Dell 8300 Upgrade

Lyrrad

Hi

I need some assistance please.


I have 2 160GB hard drives installed already. Main drive (c) is okay and contains just program files. Second drive (G) will not allow me to optimize it and it contain mainly TIFF,MP3,JPG and the normal created files.

I have recently bought 2 500gb SATA 2 hard drives.

My plan would be to copy all of( G) drive to new 500GB drive and then format existing 160GB (G). I would then like to install other 500gb drive together with reformatted 160GB drive.


1. Is it possible for me to have 4 drives (existing 2 are SATA but not SATA 2)? When I got my conputer it only had 1 drive installed, the second install require d nothing more than a SATA cable and utilising existing connector from MOBO. I know there is now no further spare connector on MOBO, but I hope there is a way. If not I am prepared to end up with just 2 500GB drives, but would then need to copy contects of existing (C) drive to new 500gb drive. Do I need to upgrade power unit supplied by Dell

2. What is the best way to copy entire content of one drive to another?




Thanks in advance

hendersonb

1. This pretty much depends on how many SATA ports you have, if you have room in the case for all the drives etc. If you have the ro but not enough ports you can add an aditional SATA controller card.
Your power supply should be fine.

2. Norton Ghost (assuming your not running vista).

Lyrrad

Thanx for that.

Any recommendations. I had sort of come to the conclusion that I would need a controller, but I do hear mixed reports on different brands.


I know this is MoneySavingExpert, but I believe that price is not everything. Reliabilty is paramount to me in this situation.

I have seen this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CC-022-AD&tool=3

If my machine came shipped with SATA drive and not SATA 2 do you think it is safe to assume that the I will have 32bit PCI slot and that I will not be able to utilise my SATA 2 drives at their best. That in itself is not a problem, it is what I expected anyway, and I know they are backward compatable. I ask because I don't want to waste money purchasing a SATA 2 controller if my MOBO only has that 32bit slot. How can I check? I don't have any paperwork for my PC now.

Lyrrad

I have spent about 90 minutes in total today talking with Dell. Their support for me was next to useless. I have been informed that Dell make their PC's in such a way that it is very diffcult to know whether a 3rd party product will work. In laymans terms I have a PCI slot (not pCI express) and if I buy a SATA controller it will just give me 2 terminals that will have data leads going to my 2 new drives. My 2 new drives will also have power leads going to a spare pwer terminal inside my PC. Can anyone tell me if there can be a compatability problem here. I can't see how there could be, but I'm certainly no expert. Overclockers just said they will not guarantee their produt will work and I must pay my money and take my chances.