Install SATA drive

[PapaJack]

I just ordered an XPS 410 with Vista 32-bit and a single SATA hard drive
from Dell. I wanted two physical hard drives (not RAID) but was told that
they could not install a second drive. The lady told me I could add it
myself. (I can't believe Dell has fallen this far!).



Anyway, I ordered a Seagate SATA drive and will install it when the system
arrives. I have installed IDE drives in the past but this will be my first
experience with SATA. Is the procedure much different from IDE? Are there
any "gotchas" I should be on the lookout for?



If I decide to install Vista 64-bit later, will I need x64 drivers or will
the SATA drives be automatically recognized?



Sorry if this post sounds dumb but SATA is a new animal to me.

 

[Dustin Harper]

SATA is nearly the same. Automatically recognized in the BIOS, etc. Just a
dfferent power & interface cable. You may need SATA drivers for Windows,
though.

 

[PapaJack]

Thank you. That's what I suspected but wanted to check.

 

[Richard Urban]

The computer comes with a SATA drive already installed so the drivers will
be there when he opens the box.

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Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[=?iso-8859-1?B?RGFuaWVsIEP0dOk=?=]

Installed Seagate 300 gig 2nd SATA drive here.. Just plugged it in, and it
worked.

I reformatted it in Windows, but otherwise, it seems to be recognized. No
special drivers needed.

Dan
Sudbury

 

[Dave B.]

It's actually much easier, no more jumpers to worry about, no master slave
drives, one drive per cable, just plug in power and data and go.

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