11
Configuring the new IDE drive
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Master drives
If the drive you are installing is on the end of the cable, it is the master drive.
Master drives are typically
bootable
, which means they are used to
boot
, or start,
your computer.
Your IDE drive should be configured as a master if it will be the only drive
connected to the IDE interface cable or if there will be two drives connected
to the cable and the other drive is configured as a slave.
Slave drives
If the drive you are installing is in the middle of the cable, it is the slave drive.
Slave drives are typically used for storing files and installing programs. You
cannot start your computer from the slave drive.
A slave drive is the secondary drive on either the primary or secondary IDE
controller. Configure your IDE drive as a slave drive if the drive will be one of
two drives connected to the IDE interface cable and the other drive is configured
as a master drive.
If there is already one drive connected to the cable before the new IDE drive
is installed, it is probably configured as a master. However, some IDE drives
require a different master or slave setting when two drives are connected. If
you have any problems, see the documentation that came with the existing
IDE drive for additional master or slave configuration information.
Cable select
Cable select is a jumper setting that configures the drive as a master or slave
drive based on its position on the IDE cable. If both drives on the IDE data
cable are configured as cable select, the middle drive is the slave and the end
drive is the master.
The drive
and
the IDE data cable must support cable select to use this option.
Important
If you have only one drive, it must be connected to the end
connector on the IDE cable.
Important
If you are adding a drive and making it the master (boot)
drive, the existing drive must be reconfigured as a slave
drive.
