Putting old IDE harddrive on new motherboard?

sushijerk · #1 02-20-2007, 09:11 PM

I'm buying a new computer but want still want to use one of my old storage drives. From what I understand all HDs are now Sata II and newer motherboards will only have one IDE connection for the optical drive.

Does this mean I will not be able to put my old IDE drive in my new PC and have a dvd-r at the same time?

C McGuinness · #2 02-21-2007, 12:38 AM

IDE cables can handle two drives on a single cable. You should see two connectors on cable. If so, plug one into each. You have to jumper the drives to indicate which is primary and which is secondary, but that's not too hard and usually marked on the drive (if you have good vision ;-) )

pa3lsvt · #3 02-22-2007, 08:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
From what I understand all HDs are now Sata II and newer motherboards will only have one IDE connection for the optical drive.

[/ QUOTE ]

Um no.

I just took this old drive that I've had for 3 years (you can buy it today) and put it on this motherboard (note two IDE channels good for up to four IDE devices, as described above) with an Athlon X2 CPU.

Modern and backwards compatible!

EDIT: Cable Select FTW.