i have a converter for a regualar hdd and im wondering if i can hook up another hdd using the normal ribbon cable but using it as a secondary hdd can i do this
cuz my computer stops responding wen i do

What the hell did you just say - slow down, use complete sentances and try that again.

Quote: Originally Posted by lpapirny i have a converter for a regualar hdd and im wondering if i can hook up another hdd using the normal ribbon cable but using it as a secondary hdd can i do this cuz my computer stops responding wen i do

And I think you just answered your own question too.

I think I understand what you mean, and the answer would be yes. That is, if you are looking to install a second hard drive onto the same IDe Ribbon cable as the hard drive you already have on your computer. There are two things you need to do, first is to set the jumper on the first hard drive as a Master, and on the second hard drive as a Slave. And then you hook the master hard drive to the very end of the ribbon cable, and the slave to the middle part. Then you auto detect the Hard Drives in your BIOS. No biggie (if you know a little 'bout what you're doing). If not, PM me, I could lend you a hand.

Quote: Originally Posted by microsoftman I think I understand what you mean, and the answer would be yes. That is, if you are looking to install a second hard drive onto the same IDe Ribbon cable as the hard drive you already have on your computer. There are two things you need to do, first is to set the jumper on the first hard drive as a Master, and on the second hard drive as a Slave. And then you hook the master hard drive to the very end of the ribbon cable, and the slave to the middle part. Then you auto detect the Hard Drives in your BIOS. No biggie (if you know a little 'bout what you're doing). If not, PM me, I could lend you a hand.

alrighty well ur right i sorta did right that horribly wut i meant to say was

i jsut bought a ABIT nf7-s board and it came with a SATA converter like from the ribbon style hdd to sata with a little converter thingy and im wondering if i have the the master hdd hooked up through SATA could i hook the other up through the ribon cable as a slave (i thnk thas better put then my old explanation it was horrible srry guys)LOL

DO you mean you want to have a master HDD, AND a slave HDD on one Sata channel using an IDE to Sata converter?

Quote: Originally Posted by Cheshiredemon DO you mean you want to have a master HDD, AND a slave HDD on one Sata channel using an IDE to Sata converter?

well i have a master on the SATA and i wanna hook up a secondary hdd on to the orriginal ribbon cable can i do this because ive tried it before and it stops responding on the boot screen into win Xp

chances are, you just answered your own question... BUT, someone with more know knowledge about SATA than I might know other wise.

Quote: Originally Posted by lpapirny well i have a master on the SATA and i wanna hook up a secondary hdd on to the orriginal ribbon cable can i do this because ive tried it before and it stops responding on the boot screen into win Xp

Look in the NF7-s manual, it will explain the options available...chapter 4

OK - not sure if Im following this but I will give it a shot - this is my scenerio with my ABIT IS7-E.

I have a SATA Raptor as my boot drive - followed by a 160 GB WD SE connected via IDE along with my optical drives. Install XP went smooth but on the first boot into the OS it hung - black screen no message or anything. Checked website and downloaded newest BIOS update, same thing. Fiddling with the BIOS I see an option for IDE bus mastering - its off - I turn it on. Now I get the standard fare Windows XP has failed to start correctly screen. Figuring I changed an option that required a driver to be installed I started all over and reinstalled - worked fine.

You and I both have an ABIT board so why dont you check your IDE Bus Mastering option in your BIOS and see if changing it will get you the same result mine did. If its gets you to the Windows XP has failed to start screen then a simple reinstall will get you back on track.

ahh i see what your trying to do in a different light - you have a SATA convertor. You have on one hard drive, and what you intend to do is link up another hard drive via an IDE cable (of sorts). BUT you want BOTH of them on the same SATA port, one running in sata, one in ide.

Errr i hate to break this t you but it aint gonna work. SATA works like usb, reducing the data cables down to a minimum, using a serial kind of connection (USB for example).
The edge that IDE and IDE RAID has over SATA is that you can link 2 drives to one prot ~(master and slave). This CANNOT be done with SATA. You can only link one drive to one connection. Thats why they give you 2 sata ports...or 4 which ever board you have.