Extra IDE sockets

[(Shovel)]

OK, I have an Abit KT7-A-RAID mobo and I don't, and wont, be using RAID.

I'm getting a second hard drive and that's to be run separately. However, since I have a DVD ROM and CDRW as well, I'm wondering whether I can stick them on their own independent connections using the unused RAID sockets? (IDE-2 and 3 I assume?).

Currently the first hard drive is on IDE-0, the DVD is on IDE-1 with the CDRW as IDE-1 slave.
I assume (logically) that this slows down CD copying.

My idea is to connect them all up with their own independed cable. However, will this cause problems on RAID IDE sockets or does it (as I assume) make no difference whatsoever?

Thanks.

 

[Embattle]

They don't recommend using the Highpoint controller for any thing but Hard drives.

 

[(Shovel)]

K.
Would it do any harm to have the first hard drive on anything other than IDE-0?

e.g to have the Optical disk drives on 0 and 1, then run the hard drives independently through the highpoint sockets?
Or is that going to screw with it? (Bearing in mind i intend to start dual booting with Linux too).

 

[Embattle]

I use the standard onboard EIDE connectors for my DVD & DVD/R/RW then use the RAID function so in you won't have trouble booting off it since you can specify in the BIOS to boot off it before the onboard EIDE. You will have to check whether Linux supports the second chip.

 

[Happy Go Lucky]

off-topic

Erm, do you need identical drives to run RAID 0 striping, do they have to be the same size or speed or make & model?

Thanks

 

[old.Strangely Brown]

I think that they don't have to be the same make & model, however it is usually recommended that they are (especially if you're mirroring rather than striping).

There is a Linux driver for the Highpoint 370 controller
here although I don't know whether these will work with the 372 on the KR7A.

Alternatively, you could just use the raid controller as standard EIDE without using the RAID stuff - Connect the hard drives up and alter the BIOS settings to boot from them first.

Good luck !

SB

 

[Embattle]

If you are doing either RAID 0/1/0+1 its still best to use the same make/model/size/speed of drive. If you don't then not only do you risk problems but the drives will default to the speed/size of the slowest/lowest drive.

 

[(Shovel)]

Ok, let me rephrase, will I be able to plug the two hard drives in to the RAID sockets, without actually using them for RAID?
E.g, to have them as separate hard drives "as usual"? I don't know what all the RAID-0/1/etc refers to, sorry!

 

[Embattle]

I know I was able to run a single drive off my old highpoint controller.

 

[Wilier]

Ive got an Abit kt7 raid, and I run 2 HDDs as master and slave from the same cable, then CDRW and DvD from another cable.
I tried using the green (raid) sockets for the HDDs without raid, which worked fine, but I didnt have enough cables.

 

[Testin da Cable]

err, yes you can -and- yes linux knows all about the highpoint chips last time I checked. You won't even have to patch iirc as the driver has been built into the kernel for yonks.

was I late

 

[(Shovel)]

OK. Well, I'm getting some of those Coolermaster IDE Cables to cut down on the evitable heat jump from adding extra stuff into the box so I'll get two to start with and if it works using the old ribbon cables then I'll get some more

Thanks for the help.