installing 2nd drive into DIM 9200

I have a DIM 9200 purchased last spring- it came with a 160 gig SATA II
drive. Since I'm going to be purchasing a camcorder I decided to add a
second drive. I just got a 500 gig WD Caviar drive, also a SATA II. It came
with no installation instructions. The Dell manual gives instructions in how
to physically install it- I think I can handle that (several years ago I did
a lot of this sort of thing), but I'm not familiar with the current OS
issues. The Dell manual says to go to BIOS, go to Drives section and under
SATA 0 through 5, set the SATA ports to the correct configuration. I have no
idea what that means- I suppose I could figure it out when I get there, but
I don't like surprises and would prefer to know ahead of time what I'm
facing. How am I supposed to know the "correct configuration"?

Then the DELL manual says to refer to the drive's documentation for
"instructions about installing any software required for the operation of
the hard drive". I doubt that will be necessary, but I don't know for sure.

My Dell's OS is Vista Ultimate.

Help will be appreciated.

Joe

On Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:57:58 GMT, "Joe" <> wrote:

>I have a DIM 9200 purchased last spring- it came with a 160 gig SATA II
>drive. Since I'm going to be purchasing a camcorder I decided to add a
>second drive. I just got a 500 gig WD Caviar drive, also a SATA II. It came
>with no installation instructions. The Dell manual gives instructions in how
>to physically install it- I think I can handle that (several years ago I did
>a lot of this sort of thing), but I'm not familiar with the current OS
>issues. The Dell manual says to go to BIOS, go to Drives section and under
>SATA 0 through 5, set the SATA ports to the correct configuration. I have no
>idea what that means- I suppose I could figure it out when I get there, but
>I don't like surprises and would prefer to know ahead of time what I'm
>facing. How am I supposed to know the "correct configuration"?
>
>Then the DELL manual says to refer to the drive's documentation for
>"instructions about installing any software required for the operation of
>the hard drive". I doubt that will be necessary, but I don't know for sure.
>
>My Dell's OS is Vista Ultimate.
>
>Help will be appreciated.
>
>Joe

When I put a second SATA drive in my 9150 I don't remember doing
anything other than turning the computer back on.

Dick

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Joe, after the new SATA HD has been installed, turn that port ON in the
BIOS. You will see that unused ports are turned OFF. I have a 9150 but I'd
expect your 9200 to be similar.

On Dec 15, 5:46 am, "Brian K" <remove_t...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Joe, after the new SATA HD has been installed, turn that port ON in the
> BIOS. You will see that unused ports are turned OFF. I have a 9150 but I'd
> expect your 9200 to be similar.

Yes, conversely in a setup with more than one drive, if you remove the
second drive and leave the BIOS as-is you get a couple of beeps and a
"drive 1 not found" error.

On Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:57:58 GMT, "Joe" <> wrote:

>I have a DIM 9200 purchased last spring- it came with a 160 gig SATA II
>drive. Since I'm going to be purchasing a camcorder I decided to add a
>second drive. I just got a 500 gig WD Caviar drive, also a SATA II. It came
>with no installation instructions. The Dell manual gives instructions in how
>to physically install it- I think I can handle that (several years ago I did
>a lot of this sort of thing), but I'm not familiar with the current OS
>issues. The Dell manual says to go to BIOS, go to Drives section and under
>SATA 0 through 5, set the SATA ports to the correct configuration. I have no
>idea what that means- I suppose I could figure it out when I get there, but
>I don't like surprises and would prefer to know ahead of time what I'm
>facing. How am I supposed to know the "correct configuration"?
>
>Then the DELL manual says to refer to the drive's documentation for
>"instructions about installing any software required for the operation of
>the hard drive". I doubt that will be necessary, but I don't know for sure.
>
>My Dell's OS is Vista Ultimate.
>
>Help will be appreciated.
>
>Joe

You should not have to do anything other than plug it up and start the
computer. Since you already have a SATA Drive, then SATA has
definately not been disabled. So as not to be fearful in the future of
having to do things which might require getting into the Bios, just go
and take a look under the hood. At the Dell Boot screen punch the F2
key once or twice and that should get you there. You shouldn't have to
change anything in the bios for this task.

Gregg

> -----Original Message-----
> From: gregg [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
> Posted At: Saturday, December 15, 2007 8:37 AM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: installing 2nd drive into DIM 9200
> Subject: Re: installing 2nd drive into DIM 9200
>
> On Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:57:58 GMT, "Joe" <> wrote:
>
> >I have a DIM 9200 purchased last spring- it came with a 160 gig SATA
> II
> >drive. Since I'm going to be purchasing a camcorder I decided to add
a
> >second drive. I just got a 500 gig WD Caviar drive, also a SATA II.
It
> came
> >with no installation instructions. The Dell manual gives instructions
> in how
> >to physically install it- I think I can handle that (several years
ago
> I did
> >a lot of this sort of thing), but I'm not familiar with the current
OS
> >issues. The Dell manual says to go to BIOS, go to Drives section and
> under
> >SATA 0 through 5, set the SATA ports to the correct configuration. I
> have no
> >idea what that means- I suppose I could figure it out when I get
> there, but
> >I don't like surprises and would prefer to know ahead of time what
I'm
> >facing. How am I supposed to know the "correct configuration"?
> >
> >Then the DELL manual says to refer to the drive's documentation for
> >"instructions about installing any software required for the
operation
> of
> >the hard drive". I doubt that will be necessary, but I don't know for
> sure.
> >
> >My Dell's OS is Vista Ultimate.
> >
> >Help will be appreciated.
> >
> >Joe
>
> You should not have to do anything other than plug it up and start the
> computer. Since you already have a SATA Drive, then SATA has
> definately not been disabled. So as not to be fearful in the future of
> having to do things which might require getting into the Bios, just go
> and take a look under the hood. At the Dell Boot screen punch the F2
> key once or twice and that should get you there. You shouldn't have to
> change anything in the bios for this task.
>
> Gregg


Unfortunately, this is incorrect. He DOES have to go into the BIOS.

When you plug in the new drive, note which SATA port you used. It's
printed on the motherboard in small type, so a flash light is helpful.
Then when the machine boots, go into the BIOS and enabled that port.

It will work if you don't, but the performance of the drive will be
TERRIBLE. It will run in PIO mode.

I have four of these, so I've done this often. I have over 7TB of disk
in them.

Tom and others,

You're right Tom, at least in my case - the Dell didn't see the new drive at
all. I went into BIOS and turned on that port, as you suggested I did read
the number off the MB.

Under the listing of the ports- there is something about RAID, which by
default was ON- I didn't dare change it- presumably the 2 drives are not now
going to function as a RAID system.

And, when I asked about SATA some weeks ago- you mentioned that I needed a
SATA cable with a right angled end to plug into the hard drive- I had
forgotten that and just picked up a cable at a local computer shop- but he
only had a cable with both ends the same and no right angle turn- so, I
can't close the case at this time- which doesn't bother me all that much, I
can order one. Actually, I had no idea that the drive would not come with a
cable or that the cable wouldn't already be in the case- this is the first
time I've opened a PC case in several years. Back in the old days, the hard
drive cables each had 2 connections so I was quite surprised to find no
cable.

As of this moment the drive is formatting- very slow, but that's OK.

Joe
PS: the interior of the tower sure looks a lot better designed- much neater
than the PCs from a decade ago.


"Tom Scales" <> wrote in message
news:21E76E8D9F5B477B97A57E5B93CCD451@M2010...
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: gregg [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
>> Posted At: Saturday, December 15, 2007 8:37 AM
>> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
>> Conversation: installing 2nd drive into DIM 9200
>> Subject: Re: installing 2nd drive into DIM 9200
>>
>> On Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:57:58 GMT, "Joe" <> wrote:
>>
>> >I have a DIM 9200 purchased last spring- it came with a 160 gig SATA
>> II
>> >drive. Since I'm going to be purchasing a camcorder I decided to add
> a
>> >second drive. I just got a 500 gig WD Caviar drive, also a SATA II.
> It
>> came
>> >with no installation instructions. The Dell manual gives instructions
>> in how
>> >to physically install it- I think I can handle that (several years
> ago
>> I did
>> >a lot of this sort of thing), but I'm not familiar with the current
> OS
>> >issues. The Dell manual says to go to BIOS, go to Drives section and
>> under
>> >SATA 0 through 5, set the SATA ports to the correct configuration. I
>> have no
>> >idea what that means- I suppose I could figure it out when I get
>> there, but
>> >I don't like surprises and would prefer to know ahead of time what
> I'm
>> >facing. How am I supposed to know the "correct configuration"?
>> >
>> >Then the DELL manual says to refer to the drive's documentation for
>> >"instructions about installing any software required for the
> operation
>> of
>> >the hard drive". I doubt that will be necessary, but I don't know for
>> sure.
>> >
>> >My Dell's OS is Vista Ultimate.
>> >
>> >Help will be appreciated.
>> >
>> >Joe
>>
>> You should not have to do anything other than plug it up and start the
>> computer. Since you already have a SATA Drive, then SATA has
>> definately not been disabled. So as not to be fearful in the future of
>> having to do things which might require getting into the Bios, just go
>> and take a look under the hood. At the Dell Boot screen punch the F2
>> key once or twice and that should get you there. You shouldn't have to
>> change anything in the bios for this task.
>>
>> Gregg
>
>
> Unfortunately, this is incorrect. He DOES have to go into the BIOS.
>
> When you plug in the new drive, note which SATA port you used. It's
> printed on the motherboard in small type, so a flash light is helpful.
> Then when the machine boots, go into the BIOS and enabled that port.
>
> It will work if you don't, but the performance of the drive will be
> TERRIBLE. It will run in PIO mode.
>
> I have four of these, so I've done this often. I have over 7TB of disk
> in them.
>

Make sure you go into Device Manager and confirm it is running UDMA
after the format. If you did the full format (not Quick) then it will
take awhile.

As for the cable, there is an easy solution if you do not have both the
floppy drive AND the card reader. If not, put the drive in the empty
slot and use the regular cable.

I have four drives in mine and it works great.

Tom

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joe [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
> Posted At: Saturday, December 15, 2007 2:14 PM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: installing 2nd drive into DIM 9200
> Subject: Re: installing 2nd drive into DIM 9200
>
> Tom and others,
>
> You're right Tom, at least in my case - the Dell didn't see the new
> drive at
> all. I went into BIOS and turned on that port, as you suggested I did
> read
> the number off the MB.
>
> Under the listing of the ports- there is something about RAID, which
by
> default was ON- I didn't dare change it- presumably the 2 drives are
> not now
> going to function as a RAID system.
>
> And, when I asked about SATA some weeks ago- you mentioned that I
> needed a
> SATA cable with a right angled end to plug into the hard drive- I had
> forgotten that and just picked up a cable at a local computer shop-
but
> he
> only had a cable with both ends the same and no right angle turn- so,
I
> can't close the case at this time- which doesn't bother me all that
> much, I
> can order one. Actually, I had no idea that the drive would not come
> with a
> cable or that the cable wouldn't already be in the case- this is the
> first
> time I've opened a PC case in several years. Back in the old days, the
> hard
> drive cables each had 2 connections so I was quite surprised to find
no
> cable.
>
> As of this moment the drive is formatting- very slow, but that's OK.
>
> Joe
> PS: the interior of the tower sure looks a lot better designed- much
> neater
> than the PCs from a decade ago.
>
>
> "Tom Scales" <> wrote in message
> news:21E76E8D9F5B477B97A57E5B93CCD451@M2010...
> >
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: gregg [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
> >> Posted At: Saturday, December 15, 2007 8:37 AM
> >> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> >> Conversation: installing 2nd drive into DIM 9200
> >> Subject: Re: installing 2nd drive into DIM 9200
> >>
> >> On Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:57:58 GMT, "Joe" <> wrote:
> >>
> >> >I have a DIM 9200 purchased last spring- it came with a 160 gig
> SATA
> >> II
> >> >drive. Since I'm going to be purchasing a camcorder I decided to
> add
> > a
> >> >second drive. I just got a 500 gig WD Caviar drive, also a SATA
II.
> > It
> >> came
> >> >with no installation instructions. The Dell manual gives
> instructions
> >> in how
> >> >to physically install it- I think I can handle that (several years
> > ago
> >> I did
> >> >a lot of this sort of thing), but I'm not familiar with the
current
> > OS
> >> >issues. The Dell manual says to go to BIOS, go to Drives section
> and
> >> under
> >> >SATA 0 through 5, set the SATA ports to the correct configuration.
> I
> >> have no
> >> >idea what that means- I suppose I could figure it out when I get
> >> there, but
> >> >I don't like surprises and would prefer to know ahead of time what
> > I'm
> >> >facing. How am I supposed to know the "correct configuration"?
> >> >
> >> >Then the DELL manual says to refer to the drive's documentation
for
> >> >"instructions about installing any software required for the
> > operation
> >> of
> >> >the hard drive". I doubt that will be necessary, but I don't know
> for
> >> sure.
> >> >
> >> >My Dell's OS is Vista Ultimate.
> >> >
> >> >Help will be appreciated.
> >> >
> >> >Joe
> >>
> >> You should not have to do anything other than plug it up and start
> the
> >> computer. Since you already have a SATA Drive, then SATA has
> >> definately not been disabled. So as not to be fearful in the future
> of
> >> having to do things which might require getting into the Bios, just
> go
> >> and take a look under the hood. At the Dell Boot screen punch the
F2
> >> key once or twice and that should get you there. You shouldn't have
> to
> >> change anything in the bios for this task.
> >>
> >> Gregg
> >
> >
> > Unfortunately, this is incorrect. He DOES have to go into the BIOS.
> >
> > When you plug in the new drive, note which SATA port you used. It's
> > printed on the motherboard in small type, so a flash light is
> helpful.
> > Then when the machine boots, go into the BIOS and enabled that port.
> >
> > It will work if you don't, but the performance of the drive will be
> > TERRIBLE. It will run in PIO mode.
> >
> > I have four of these, so I've done this often. I have over 7TB of
> disk
> > in them.
> >

Tom, where do you find that in Device Manager?



"Tom Scales" <> wrote in message
news:C5180672C9C6423FAB5A7D05B5F18B2B@M2010...
> Make sure you go into Device Manager and confirm it is running UDMA
> after the format.

On Dec 15, 7:26 pm, "Tom Scales" <tjsca...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I have four drives in mine and it works great.
>
> Tom
>

Tom, do you still have the original PSU or did you upgrade?

I'm tempted to add to my existing 2 hard drives but was curious as to
whether the PSU would handle it.