I'm going to install a second hard drive today or tomorrow

[catmandu57]

It's sitting here waiting for me toput in. I've read and bookmarked the other drive thread, and while I don't see any problems, it's still going to be an adventure.
I'm limping along on a four gig drive, and I'm sick of having to watch my drive space, so I've got an 80 to put in that may take a while to max out.
I've totaled out my memory, added 256 so I'm at capacity there, this shouldn't be a problem, but if I get into trouble I'll be headed to the library using their computer and shouting for help.

[bemildred]

1. Never force connections, bent pins are a pain in the ass.

Pay close attention to where pin 1 is on the connectors.
Take your time. It's actually quite easy, I play
with hard drives all the time, the hard part is getting
all the software and operating system stuff the way
you want it. Since you are keeping the old drive as
your operating system (I think?) you are just going to
have a huge wad of new space to play with.

[catmandu57]

2. Yes that's my intention

just to keep the old drive as master. I don't think I'll have any problems really.

[lpbk2713]

3. Your new H/D might operate more efficiently as Master.

It is most likely 7200 rpm and might have an 8 MB cache whereas the older drive probably is neither. Good luck.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

4. The first vital step is to check the pin settings on your old drive

to discover if it is set as Master or Cable Select. You have to adjust the settings on the new drive to be either Slave or Cable Select (matching the settings of the original drive). If Cable Select, the plug-in location on the cable is important-- your original drive must be at the Master position, which is the connector at the end of the ribbon cable. And the colored stripe (pin one) will go next to the power supply plug-in connector. Shouldn't be a problem because most new hard drives have slotted cable sockets and the cable won't go in backward.

[Up2Late]

5. What brand of HD is it?

I've done what you are about to do a bunch of times, if your new drive is Western Digital, I can give a bunch of help on transferring files once you're done.

I REALLY hope you picked the same brand as you old one, otherwise you are just asking for trouble.