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sata doom ...
Aug. 11th, 2009 02:28 amAs I mentioned earlier, I intended to get a second hdd. Instead of ordering online and waiting several days for it to arrive, I just called on of the local shops and reserved one I liked. I picked it up before going to work today.
And after work I tried installing it. This turned out to be more difficult than expected, mostly because I actually can't get the current hdd out anymore. I've got an hdd cooler fan below the hdd, which takes up space required for the second hdd. So I tried removing the hdd, intending to get rid of the fan, and then install both hdds. But I can't. The hdd, including fan, is stuck in its place and doesn't move. So, no luck there.
Of course, I managed to cut my finger while trying to pull it out. I don't even know where I cut it, but it was bleeding profusely. I later noticed that I actually smeared some of it below the hdd area of the case, so I guess I can honestly say I gave my PC an actual DNA fingerprint.
Anyway, I remembered that when I got the case, there was an additional hdd cage included. I'd removed it to install an extra fan, and since I hadn't had any need for it, never put it back. So I searched for it, finally found it and put it back in, adding the new hdd to it.
Hooked everything back up, turned on the PC, and ... Right, new hdd doesn't show up.
Turns out that the SATA port I hooked it up to is inactive in my configuration. Says so in the manual. Now the problem here is this: SATA1 and -2 are eSATA ports (the e standing for external), SATA3 and -4 are inaccessible since they're blocked by the graphics card, -5 and -6 are used for hdd1 and dvd drive, and -7 is inactive. Soooo it seems I can't actually have another drive there.
That's quite unfortunate.
Anyway, I browsed through the mainboard manual and saw a picture of stuff included in its packaging. There's a SATA cable, with one connector at a 90° angle. Now that's what I could use! I should be able to get that below the graphics card. Unfortunately, it wasn't actually included with the motherboard, just a regular one. So I guess I'll have to visit the computer store again tomorrow to get one of those angled cables. Actually, I might just get two while I'm at it, I'll need another of those anyway if I ever buy another drive. And I did consider getting one of those SSDs eventually ...
And after work I tried installing it. This turned out to be more difficult than expected, mostly because I actually can't get the current hdd out anymore. I've got an hdd cooler fan below the hdd, which takes up space required for the second hdd. So I tried removing the hdd, intending to get rid of the fan, and then install both hdds. But I can't. The hdd, including fan, is stuck in its place and doesn't move. So, no luck there.
Of course, I managed to cut my finger while trying to pull it out. I don't even know where I cut it, but it was bleeding profusely. I later noticed that I actually smeared some of it below the hdd area of the case, so I guess I can honestly say I gave my PC an actual DNA fingerprint.
Anyway, I remembered that when I got the case, there was an additional hdd cage included. I'd removed it to install an extra fan, and since I hadn't had any need for it, never put it back. So I searched for it, finally found it and put it back in, adding the new hdd to it.
Hooked everything back up, turned on the PC, and ... Right, new hdd doesn't show up.
Turns out that the SATA port I hooked it up to is inactive in my configuration. Says so in the manual. Now the problem here is this: SATA1 and -2 are eSATA ports (the e standing for external), SATA3 and -4 are inaccessible since they're blocked by the graphics card, -5 and -6 are used for hdd1 and dvd drive, and -7 is inactive. Soooo it seems I can't actually have another drive there.
That's quite unfortunate.
Anyway, I browsed through the mainboard manual and saw a picture of stuff included in its packaging. There's a SATA cable, with one connector at a 90° angle. Now that's what I could use! I should be able to get that below the graphics card. Unfortunately, it wasn't actually included with the motherboard, just a regular one. So I guess I'll have to visit the computer store again tomorrow to get one of those angled cables. Actually, I might just get two while I'm at it, I'll need another of those anyway if I ever buy another drive. And I did consider getting one of those SSDs eventually ...
