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

[jenepherre.livejournal.com]

If Dell really wants to improve customer experiences, they'll move the rest of the tech support department back to the US. Even when those guys speak fairly decent English, they're too hard to understand and they have a hard time understanding us. The guy did what he could, and he did eventually offer to transfer me to L2 support, but by then I just felt like the whole thing had been a waste of time. I knew how I wanted to handle the problem and I just wanted to get on with it myself. But honestly, that's what happens every time I call Dell tech support. Maybe I should just ask for L2 support right off the bat, because everything the L1 guys suggest is always stuff I've already done or tried. And I will have already searched the Dell knowledge base, etc.

Anyway, I don't intend to call back. Just not worth my time at this point.

What exactly do you mean by "you should get a drive with the correct power connector?" I have a new drive. It's exactly like the one that's currently in my 8400, except that when Western Digital sells them to retail outlets, they include this funky-ass "Secure Connect" cable instead of a standard serial ATA cable. That's not a Dell issue, it's a WD issue.

Here's a question for you though... can you confirm that the P6 power connector - intended for the optional zip drive - is the same as the P3 and P5 power connectors used for the CD-Rom drives? They appear to be the same. If they are, I can just use that power connector. Although I think I'll still just go out and buy a standard serial ATA data connector that doesn't block the serial ATA power connection. ::sigh::

Eek. Didn't mean to go off on you about this or anything. It's nothing personal. :-/

[larissa-j.livejournal.com]

Here's a question for you though... can you confirm that the P6 power connector - intended for the optional zip drive - is the same as the P3 and P5 power connectors used for the CD-Rom drives? They appear to be the same. If they are, I can just use that power connector. Although I think I'll still just go out and buy a standard serial ATA data connector that doesn't block the serial ATA power connection. ::sigh::

I think you have the right connector it's just got funny colored wiring and their specs are weird. OEMs don't like customers dinking in their boxes. Wait, that came out wrong.

If you check the voltage, they are the same. The power connectors are setup so that you can't plug these into the wrong drives. If you were to buy a new power supply, you would not see a difference in the plugs. They would all look the same. No specs at all - just SATA, standard and floppy power, in addition to your MOBO plug and all surrounded by insulation. Oooh pretty! (Sorry, got all starry eyed for a sec)

I've connected a PCIe video card and other devices to random p connectors in Dell boxes (Precision 370) and been fine. However, if you want to be safe - buy the splitter and go off the DVD R/W or other HDD power.

JMHO

[larissa-j.livejournal.com]

not the splitter, I meant the cable. Oops :)