OT: Removable and stationary IDE HDs

TeetimeNC wrote on 1/11/2006, 10:33 AM

I recall several of you are using removable IDE HD's for archiving video. I've also successfully been using removable drives, but have run into a problem after adding a fourth IDE device to my computer.

My removable IDE HD and another IDE HD are installed on my primary IDE cable. My boot drive is a SATA. Everything works great except no matter what I try, the computer won't recognize this stationary HD UNLESS THE REMOVABLE DRIVE IS INSERTED AND TURNED ON. I suspect this is the way IDE works, but would appreciate it if anyone has had a different experience.

Here is how my drives are set up:

1. SATA boot and programs drive
2. SATA capture drive
3. IDE Primary Master - stationary IDE drive
4. IDE Primary Slave - removable IDE drive
5. IDE Secondary Master - DVD Burner
6. IDE Secondary Slave - CD Burner

Here's I've tried that didn't work:
1. With both as Cable Select, tried reversing the position of the stationary and removable drives on the Primary IDE cable.
2. Jumpered the two drives on the IDE Primary, one as Master, other as Slave, and when this didn't work tried reversing them.

NOTE: If I remove the IDE cable from the removable drive rack and start the PC it DOES recognize the 2nd (stationary) drive.

What I would like is to recognize the stationary drive even when the removable drive is turned off or removed.

Thanks,
Jerry

Comments

Former user wrote on 1/11/2006, 1:25 PM

Do you have AUTO detect set up in the Bios?

Dave T2

rmack350 wrote on 1/11/2006, 9:54 PM

You should be able to jumper them as cable select. The master will be at the end of the ribbon and can't be removed unless the slave is also removed. The slave should be on the middle connector and your system ought to run with it removed.

Your removable dock shouldn't be a problem but you might want to try these combinations without it just to make sure. Pull the cable off the dock and try to boot that way just to be sure.

Rob Mack

TeetimeNC wrote on 1/12/2006, 5:54 AM

Yes, all drives are set to Auto detect, and this works properly if the removable drive is inserted and turned on.

TeetimeNC wrote on 1/12/2006, 6:03 AM

Thanks Rob. I currently have them exactly as you state:
1. Both jumpered CS
2. Removable is slave (middle connector), stationary is master.

It DOES work correctly if you remove the IDE connector from the slave removable drive rack. On bootup the bios sees only the stationary (master). But if you boot with both drives connected, and the removable drive turned off via the drive rack power switch, the bios doesn't detect either of the drives on this cable. I'm stumped.