Computer Woes, Part II

[jenepherre]

Posting from Mom's computer tonight.

It is truly sad when I know more than Dell tech support. I shouldn't be surprised - it's happened before. But what good are they if I've already tried every idea they have?

Got a new Western Digital HD to install. They come with some fucked up connector they call "Secure Connect" which blocks the serial ATA power connection, but does not supply power to the HD. So you're supposed to use the old type of legacy power connector. But whoever built the Dell Dimension 8400 provided only serial ATA power connections for use with hard drives. I think I can use the power connector that was intended for the optional zip drive, but still... WTF?

So I'm done for tonight. Hopefully ::fingers crossed:: I'll maybe at least have Windows installed on the new hard drive by tomorrow night. ::sigh::

Thanks to everyone who commented on yesterday's post. And earlier posts. Quick shout-outs:
amelialourdes - now that the show is over, I find someone who lives near me... isn't that always the way... we'll have to talk more when I'm back on my own computer.
darksylvia - you're a lifesaver!! The pineapple kind, cause that's my favorite. ;-)
larissa_j - you're getting all my tech questions from now on... any idea what I need to do to make sure the computer sees the new HD as the one to boot from and the old HD as the secondary? Apparently SATA drives don't use those master/slave jumper thingies.
viola69 = marry me! Um, as long as you're willing to continue providing those things you provide so well. ;-D
And to drkcherry, who is always there for me.
Hugs to many many others too. I am severely internet addicted, and the withdrawals are BAD... very very BAD.

G'nite all.

Comments

[larissa-j.livejournal.com]

For the third time (OY don't ask me what I was doing this morning) How'd I comment on the wrong post? Caffeine plz.

I can't remember if the Dell 8400 has an intel or nvidia SATA controller (or both). You should probably download the drivers from Dell and copy them to a floppy as XP doesn't support loading drivers from a USB key yet, Vista will. XP doesn't have inbox drivers for SATA SATA/RAID controllers. Make sure the SATA controller is enabled in the BIOS. The OEM probably already set this or told you how to do this. Most OEM's preinstall OS's so the average user doesn't have to do these steps.

In addition. Set the SATA drive as the Primary boot HDD in the BIOS. It would probably be best to just unplug the IDE drive while installing Windows, otherwise, Windows is going to bypass the option to load the drivers for the SATA drive and simply default to the IDE drive for install. You might still get the STOP 7B error during the install. Try restarting and hitting F6 during install. Setup should prompt for storage drivers when it doesn't find them but not always.

Later, after plugging in the IDE drive - verify that the WD drive is still the Primary boot device under HDD in the boot device settings.

If you have an existing windows installation on the IDE drive, it won't be a problem, you can just rename the %windir% on your folder on your IDE drive to windows.old or something and migrate any needed data to your new installation. Providing you don't plan on using the older installation again.

[jenepherre.livejournal.com]

Not to throw a wrench into all your wonderful help and instructions... but the old drive is SATA also. I have taken it out completely for now - was going to leave it out until after WinXP is successfully installed on the new HD. After that, I'd like to be able to put it back in as a secondary HD, migrate files, and then reformat it to be a backup drive. It's because both drives are SATA that I was confused about the master/slave thing... any advice on that?? BTW, I think I owe you chocolate or something by now...

[larissa-j.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry... I just assumed we were talking IDE what with the Master/Slave thing (I always get a kinky thrill with that )

It's never a good idea to have two SATA drives plugged in while doing an install. IDE you're fine - SATA not so good.

Just go ahead an plug the SATA drive back in after the install - verify the boot order in the BIOS and migrate the files. If your system doesn't boot for some reason - unplug the drive and verify that the partition the OS is installed to is active. (reorder the boot order for the HDDs and reboot) If it isn't, you'll have to use the OLD drive to set the new drive to active and reinstall. I doubt this will happen. I've only ever seen it once and it was when I left all three SATA drives in while installing MCE.

[jenepherre.livejournal.com]

(I always get a kinky thrill with that)

Me too. hehehe

It's just that I'm more familiar with IDE and have had 2 IDE hard drives in my (old) computer at the same time. Not as familiar - obviously - with SATA.

So basically, when I plug the old SATA drive back in after I'm done with the install on the new drive, both of them should show up in the boot order list - I just need to make sure they're in the right order. Yes? 'Cause that I can do.

You must do this for a living, right? You speak the language too well for it just to be a hobby. In any case, you're good and I owe you. Thank you muchly. :-)

[larissa-j.livejournal.com]

So basically, when I plug the old SATA drive back in after I'm done with the install on the new drive, both of them should show up in the boot order list - I just need to make sure they're in the right order. Yes? 'Cause that I can do.

Yes. Sometimes depending on which SATA header you plug the cable into, the primary boot device will be reset. It sucks. You'll need to watch this. I only mention it because I didn't want you to be surprised if you wound up in your old XP install. If you go into your BIOS first and verify your boot order, you'll be fine. Once you set it with both drives, it'll stick.

You must do this for a living, right? You speak the language too well for it just to be a hobby. In any case, you're good and I owe you. Thank you muchly. :-)

Oh, maybe *blushes with compliment*

And it's no bother to help out - although hardware/drivers are generally my area, venture too far out from there and it starts to get scary.