Installing HD as slave off DVD Burner

This whole thread is confusing. I find it hard to believe that there aren't two IDE headers in that machine. For $1000 or so, I'd think thats the least they could do. Has anybody confirmed that there is only one IDE header? If yes, OK but if no, then a $1 cable would have made everything posted here a moot point. (or is it pointless?)

As to the device vs device driver, I think we need to keep one thing in mind. The device is the drive (isn't it?) Yes, the primary and (maybe) secondary IDE controllers are also devices but ........ herein lies the confusion. Controllers are capable of handling drives in PIO or DMA modes but its the drive or drives that actually run in one or the other (who said both? OK, now I understand?) hmmmmm ....

Naturally, Dell doesn't say on their website whether this puppy has a pair or is close to being a eunuch.

 

I can confirm there is only 1 IDE slot, I thought there were two, but I learned its for a floppy drive.

 

Rockster, along with jasondragon, I can confirm it only has 1 IDE connector. I looked at the User Guide...sorry, I should have confirmed that in my post (it was my first thought as well). It's UNIQUE .

mmmm...those details seem to have been accidentally left out of the specifications .

Matt

 

I uninstalled it from properties. Not by right clicking in device manager. I physically went in to the information of the driver.

 

jasondragon, yes, can you give us any extra information on what you have tried?

Have you tried Pete's suggestion of running the HD as master on it's own?

Christer's suggestions should "reset" Windows.

I wonder if there may be updated IDE controller drivers (doubt it). I will check tomorrow.

Matt

 

jasondragon, there are some downloads at Dell, specifically, one referring to "installing the Intel chipset software" (under Chipset), whatever that means (?), I doubt it is updated drivers. Also, there are "diagnostics ", which may tell you something (although you should find them on your Dell CD).

I also thought that running the HDD's diagnostics utilities could well tell you something. I have just been wrestling with some drives and the Maxtor diagnostics did a check on the installation of the HDD. You can get the diagnostics at the manufacturer's website.

Matt