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RE: Where to install XP?

dugeen — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:37:03 GMT

Closure: it was exactly as you both said. Once I'd installed XP, the system coped happily with the addition of the PATA drive as primary master - once I'd altered two BIOS settings:

- IDE configuration, set 'Parallel ATA IDE controller' to Both (ie Primary and Secondary both enabled). It wouldn't detect the new drive till I'd done that.

- Boot/Hard Disc Drives, alter the boot order so that the SATA drive was still '1st Drive'.

Thanks!

RE: Where to install XP?

compaq2 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:08:10 GMT

No, if the sata hd shows up as C it will remain as C even when you plug in the ide hd.

the ide hd will become E or something like that.

RE: Where to install XP?

dugeen — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:35:07 GMT

Thanks bd - so if I install onto the SATA, then add the PATA, that won't cause the drive letters to be reordered?

(Or perhaps the only way to find out is to try it).

RE: Where to install XP?

bigdaddy — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:10:03 GMT

Welcome to the madhouse.:D
Window$ does not like installing on systems with SATA and IDE hard drives. If you are going to install on the SATA unplug your IDE.
If you are going to install on the IDE unplug the SATA. When Window$ is up and running you will be able to plug the other drive in.
This way should stop you tearing out your hair.:P

Where to install XP?

dugeen — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:04:59 GMT

Hello all

I've just put together a new system with one SATA hard disc and one old style IDE CD ROM drive. The CD ROM is showing as Second IDE Master and the (SATA) hard disc as Third IDE Master. And I intend to install XP Pro onto the SATA hard drive.

I've also got an older PATA hard drive, full of data, which I plan to add to the new system later, when I've got Windows installed and running.

But I'm wondering: when I do add it, it will show up as First IDE Master, so isn't there a chance that Windows won't be able to cope with suddenly finding itself on the second hard disc in the system rather than the first? I'd expect the drive letter of the SATA drive to change from C to E, too, and that's got to cause problems, right?