywhere. I read this documentation, which doesn't address how to 'add' a second SATA drive. Are you saying that I have to get a connector and power cable and plug it into the board?

shesagordie · Answer

theung.

If you buy an OEM SATA drive, [same as Dell supplies] then you will have to furnish your own cables, but if you buy the retail version, then the cables are supplied with the drive. You should be able to purchase these parts at any computer store, such as Fry's, BestBuy and CompUSA.

Bev.

theung · Answer

Thanks again, Bev. It looks like you're right. I opened the case again and found a connector on the board and an extra power cable, but it looks like if you want to add another SATA drive, you have to buy a cable, which I see are not normally included with drives. So much for making things easier .

shesagordie · Answer

theung. You're welcome and pleased to have helped.  You are right, sometimes Dell does not make easy  Good Luck.  Bev. Message Edited by shesagordie on 12-04-2003 04:35 PM

Storage, Drives & Media

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