Want to add 3rd SATA (non-RAID) HDD

[XPSFun]

OK, I've got the dual Wildcat RAID-0 thing going in my Gen 3, but I'd like to add a third, SATA, non-RAID drive in the available third 5 1/4 drive bay. I'm think about a WD2500JD (250 GB). A few questions:

1) I've got two spare SATA on-board controller ports available -- can I use one of those, or do I need to buy a PCI SATA controller card and use a slot?

2) If so, do I go into the Intel Array config (Cntl - I during boot) to define the drive? Will Windows recognize it and assign a drive letter from there? (I assume I'll have to format the drive with NTFS at some point.)

3) I think I spied an available power connector hanging near the bay -- is that OK to use?

4) OK, I've never done this before; what am I missing?

Any help or advice is much appreciated.

-- XPSFun

[TRow]

XPSFun said:

OK, I've got the dual Wildcat RAID-0 thing going in my Gen 3, but I'd like to add a third, SATA, non-RAID drive in the available third 5 1/4 drive bay. I'm think about a WD2500JD (250 GB). A few questions:

1) I've got two spare SATA on-board controller ports available -- can I use one of those, or do I need to buy a PCI SATA controller card and use a slot?

2) If so, do I go into the Intel Array config (Cntl - I during boot) to define the drive? Will Windows recognize it and assign a drive letter from there? (I assume I'll have to format the drive with NTFS at some point.)

3) I think I spied an available power connector hanging near the bay -- is that OK to use?

4) OK, I've never done this before; what am I missing?

Any help or advice is much appreciated.

-- XPSFun

1) You can use the Spare SATA port for the drive. You will not need a add-in card.

2) Windows XP will recognize the drive, but you will need to Format the Drive using "Quick Format" NTFS File System. Put your WinXP Install Disk in your CDRom and Reboot. Follow the Instructions for the "NEW DRIVE LETTER". Create Partition for NTFS File system.

3)Its ok to use the spare molex power connector, this is a storage drive I assume; shouldn't be a problem.

4)Research, its ok to be OVER prepared.

Try these sites:
support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313348
www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_tips.asp

Sorry for the delayed response

T.RoW

[XPSFun]

Many thanks for the help.

-- XPSFun

[Musabi]

Im not sure of that model number? But is that the 16MB cache version of the 250mb? If not, definetly get it. The performance is comparable to the Raptors