How can I set up 3 bootable EIDE HD's in a single PC?

[Ken90630]

Hey, All,

I want to put together an extra build using my old-but-great Asus A7N8X mobo. I'd like to install 3 EIDE HDs, each with its own O.S. (XP Pro) and each bootable. (No native SATA on this board because of the plain nForce 2 chipset -- the board's 2 SATA connectors ride on the PCI bus and I don't wanna go that route.)

Obviously, I'll set Drive 1 (as we'll call it) as the master and Drive 2 as a slave via jumpers. In order to set up Drive 3, however, I'll obviously need a 3-device EIDE (PATA) ribbon cable. I can't seem to find one. There are plenty of 2-device cables, but I can't find one for 3 devices. Anyone know where I can get one? I already checked Newegg -- no dice.

Also, what config do I use on Drive 3 -- Cable Select? Or can I jumper it as a slave also (like Drive 2)? And do I need to set something in the BIOS to make each drive bootable?

 

[sonoma1993]

far as i know of, there are no PATA cables that support 3 hard drives. you will have to setup the 3rd hard drive on the secondary PATA connector and set it to be master or slave drive if you have PATA cd/dvd rom connected as well. Or buy a PCI PATA controller card to use for the 3rd drive

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah, PATA channels only support two drives, a Master and a Slave. No 3-way action.

Have to just cable up the third drive as a secondary master, and select which one to boot off of in the BIOS.

 

[Ken90630]

OK. Can I set up, in the BIOS, the ability to boot off the slaved HD when I want to? (That would be Drive 2, which will be slaved to Drive 1.) I've never tried to boot from a slaved HD before.

As for the Drive 3 config, I seem to have it in the back of mind that slaving an optical drive on the same EIDE cable as a HD could be problematic for one or the other. Is that so, or am I thinking of something else? It's been awhile since I had to think about this EIDE/PATA stuff.

 

[VirtualLarry]

OK. Can I set up, in the BIOS, the ability to boot off the slaved HD when I want to? (That would be Drive 2, which will be slaved to Drive 1.) I've never tried to boot from a slaved HD before.

As for the Drive 3 config, I seem to have it in the back of mind that slaving an optical drive on the same EIDE cable as a HD could be problematic for one or the other. Is that so, or am I thinking of something else? It's been awhile since I had to think about this EIDE/PATA stuff.

Nah, you shouldn't have any problems slaving a CD-ROM to a HD. That's how it's done.

 

[Ken90630]

Nah, you shouldn't have any problems slaving a CD-ROM to a HD. That's how it's done.

OK. Thanks.

 

[Auric]

Removable trays would make it easy.

 

[Ken90630]

Removable trays would make it easy.

Can you explain? (Sorry for my ignorance on this. )

 

[Auric]

Like this:
http://kingwin.com/products/cate/mobile/racks/kf_21_ipf_b.asp

One tray for each drive and as many frames as drives to be run concurrently.

 

[Ken90630]

Like this:
http://kingwin.com/products/cate/mobile/racks/kf_21_ipf_b.asp

One tray for each drive and as many frames as drives to be run concurrently.

Interesting. I didn't know such a thing existed. I might just try that. Thanks. :thumbsup:

 

[corkyg]

Like this:
http://kingwin.com/products/cate/mobile/racks/kf_21_ipf_b.asp One tray for each drive and as many frames as drives to be run concurrently.

Exactly! Have a tray for each drive - insert the one you want - turn the key and go. They will all be #1 Master. Been doing that for over 12 years.

 

[Ken90630]

Exactly! Have a tray for each drive - insert the one you want - turn the key and go. They will all be #1 Master. Been doing that for over 12 years.

Right on. Sounds like a plan. Thanks.