Hard Drive Identification

[ispofdoom]

I'll keep this quick:

I have two seagate 500GB hard drives, and a 1TB hard drive installed in my comp. I need to remove the TB (which isn't the problem), and the 500GB drive that doesn't have windows installed on it.

Trouble is, once I open up my computer, I'll easily be able to recognise the TB drive. With the 500GB drives I won't know which is which... is there any way to grab a serial number, or find which HD is connected to which port?

Thanks

 

[Blain]

Check your MB manual to see find the port connector idetification.
SATA 1, SATA 2, etc...

Then simply follow the wires.

 

[ispofdoom]

so SATA1 will be the C:?

 

[jackschmittusa]

SATA1 should be the c: drive (usually). Even if it isn't, and you disconnect the wrong drive, just hook it back up and disconnect the other one.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: ispofdoom
so SATA1 will be the C:?

It all depends on how you connected the drives.
I can't see into your case from here, so you'll have to do the manual check thing.

 

[Billb2]

If you disconnect wrong drive = no boot
Reverse = Life is good.

 

[bruceb]

As stated, SATA1 should be the boot drive. You can run Belarc Advisor and it will tell you the Serial # of the drives in the computer.
Then just find that number on the drive's id label.

 

[Blain]

He could just as easily have C: drive connected to SATA 2, 3 or even 4
That's why he needs to check the manual and then wire trace.

 

[Crusty]

You can use SMART data to find out the serial number of your attached drives.

 

[corkyg]

And you can also rename the Volumes. (My COmoputer, right click on the drive and RENAME.) I have two SATA drives, both 500 GB, and they have different names I gave them. No trouble telling them apart. You can then use a magic marker on their labels.

 

[bruceb]

That is not the issue here. He is trying to physically ID which of his 2 500GB drives has the OS on it so he can Remove the other 500GB drive from his computer. That is why I and others suggested using software to get the drive Serial # .... He can then read the physical label on the drive to determine which one he wants to remove. Or just trial and error as it will only boot up with the drive with the OS on it.

 

[corkyg]

That's even easier - just label the drive! To remove it, he has to see it. Put a thin label on the side exposed to view. Sheesh! I remember mine from their position. The BIOS POST screen tells you which is the boot drive. Label each drive - very simple 1 and 2. Or Like I do - one drive is labeled "Boot" and the other "Data." Why make things so complicated?

 

[bruceb]

Yes. But right now he has 2 500GB drives in the computer and does not know which of them (physically) is the boot drive.

 

[corkyg]

BIOS should tell you that. Just go in and look at the boot order - SATA's are numbered. You can confirm by changing the boot order and getting a long non-boot delay when #2 is first in line.

Usually, by default, they are looked at in numerical order.

The case has to be opened in any case to mark or label the drives. Another quick way is to open the door, pull the power plug on the lower one, then see if it boots. That means the upper one is the boot drive. If the reverse happens, so be it. He can then label the drives 1 and 2 or boot and data, etc.

I have exactly the same config - 2 500GB drives - identical WDCs. Been there - done that.

BTW - it's easy to identify which port a SATA drive is connected to. On a card they are numbered and also on the mobo. Just check the documentation for the order.

 

[TheStu]

As others have said, pull one of the drives, reboot the computer. If it booted, good job, you pulled the right one. Now grab your silver sharpie and get labelling.

 

[Blain]

OMG, this thread has spiraled out of control.
ispofdoom, just bring your PC by my house and I'll tell you what drives you have and which SATA ports they're connected to. :laugh:

 

[n7]

LOL wow. Ahahaaa :laugh:

Here's a novel idea...

1. Open the case
2. Unplug one of the 500 GB drives
3. Does the OS boot?

Yes, then voila, you're done :Q

But what if it doesn't boot?!

Then we have...

4. Re-plugin in disconnected 500 GB.
5. Unplug the other 500 GB GB.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: n7
LOL wow. Ahahaaa :laugh:
Here's a novel idea...
1. Open the case
2. Unplug one of the 500 GB drives
3. Does the OS boot?
Yes, then voila, you're done :Q But what if it doesn't boot?!
Then we have...
4. Re-plugin in disconnected 500 GB.
5. Unplug the other 500 GB GB.

Requiescat in pace! :thumbsup: