Primary IDE Slave?

I was reading in my MB manual and my Lite-On DVDRW manual that the Lite-On drive should be plugged into the secondary IDE port on MB. This way it will appear as the Primary IDE Slave in the BIOS setup screen. I checked all my connections to make sure everything is plugged in correctly, and it is, but the Lite-On is appearing as the Secondary IDE Master:



Any suggestions how I can get the Lite-On as the Primary IDE Slave, or is this not really all that important?

Thanks.

- dc

 

It should be the master, as it is the only device on the secondary channel. A slave cannot function as a single device, it must be a master if it is the only device on the channel. In other words, it's alright, so don't worry about it.

 

They jumper on the Lite-On is set as Master. Here are the connections I have on the MB:



- dc

 

Good. The jumper on the LiteOn should be set to master, and it should be located at the end of the IDE chain (not the middle). If that's the situation, you're in good shape.

 

Thanks. I'm not sure what you mean by " it should be located at the end of the IDE chain (not the middle)" ? You mean on the IDE cable, or on the BIOS screen?

- dc

 

The cable.

 

I've thought about it and I'm going to leave it as is, although I'm going to replace the bulky three-plug cables with a couple two-plug ones. Now all I have to do is figure out why programs still take a while to load. I thought after more RAM, the new PSU, and better cables that would have been taken care of. More brainstorming I guess.

- dc

 

Well make a new thread where appropriate and we'll try to help!

 

Well, could you at least tell me where to make the new thread?

- dc

 

you could put it in the upgrade section, if you're looking to upgrade something then thats the place to put it.

 

Hi

This is very confusing:

I cannot see how you will plug a device in the secondery socket and have it showing in the primary..... But then again.....

Any way this is very simple -
The IDE cable has three connectors. Start, middle and end.
Traditionaly (and I have never tried otherwise as there is no point in it), the Master, after setting the jumbers, will be connected at the end connector (last connector) and the slave, again set by the jumpers. will connect in the middle connector. I think it make sense to leave HDD's connected together on one channel and optical drives on another. However, saying that, and I couls be talking out of my harris, I cannot see why you should not be able to connect these two drives on the same ide channel.

 

i wouldnt put 2 HDD's and 2 optical drives on the same IDE cable, if you put 2 HDD's on one cable it reduces speeds, you should have HDD and optical mixed so one HDD and one optical drive on one cable and the same on the other.

 

Wow! I did not know that!

Thanks for the tip. Will re-arrange.

Anyway, I did not mean put four devices on one IDE channel.....

 

Here's a diagram of a typical IDE setup.

 

Thanks for the great advice everyone. It's been a big help. Today I went to Newegg and ordered 2 new two-plug round IDE cables to replace the long bulky three-plugs, some Artic Silver 5 thermal paste, and another case fan (I have an empty spot in the bottom/front of the case for it).

I'm thinking of replacing the CPU fan and heatsink I have with a Zalman CNPS7700-ALCU 120mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan. I've checked the specs and the Zalman will fit on the MB perfectly, without bumping into the PSU.

Anti-Trend, where did you get that great pic of the IDE/HD hookup?

- dc