Why cant i connect my 2 HDDs and CDRW all at once.

[NahSoR]

Ok guys,

Here is a complicated problem of mine., Even an expert on another forum couldnt help me out, I hope you guys can...

I have a 5yr old 863Mhz P3, (please dont laugh) and XP service pack 2
HDD1: 20GB has OS
HDD2: 40 GB (primary partition is ready to deleted if needbe)
CDRW

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Here is the prob:

I cant connect both My HDDs and my CDRW all at once.

Trial 1:
IDE1: Master: HDD1 Jumper: HDD2
IDE2: CDRW

Trial 2:
IDE1: Master: HDD1 Jumper: CDRW
IDE2: Master: HDD2

Trial 3:
IDE 1: Master: HDD1
IDE 2: Master: HDD2 Jumper: CDRW (vice versa also tried)

I hope you understood me. I have also tried few other combos, but none have worked, please help...




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aww damn, wrong section.......forgive me....

[NucleusKore]

Make sure that the jumper pin for the CDRW and the main HDD is really in the master position, and the other hard disk has NO jumper.

[nishant_nms]

they are posible.

[anilmail17]

give more detail about the manufacturer of HDD and CDRW

[Kniwor]

it seems your PSU is not able to power them all, do 1 thin, connect any 2 of them, and then don't connect the data cable for third, but connect the power cable, now is everything working.

[blackpearl]

Either you incorrectly set the jumper,
OR you need to make the changes in your BIOS
OR the PSU is not able to power it (as Kniwor has said)
OR one of drives is damaged
OR one of the IDE slots is damaged
OR the cables are damaged.

[Ricky]

If he is still not able to solve the problem then he needs to first verify that the hardisk are all alright.
Secondly clearly see the jumper settings,
On one cable... Have both hdds, 20GB as primary and 40GB as Slave
And make CDrom as master on other cable.
Lastly, make sure that your 40GB is supported on your board though its unlikely to be like that !
__________
If he is still not able to solve the problem then he needs to first verify that the hardisk are all alright.
Secondly clearly see the jumper settings,
On one cable... Have both hdds, 20GB as primary and 40GB as Slave
And make CDrom as master on other cable.
Lastly, make sure that your 40GB is supported on your board though its unlikely to be like that !

[NahSoR]

Thanks for replying guys,

well, All my cables, pins are working fine,.........

My HDD is WD 40GB 7200RPm.

And im sure i have got the jumper setings right.
I wanna try entering BIOS, cab someone tell me how to do that? (I have an ancient p3)

And do you think I should try one of the bootable CDs from December Issue for trying to get to HDD setings?

@Kniwor, this could be the problem ,I will check and tell you......(My internet connection is dead, cant visit often.....I hope i get it back soon)

BR