Hard Drive Question

[TraJ]

I recently bought a CD-RW for my computer. I have two IDE connections on my motherboard, each supporting two devices. I have the CD-RW and DVD on one. The hard drive is on the other. Before buying the CD-RW, I had the DVD and a Zip drive together. I don't have the Zip drive connected at the moment because the position of my hard drive inside my computer case makes it impossible for the second connector to reach my Zip drive.

I have a Dell XPS T-450 (the older beige Dell cases). My hard drive is placed vertically at the front of the computer case. I was wondering if it would affect anything if I put it in one of the bays instead. It's position in the case seems well ventilated; it also fits tightly in place. I was wondering if moving it to one of the bays (where it might not be as well ventilated or fit as snug, thus perhaps vibrating more) is unwise. If not, is there anything I need to know about, anything I need to be especially concerned with?

Thanks.

[Ottomaton]

I don't think you'll have an issue, though it is possible. I have 4 10k RPM SCSI drives and if I put them all against each other, one of them starts giving the 'click of death' from heat, but that's an extreme example.

Things to consider -

Most zip drives are PIO Mode 0, so if your IDE HD is on say a U66 controller, the zip drive would basically kill the x-fer speeds.

It is possible to get a really long IDE cable. I've seen them as long as ~4 feet.

I assume you're talking about putting it in one of the 3.5" bays. If heat becomes an issue a conversion kit (roughly $5) would enable it to fit in one of the 5.25" bays. Also, they make IDE drive fans that take a normal-sized HD and put them in 5.25" bays to get a breeze accross them. They're generally not more than $20.

[TraJ]

Originally, I thought about just buying a 36-inch IDE cable. That would do the trick. But I talked with a guy at a computer store today who told me that anything beyond about 18 inches might cause data corruption or lose or something like that. I didn't much like that thought, especially in the same context as the data on my hard drive. My Zip drive isn't absolutely essential, especially now that I have a CD-RW. But since it's there, I'd like it to function. I guess I could leave it "unplugged" unless I absolutely need it for something and pull the connection off the DVD player.

[Ottomaton]

Don't trust sales people at computer stores. They are little more than consumers with a bully pulpit. I've heard more outright falshoods from computer sales people who delever their BS in the hope that they will be viewed with the reverence that they hold for the techs that they really would like to be.

[Dr of Dunk]

Originally posted by TraJ
Originally, I thought about just buying a 36-inch IDE cable. That would do the trick. But I talked with a guy at a computer store today who told me that anything beyond about 18 inches might cause data corruption or lose or something like that.

The IDE spec I believe calls for an IDE cable to be no longer than 18 inches. Will you find cables longer than that? Sure. Is data corruption possible because the cable is too long? Sure. Are you guaranteed data corruption? Nope. Are you willing to take the risk? Dunno. :)

[TraJ]

Since my Zip drive isn't absolutely needed, I fall into the "not willing to take the risk" category. I also don't have any more 5.25 bays to put my hard drive in with a fan. Oh well.