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2nd HD install question cable orientation
This is probably a dumb question but do hard drives have a "correct side up"?
i.e., does it make any difference whether the green circuit board side or the metal side is upright in the computer? The reason I ask is I'm installing a 2nd HD in my 8600, and I noticed when I unplugged the cable from the first one that the drive is right side up but that the cable went up and under (upside down) in order to accomodate the notch on the connector. Therefore I couldn't use the pull-tab assist to disconnect it (it was underneath), so I just disconnected it with my fingers, no problem. However, when I install the second drive, if I connect the 1st exactly like it was, the connector for the 2nd drive is on the wrong side of the cable and can't be plugged in. And if I just twist the cable to get both connectors on the same side, then the notches in the connectors are in the wrong place. I dug out a non-Dell cable I had and sure enough, the Dell connectors are upside down compared to the non-Dell cable. The only way I can figure out how to continue using the Dell cable is to put both drives "upside down". I guess I could use the other cable I had, but it doesn't have the pull-tabs which I like for easier disconnection. For those of you who have installed a 2nd HD, how did you orient your drives and route your Dell cable to get the connector notches to line up? Is this weird, or am I? grin GaryS |
#2
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Most drives can be installed HDA up, circuit board up, or vertically with no
problem. "GarySport" wrote in message ... This is probably a dumb question but do hard drives have a "correct side up"? i.e., does it make any difference whether the green circuit board side or the metal side is upright in the computer? The reason I ask is I'm installing a 2nd HD in my 8600, and I noticed when I unplugged the cable from the first one that the drive is right side up but that the cable went up and under (upside down) in order to accomodate the notch on the connector. Therefore I couldn't use the pull-tab assist to disconnect it (it was underneath), so I just disconnected it with my fingers, no problem. However, when I install the second drive, if I connect the 1st exactly like it was, the connector for the 2nd drive is on the wrong side of the cable and can't be plugged in. And if I just twist the cable to get both connectors on the same side, then the notches in the connectors are in the wrong place. I dug out a non-Dell cable I had and sure enough, the Dell connectors are upside down compared to the non-Dell cable. The only way I can figure out how to continue using the Dell cable is to put both drives "upside down". I guess I could use the other cable I had, but it doesn't have the pull-tabs which I like for easier disconnection. For those of you who have installed a 2nd HD, how did you orient your drives and route your Dell cable to get the connector notches to line up? Is this weird, or am I? grin GaryS |
#3
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GarySport wrote:
This is probably a dumb question but do hard drives have a "correct side up"? i.e., does it make any difference whether the green circuit board side or the metal side is upright in the computer? No, in my Dim XPS B866r the C: drive was mounted vertically and the D: drive was installed green side up. |
#4
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That depends on the drive. A few years ago, most drives were made to be
in one orientation. Now, many of them are more flexible as to how they can be mounted. But you're still dealing with a high speed rotating device and bearings. The drive should almost certainly be oriented at 0 or 90 degree intervals and not in between. You'll probably reduce bearing life in any position but flat, rightside up. GarySport wrote: This is probably a dumb question but do hard drives have a "correct side up"? i.e., does it make any difference whether the green circuit board side or the metal side is upright in the computer? |
#5
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Mike wrote:
The drive should almost certainly be oriented at 0 or 90 degree intervals and not in between. You'll probably reduce bearing life in any position but flat, rightside up. So if flat, which way is "rightside up"? The metal surface on top or the green circuit board on top? Thanks. RD |
#6
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Doesn't matter ... but ... the layout of the IDE cable may make one drive
orientation easy to install, and the other quite difficult. "GarySport" wrote in message ... This is probably a dumb question but do hard drives have a "correct side up"? i.e., does it make any difference whether the green circuit board side or the metal side is upright in the computer? The reason I ask is I'm installing a 2nd HD in my 8600, and I noticed when I unplugged the cable from the first one that the drive is right side up but that the cable went up and under (upside down) in order to accomodate the notch on the connector. Therefore I couldn't use the pull-tab assist to disconnect it (it was underneath), so I just disconnected it with my fingers, no problem. However, when I install the second drive, if I connect the 1st exactly like it was, the connector for the 2nd drive is on the wrong side of the cable and can't be plugged in. And if I just twist the cable to get both connectors on the same side, then the notches in the connectors are in the wrong place. I dug out a non-Dell cable I had and sure enough, the Dell connectors are upside down compared to the non-Dell cable. The only way I can figure out how to continue using the Dell cable is to put both drives "upside down". I guess I could use the other cable I had, but it doesn't have the pull-tabs which I like for easier disconnection. For those of you who have installed a 2nd HD, how did you orient your drives and route your Dell cable to get the connector notches to line up? Is this weird, or am I? grin GaryS |
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