Adding a 2nd Internal Hard Drive

**Acy** · 10-01-2002, 01:22 AM

Hey guys, I was wondering if you could help me out.

I want to add a second hard drive (my current one is full) on my Dell Desktop.

How do I tell if I have enough space and cables in the case to fit the extra drive? There doesn't seem to be something to hold a 2nd drive in place. Is it still possible add the 2nd drive?

Any help is apprecitated!

**Ladogaboy** · 10-01-2002, 02:03 AM

Well, it really depends on your model and case. I'm not very well versed with Dell cases--other members on this site could probably help you out more in that sense, but remember not to rule out using a 5.25" bay to house a hard drive. The mounting brackets to convert a 3.5" to 5.25" are relatively cheap.

Of course, in the extreme case that your computer can't actually house an additional drive, you might want to think about going external.

But generally, as long as you have two IDE ports on your motherboard, your system can support up to 4 drives. You might have to replace the cables, or shift things around, but you should be able to do that fairly easily.

**caribiner23** · 10-01-2002, 05:54 AM

Which model Dell do you have?

**bachviet** · 10-01-2002, 10:11 AM

If you have Dell 4500 or 8200 series, you could add an internal HD with no problem. If you have the 4500S or 2300, think about goin' external (IDE HD + external enclosure).

**Maarchk** · 10-01-2002, 10:34 AM

you should be able to do it.. there may not be an enclosure to put it in, but as long as there is space and wires.. hehe.. my harddrives just kinda hang out in my computer, not fastened.. but then again, i am not throwing my computer around for kicks, so to me its not a big concern.... just make sure you have one of those power cables...(dell usually caps them) just pull the cap off... and the ide cable has a slot... oh and make sure that you set your new harddrive to slave so it does not conflict with your main harddrive or cd rom.

Maarchk

**Nija** · 10-01-2002, 01:15 PM

I had a cd-rw drive that I replace with a second HD. I just took out the writer, and put the drive there. It's sitting on top of the floppy drive

**Acy** · 10-01-2002, 01:54 PM

I have a Dell XPS B866.

It has a CD-Burner, DVD drive, Zip drive, and a floppy drive, so I'm guessing I'm out of luck on putting another hard drive in there.

There is an open 3.5" drive bay and I could take out the Zip drive since I don't use it.

So if I take out the Zip drive and put in some mounting brackets to convert from 3.5" to 5.25", it would work?

I would burn all my files onto CDs, but that would be a major pain...too much time.
I might consider getting an external drive, but aren't those really slow and expensive?

You guys are the best!

**bachviet** · 10-01-2002, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by Acy
I have a Dell XPS B866.

It has a CD-Burner, DVD drive, Zip drive, and a floppy drive, so I'm guessing I'm out of luck on putting another hard drive in there.

There is an open 3.5" drive bay and I could take out the Zip drive since I don't use it.

So if I take out the Zip drive and put in some mounting brackets to convert from 3.5" to 5.25", it would work?

I would burn all my files onto CDs, but that would be a major pain...too much time.
I might consider getting an external drive, but aren't those really slow and expensive?

You guys are the best!

The hard drive is 3.5" so just take out the Zip drive and replace it with the HD. You only need the mounting kit if you want to mount the HD into a 5.25" bay.

**GilbertsGrape** · 10-01-2002, 02:08 PM

If space is available I would just visit my local hardware store and look at their brackets like the ones used in furniture making usually just a piece of metal about 2 inches long with holes in it. Then drill a hole in your case to bolt the bracket to and then mount the drive to the bracket may be sort of ghetto but it will get the job done. If there are not enough spaces available on your IDE cable just get one with more plugs on it, and if you need more power get an adapter to split one of the power plugs.

On one of the boxes I use to have I mounted my extension brackets to the bottom of the last drive bay bracket.

**Nija** · 10-01-2002, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by DarkFury

only thing is... he probably doesn't have a 3 1/2 faceplate cover since the zip drive has an external door.

Oh well... "Duct tape" is a wonderful thing.

bah leave it open, so you can always look at your baby

that's how i like it

**Acy** · 10-01-2002, 02:21 PM

Awesome! Thanks guys...

I thought I was going to have to duct tape the drive to the side of my case

**Nija** · 10-01-2002, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by DarkFury

Just cause you leave the "barn door open" don't mean that everyone else should.
I'd still try to get a faceplate cover on it...

you mean everyone doesn't want to be like me?

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