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longlife

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Adding a slave hard disk drive

Thank for the responces to my inability to install a Western Digital 80Gb SE. I`m sure now the problem was incompatible ribbon as the correct length for a tower case was`t included with the motherboard. A lead from a local shop was then subsequently replaced. One of the symptons was that I couldn`t install software, though obviously Windows XP installed OK.
I swopped to a 40Gb Maxtor 2Gb cache, and Windows had no problems here. However, if it`s fairly straightforward, I`d like to add another 40Gb Maxtor. As Windows XP is now installed would it just be basically a simple plug-in and go? If any problems could occur I`d leave it as it is.          
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Danny Child
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If you need help with the jumper settings, post the exact model here, but the documentation or the stickers on them is normally pretty clear.  

Once installed, the new disk will need to be formatted, under My Computer.. Manage.. Disk Management.. just right click on the blank space where the new disk is, and choose Format.  You can change drive letters here too.  
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Wolfpup99

Just as a side note, many newer computers use Cable Select instead of Master/Slave.  If the existing drive is jumpered as Cable Select, all you have to do is jumper the second one the same.  If it's jumpered as Master, then do as DanCh99 says.

To use Cable Select you need a special cable that is configured for this function, here's some info for the curious:
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/if/ide/confCS-c.html

Oh and now Master/Slave has been replaced with Primary/Secondary.

It wasn't politically correct. hehehehe. ;-)
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Thanks for all the contributions. I`m just pleased I`m only building for myself and not upgrading for someone as there`s so many temporary barriers to cross and added complications with hardware compatible or connecting problems - latest this and that - and terms. I`m completing 3 new PC successfully. It`s all good experience. Longlife
I think georgecooldude is getting confused with the primary and secondary ide channels... ie the physical connectors on the motherboard.
DanCh99,

In general all new componants refer to primary/secondary now. I'm not getting confused.

It means the same anyway...
Thanks for the additional insights.  Longlife