A Noob Just Purchased a 2nd HD! Needs help!

[hAppy]

Hey guys, here I am again pleeing for assistance. :p
Alright, I have this Samsung HD that came with my computer, I have just used up 90% of the 80gb HD so I purchased a Western Digital 120gb. I have the slightest idea on how to install it.

This is my currently installed HD http://powerspec.com/systems/archives/system_components.phtml?component=797&selection=8735
And this is the HD I just bought http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144165

I have not opened the package, I want to have it confirmed that this HD is compatible with my current setup.

I also need instructions on how to install it. I do not know if I want it as Master or Slave, I don't want to make any drastic changes. On this HD, I have a folder full of movies and music. I would like to move this folder over to the new HD, and basically I will be using the new HD just for music and movies. How should I go about doing this? A how-to step-by-step link would be great if you don't feel like typing up anything. Thanks!

[Jerunk]

Connect the new harddrive as slave(appropriate jumper position) windows should automatically detect it, open 'My Computer' it will appear, and then drag and drop or copy and paste.

[Rembrandt]

Your HD cable should have 2 connectors on it. The end connector will be to your 80Gb drive and the connector that is slightly below it on the cable will be for your new drive. Have fun with your new storage.

[hAppy]

Thanks for info guys. Really appreciate it, that's what I figured I had to do. But I asked my friend he said something like he always partitions to "clean it". :confused: What's with that?

[Rembrandt]

Your friend probably did not know that you had a new HD and not a used one. In partitioning a drive you have to reformat the new partition area and by doing so it erases all the information that was on that portion of the disk. What he probably was saying is that before he reuses a HD, he reformats his HD to clear everything. This is can be especially important if someone had a virus on their drive. It does not apply to your situation.

[hAppy]

THanks, I just asked another friend a few minutes ago, he told me that I should reformat it for w/e reason. And when I install it, I go to my BIOS and set it to NTSF or something, the format for Windows XP. Is this all I need to do? Thanks!

[Jerunk]

go into bios, set first boot device as cd rom, insert windows xp cd, format NEW Harddrive(Unpartioned space) as NTFS exit windows xp setup.

Or you could easily format it under windows xp.

[hAppy]

go into bios, set first boot device as cd rom, insert windows xp cd, format NEW Harddrive(Unpartioned space) as NTFS exit windows xp setup.

Or you could easily format it under windows xp.
Hey, that's what I did. I am done and good to go. Thanks for all your help guys.

[hAppy]

Help! I just installed the new HD, well after a few hours I noticed my PSU was blowing hotter air then usual. SO i turned it off and checked out the inside of my comp, my 2 HD feel pretty hot. Is something wrong?!

When I installed the HD I did set the second hd to slave, but just a moment ago I realized I didn't fiddle with the first HD such as setting it to master or something. But I didn't bother to mess around cus it seems to be "working". Could this be a problem?

My PSU is alot warmer then usual as well. My harddrives are sandwhiching a A drive between them, could this be a problem as well? I am pretty sure my comp was never this warm before.

My PSU and HDs aren't hot hot, they're like warm like car in the sun hot. Hope I can get an answer soon. I'm scared to leave my comp on :(

[hAppy]

My friend just told me to DL this Harddrive thermometer. Right now my 120gb is at 39 and the 80 is at 33. Can I trust this thermometer?

The thing that got me all freaked out is I noticed my leg got alot warmer....

[Tiny]

Your PSU is warmer cause it is having to supply more power than it was before.

It is better to have your HDDs not bunched up, it is better to have some air moving around them. I cut the hdd cage out of my case and mounted them in front of my front intake fan.

[uzor]

Well, hard drives generate heat, so adding another drive to your computer will make things hotter in there. If both drives show up in windows and seem to be working properly, you probably have it hooked up properly.

If you're worried about it, there are a few things you can do to cool the drives down. Here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=Go&DEPA=0&type=&description=hdd+cooler&Category=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0) are some HDD coolers you can look into getting. Also, depending on what kind of case you have, you might just be able to add a fan or two in there to blow over the drives. In general (if you don't get some type of HDD cooler) the more open air space you have around the drive, the better it will stay cool. Maybe you can move them farther apart.

What kind of power supply do you have in there? There is also a possibility that the new PS isn't quite up to the task of supplying the additional power. Good Luck.

http://www.mentallyretired.com/h3/index.cfm/u_125984 (http://folding.extremeoverclocking.com/user_summary.php?u=125984)

[hAppy]

Thanks for the info guys, I am very relieved now. I will just remove the A drive until I pick out a new case. I am using a stock case and it's very restricting. I can't get a fan to blow over the harddrives or anything. Thanks!

[hAppy]

Alright I just removed the A drive, now the 120gb is at 37 and the 80gb is at 30. They seem to be trading heat or something :confused: . Cus earlier the 120 was at 35 and the 80 was at 34. W/e as long as my computer doesn't die. I did add a new HD for the better. Thanks for your help guys.