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General discussion

Secondary Hard Drive Intermittent Problems

Jan 4, 2005 11:06AM PST

I have a Dell Dimension 4400 and my current configuration includes:
20GB Maxtor HD
128GB WD HD
1 CD burner
1 DVD reader
768MB RAM (1 256 and 1 512)

I am having problems with my second (120GB) hard drive. Sometimes the computer starts up fine, but sometimes when it starts up, it doesn't recognize the second HD. Even when it does recognize it, whenever I try to access it (most of my programs, games, mp3s, etc.) it hangs up for about 30 seconds to a minute before it does anything.

I've tried scanning for bad sectors...nothing, tried unplugging and re-plugging in the drive, and tried defragging the drive, still having the same problems. Has anyone ever had a similar problem, or can think of anything else to try?
Thanks in advance for your time.

Discussion is locked

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Noted for various reasons...
Jan 4, 2005 9:34PM PST

I have no do-this answer since DETAILS are missing in your post.

1. Must be current BIOS.
2. What OS? The DOS based OS called Windows (you didn't tell) has issues past 512MB. No firm fixes were published.
3. Jumpers and cables. Some don't follow the rules. And argue about it. Here's what we ship out. 80 conductor cables with drives on Cable Select. Master/Slave is determined by where the drive is connected to the cable. Others have found other jumper systems may work, I won't do that.

Best of luck,

Bob

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2nd hard drive
Mar 12, 2005 4:31AM PST

I just noticed date and do not know if problem is fixed.I just installed a 20gb(original to pc-Gateway) after changing it to an 80gb(master hd) hd from a V2 premier(shop **junk)I left jumpers off secondary hd(20gb) and just connected extra 4 prong clip and ribbon(slave) from 1st hd,pc took care of rest.OS is winXP sp2 and 1024mb(2 512mb sticks)of ram.Hope this helps