Need help with Hard drive

J

JesterOfSorts

New Member
Ok so I got the parts to build my computer (first build). Things were a bit overwhelming at first, but I took my time and got things done 1 at a time.

I was almost finished then I ran into a problem with the Hard-drive. My Mobo is the
Asus P5N-D
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicati...s.asp?EdpNo=3573170&sku=A455-2808&srkey=p5n-d
and the Hard Drive is
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3167558&Sku=THD-500M3

Now it seems I made the mistake of getting OEM, which leaves me without the cable I need to connect it (if I'm not mistaken). However I do not know what kind of cable I will need in order to connect it. So just asking for what it is, and where could I get it? Could I just get it at a futureshop or bestbuy or something? Also where in the mobo would it plug into?

Thanks.

Also though, while I'm posting here, another thing. I attached my brother's old comp's hard drive to my comp just to see if everything worked, which it looks like it's going pretty good except 1 thing. It brings me to the screen "Windows couldn't start up last time you tried" or w/e it says, and asks to start up normally, in safe mode, etc. When I click any option the screen goes black for a second then restarts my computer. I don't think it actually 'restarts' it, the fans don't stop for a second or anything, but it returns to the P5N-D screen, then re-loads the "windows could not start last time" screen.

Hopefully it's just something to do with the hard drive and once I get the new one working it'll be fine, or it's something I did wrong, that can easily be fixed.

Last thing. my bro's old hard-drive that I put in is under slave, how would I change it to master?

Thanks for the help, building the comp was fun...but frusturating with some of the little problems (not being able to connect hard-drive =( )
 
Looked around, and I assume I just need an IDE Cable? What should I look for to make sure I get the right one.

Also it has the 20 pins or w/e... Isn't there only 1 place to put that on the mobo, which the CD/DVD drive is already using?
 
For one the board should have an ide cable in a plastic bag along with it. That would be a flat grey colored ribbon type cable seeing 3 connectors on it. One end plugs into the ide socket referred to as the ide header in the photo on the link there. The end connector is for master while the center is the slave position. Here I use Antec round cables that see a higher cost for shipping then the cable itself costs! But they are far more durable.

When you plugged in the other drive with Windows installed on it for another system the expected errors were seen. The current copy of Windows on it won't work for the new build so leave that out. For a new build you need to see Windows installed fresh on the Maxtor 500gb if you are not planning to use the other drive for the OS. That would have to be cleaned off first to see a clean install of Windows on that.

With the two drives there you will have to decide which one will see a fresh install of Windows go on. With only one ide channel and an optical drive unless sata you can only run one of them.
 
ide_133_cable.jpg

This is the regular IDE cable.

rounded_IDE_black_24.jpg


This is the rounded type, it is the same thing, except it is used for better airflow, and a neater looking case.
 
From my understanding both my Hard Drive, and my CD-Dvd drive will need IDE cables. Which is fine, except that there is only 1 slot on the Mobo for it to be plugged into... What's the solution?

P.S. good to hear the window's problems is expected. I didn't mention that I used bro's because it didn't use IDE cable, it used the "L" shaped end's that go into the SATA slots.
 
A far better round cable is reviewed at http://www.dvhardware.net/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=31

Your best option there for using the old case's ide drive and the optical would be to exchange the 500gb ide drive you just ordered for a sata model. That would allow you to run the drive from the old system along with the optical on the one ide channel. Sata drives plug into a separate port for each drive installed. You'll likely see the thinner red sata data cables also included with the board.



Well since the old drive is actually a sata model the 500gb Maxtor would simply be set as master on the one ide cable. That will still leave you with the choice of whcih drive will see a clean install of Windows go on however. If you decide to use the sata drive for Windows first unplug the Maxtor since the Windows installer will always look for an ide drive over sata to place boot files there.
 
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on the pix i'v posted, there are 3 connectors.

1 for the cd drive
1 for the hard drive
1 that plugs into the motherboard.
 
Vizy, oh I see, thanks a ton, that would be great :). Is the distance from the cd and hard drive able to be altered? cause from the picture it looks like they would be too close for my comp. None the less I'll have to head down to futureshop or something and get 1 tomorrow that works for my comp.

Thanks for the help, sort of had a bit panic attack there :).
 
I didn't have time time to read all them posts.

are u implying that BOTh the Cd drive and Hd are IDE? then u can use the IDE cable. That's what iam doing right now.
 
JesterOfSorts said:
Vizy, oh I see, thanks a ton, that would be great :). Is the distance from the cd and hard drive able to be altered? cause from the picture it looks like they would be too close for my comp. None the less I'll have to head down to futureshop or something and get 1 tomorrow that works for my comp.

Thanks for the help, sort of had a bit panic attack there :).
Click to expand...

Vizy93 said:
I didn't have time time to read all them posts.

are u implying that BOTh the Cd drive and Hd are IDE? then u can use the IDE cable. That's what iam doing right now.
Click to expand...

lol, u typed up ur post while i was typing mine.


The IDE cable's come in many different lengths, i have a 36 inch in my comp.

The pic i posted, the cable is folded so...
 
Ah ok, thanks a lot. very much relieved. Anyways now I can go to bed happy (had a very busy day, and I am exausted). Thanks again for everyone's help, these forums are so helpful and quick :).
 
JesterOfSorts said:
Ah ok, thanks a lot. very much relieved. Anyways now I can go to bed happy (had a very busy day, and I am exausted). Thanks again for everyone's help, these forums are so helpful and quick :).
Click to expand...

lol, yea man goodnight.

I'm always happy to help people, u knw, good Karma and stuff (i'm half hindu).

Thnx for the comment on the forums. You basically did it right you know.
Usually i respond to a post, and if i go backa nd the original poster didnt respond, i'm gone for the rest of the time.

Computerforum is the Sheeznit. tell your friends lol.


R u going to stick around?
 
Well once you decide if you are keeping the sata in along with the 500gb ide model your next step will be to decide which one will see a fresh copy of Windows. If you decide to see the hard drive plugged in at the end of the cable the jumper seen at the rear of the drive will have to be set as master there with the optical being set as slave on the center connector.

With the sata drives the port selected on the board is what determines if it will primary master or slave. For each pair of ports that follow secondary master or slave on those.
 
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