Hi, is it possible to connect 3 hard drives? I have 2 DVD drives so all the connections are taken.
Thanks

Get yourself a PCI IDE or SATA or IDE/SATA drive controller card that, which up to 2 or 4 IDE or SATA drives can be connected to, or get a USB 2.0 or Firewire connected external hard drive enclosure, with or without the hard drive already installed in it. The first option is much cheaper (as little $30 or less, usually comes with 1 data cable for up to 2 drives), if you have the space to install the drive inside the case and a spare PCI slot.

If you decide toget a PCI controller, make sure it's 48 bit LBA capable. That way you can use drives over 137gb.

Do yourself a favor BACKUP!

Tubesandwires' response is on the money.

But, do you know if your mobo already has SATA connectors? Do you already have the hard drives and are they PATA or are you planning to purchase another drive(s)?

If you are planning to get another drive and your mobo already supports SATA, you could just get a SATA drive. Or if you already have PATA drives and you do have SATA support on your mobo, you can get a SATA to PATA converter. But, unless it is a lot cheaper to do that I would go with the PCI IDE controller card because of the additional flexibility it provides.

One thing to note. When using a PCI controller card you will experience longer boots. I've used about three different PCI controller cards in different systems and I'd say the boots too anywhere from 45 - 60 seconds longer. But, that could just be my experience.

Michael J

Do you really NEED two DVD drives??? Take one out & connect the 3rd HDD.

I concur - two DVD drives are unnecessary.

Once you've removed the one you do not need, the remaining four devices can be connected via the master and slave IDE channel on the motherboard.

The Secret Letter From Iraq

"Do you really NEED two DVD drives??? Take one out & connect the 3rd HDD."

It depends on how he uses his computer. I have 2 DVD drives as well. Makes the process of creating 1 to 1 copies of discs very easy. I backup all of the DVDs I buy for my kids and the process can take a while. Much easier to put in the original and a blank and set up the process and not have to switch disks when the re-encoding process is complete which can be anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.

Michael J

Burning "on the fly" is quicker but it generally produces more coasters.

Hi, Quick response and really good info, thanks alot. 2 DVD drives like Michael J said makes it easier to copy disks. I was given a 3rd hd and just thought it would be easy to install, after all the computer cases come with loads of free bays.Anyway thanks again for your help and I will be looking for a 48 bit LBA capable PCI controller.

'Burning "on the fly" is quicker but it generally produces more coasters.'

Using 2 DVD drives to back up DVDs does not burn on-the-fly. The files have to first be ripped to the hard-drive, then possibly reencoded, before it is burned to the blank disc. But since it can take quite some time, it is easier just to set it up with the original and blank in separate drives, set up the process and walk away.

Michael J

I guess for some people it's too inconvenient to pop out the original, then pop in the blank.

"The files have to first be ripped to the hard-drive, then possibly reencoded, before it is burned to the blank disc."

The above totally makes mincemeat, the logic behind getting two drives to begin with.......................LOL

I wonder what happens when you have two or more DVD's to replicate - telekinesis........................hmmmmmmm

The Secret Letter From Iraq

Do you have USB 2.0?

You can get an enclosure that will house an IDE HDD or a DVD drive and you can make either an external USB 2.0 device.

"I guess for some people it's too inconvenient to pop out the original, then pop in the blank."

"The above totally makes mincemeat, the logic behind getting two drives to begin with.......................LOL"

It's all about each person using their computer how they want to use their computer.

As I stated, when I start a rip it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. The encoding process is quite demanding so I don't usually use my computer during that time and I don't want to just stand around for a couple of hours waiting to put the blank in. It's much easier to set it up and start the process when I go to bed.

Michael J

The point is, two DVD drives aren't absolutely necessary & the easiest/cheapest way to add a 3rd HDD would be to eliminate one of the optical drives.

Adding a PCI controller card is another option, as is using an external IDE HDD case.

A lot of things aren't absolutely necessary. But we all get to decide for ourselves what is necessary for our own needs. Otherwise we could all just be using $300 Dells.

Michael J