Sophorus
asked on
how to set up system with IDE HD/CD-RW and SCSI HD/CD
I recently purchased a Dell Optiplex GXpro (USB enhanced). The system has a AHA-2940Ultra Wide SCSI host adaptor, an IBM 2GB SCSI hard drive and a SCSI CD-Rom. I would like to use this system to create photo and music CD's (copy from HD and copy from CD to CD burner). I have an older NEC IDE 2.1 GB HD, which I would like to install to be used as temporary storage for picture files. I am planning to purchase a CD burner (IDE since SCSI is more expensive).
My plan is to install the NEC HD as the non-boot drive on IDE conector 1 (keep SCSI HD as boot), to install CD burner on IDE connector 2.
Questions:
1. Is this the best way to set this up for the intended purpose (move image files from camera through USB to HD to CD)?
2. If so, how can I get the system to boot from SCSI HD whith IDE HD on connector 1 (connector 2 is not recommended for HD's)?
3. If not, how should I proceed?
Thanks for leading me through this.
N.B. if you feel that this deserves more points, just let me know.
My plan is to install the NEC HD as the non-boot drive on IDE conector 1 (keep SCSI HD as boot), to install CD burner on IDE connector 2.
Questions:
1. Is this the best way to set this up for the intended purpose (move image files from camera through USB to HD to CD)?
2. If so, how can I get the system to boot from SCSI HD whith IDE HD on connector 1 (connector 2 is not recommended for HD's)?
3. If not, how should I proceed?
Thanks for leading me through this.
N.B. if you feel that this deserves more points, just let me know.
From the sounds of it and with Magarity's help, you'll be fine.
ASKER
Is there a not so obvious way that would allow me to boot to
SCSI when IDE HD is installed (IDE connector 1, primary drive 0). Setup doesn't have an option for boot sequence other than turning off the floppy. My user guide isn't very clear on this, but it seems to suggest that if a SCSI HD is present it has to be the boot drive.
I am using Win98 and the Bios is Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A06.
SCSI when IDE HD is installed (IDE connector 1, primary drive 0). Setup doesn't have an option for boot sequence other than turning off the floppy. My user guide isn't very clear on this, but it seems to suggest that if a SCSI HD is present it has to be the boot drive.
I am using Win98 and the Bios is Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A06.
Depending on the machine, a SCSI bios will normally take over and allow it to immediately boot the machine if there is no setting in the bios for it. Sorta like some Compaq machines. They autodetect the boot drive. You may have an older bios version from the looks of it also. Try going to Dell's website and looking up the model number and getting a newer bios.
ASKER
I forgot to clarify that the problem is that the SCSI HD will only boot if if the IDE HD's are disabled. In other words I can't boot to SCSI and still have an IDE HD installed (or enabled).
So, if I restate my questions:
1. Is there a significant performance advantage when the system boots and operates (Win98) on SCSI HD?
2. Or is there a substantial disadvantage in setting up the SCSI HD to write to a IDE CD burner?
3. If it is indeed advantageous to boot and run the OS on the SCSI HD, how can I get around the setup limitation according to which IDE HD must be disabled to boot to SCSI?
So, if I restate my questions:
1. Is there a significant performance advantage when the system boots and operates (Win98) on SCSI HD?
2. Or is there a substantial disadvantage in setting up the SCSI HD to write to a IDE CD burner?
3. If it is indeed advantageous to boot and run the OS on the SCSI HD, how can I get around the setup limitation according to which IDE HD must be disabled to boot to SCSI?
ASKER
I forgot to clarify that the problem is that the SCSI HD will only boot if if the IDE HD's are disabled. In other words I can't boot to SCSI and still have an IDE HD installed (or enabled).
So, if I restate my questions:
1. Is there a significant performance advantage when the system boots and operates (Win98) on SCSI HD?
2. Or is there a substantial disadvantage in setting up the SCSI HD to write to a IDE CD burner?
3. If it is indeed advantageous to boot and run the OS on the SCSI HD, how can I get around the setup limitation according to which IDE HD must be disabled to boot to SCSI?
So, if I restate my questions:
1. Is there a significant performance advantage when the system boots and operates (Win98) on SCSI HD?
2. Or is there a substantial disadvantage in setting up the SCSI HD to write to a IDE CD burner?
3. If it is indeed advantageous to boot and run the OS on the SCSI HD, how can I get around the setup limitation according to which IDE HD must be disabled to boot to SCSI?
1. You will need a benchmarking program to tell the difference.
2. No. Why can't you boot Win from the IDE drive and use the SCSI hard drive as temporary storage for files you want to put on the CD-R?
3. No noticable advantage on this system. Again, why not boot from IDE?
2. No. Why can't you boot Win from the IDE drive and use the SCSI hard drive as temporary storage for files you want to put on the CD-R?
3. No noticable advantage on this system. Again, why not boot from IDE?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Thanks for your very helpful comments.
"Thanks for your very helpful comments."
Sure, no problem. Let me know anytime you need someone to supply answers for someone else to write "I agree with...".
Sure, no problem. Let me know anytime you need someone to supply answers for someone else to write "I agree with...".
Don't get sour magarity, it's up to Sophorus to choose who they give the answer to!
I agree that you deserved the points as much if not more than me, so here is a points question for you as you deserve it!
I'd have preferred for someone else to get it if all that was given was a B grade anyway!!
https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qManageQuestion.jsp?ta=hardgen&qid=20261093
I agree that you deserved the points as much if not more than me, so here is a points question for you as you deserve it!
I'd have preferred for someone else to get it if all that was given was a B grade anyway!!
https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qManageQuestion.jsp?ta=hardgen&qid=20261093
why?
2. BIOS will have an option for either 'Boot sequence' in which you select SCSI to be first, or 'Boot off-board controllers first'. Varies from BIOS to BIOS, sorry I can't tell exactly what your system will list. Write back if you need more help.
3. It will work; see #2.
I assume you are using Win98/ME/2000 or XP and not Win95 or NT?