Adding a second hard drive are they plug&play.

[D.Rodgers]

I've run out of USB hubs and plugs,but i have a second hard drive bay available.
Can i just plug in another hard drive and let windows configure it or did i need to read up first.
TIA
dave.

[Lyle A]

You plug it in. Turn it on. Then format it and partition it. Here's some easy instructions.
How To Format a Hard Drive With Windows XP | eHow.com

I have separate hard drive just for image and video storage.

[D.Rodgers]

Originally Posted by Lyle A

You plug it in. Turn it on. Then format it and partiton it. Here's some easy instructions.
How To Format a Hard Drive With Windows XP | eHow.com

I have seperate hardrive just for image and video storage.

Thanks ..
I have sevaral external hard drives also but wasnt sure if an internal was any diffrent.

[tygersclaw]

Depending on the drive size, yes.

However larger drives (typically those over 40 GB) do require, in many cases, a quickie download of "Large Drive" software (Maxtor) or similarly titled...running it so that WinXP will recognize the actual hard drive size and be able to format the drive.

Before adding a larger hard drive, visit the manufacturer website and download the tool they will have available which will allow Windows as well as your Bios and Motherboard to accept the hard-drive especially when adding larger 250-500GB drives. Not using the Large Drive software could have you adding say a 300GB drive but Windows only seeing 128GB (Common complaint).

I have added 250 GB HDD's to may desktop computers easily many times. Typically can be done in less than 15-30 minutes start to finish.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by tygersclaw

Depending on the drive size, yes.

However larger drives (typically those over 40 GB) do require, in many cases, a quickie download of "Large Drive" software (Maxtor) or similarly titled...running it so that WinXP will recognize the actual hard drive size and be able to format the drive.

Uh, this went the way of the dodo with newer BIOS's and operating systems. There is NO need for any "large drive" type application for any computer younger than 5-8 years old. If anything, the applications should be avoided since it sets up an "interpreter" API between the OS and the hard drive controllers, adding yet another layer of something to break and screw up data.

I've added 250-500Gb drives, in a variety of formats, to WinXP and Win2000/2003 systems exactly as Lyle mentioned. Piece of cake...and no extra software required.

[DAVE PROUTY]

Haven't done this in a while, but isn't there a jumper issue to deal with on internal drives? As in change the present drive to master and the new added drive to slave? I know older IDE drives required this. Not sure on SATA drives though.

If that is still required, make sure you set each drive properly or you end up opening the case all over again to fix it.

[D.Rodgers]

Thanks for the great info.I still have to plug in the new HD.

[Alfred D.]

Or you can get a Mac with up to 4 Terabytes of wireless storage in Time Capsule.
It just works.

[D.Rodgers]

Originally Posted by Alfred D.

Or you can get a Mac with up to 4 Terabytes of wireless storage in Time Capsule.
It just works.

Thats a good idea ..
Wait my Rolls is in for service that will have to wait.
I'm buying mac again next year i'm tired of CS3 freezing up ..