Primary and Secondary IDE Channel Question

[modraker]

While refurbishing an old computer, I came across the following two choices:

Choice 1:
Primary IDE Channel --- Hard Disk (Master), DVD Writer (Slave)

Choice 2:
Primary IDE Channel --- Hard Disk (Master)
Secondary IDE Channel --- DVD Writer (Master)

Does one setup have an advantage over the other?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by modraker While refurbishing an old computer, I came across the following two choices: Choice 1: Primary IDE Channel --- Hard Disk (Master), DVD Writer (Slave) Choice 2: Primary IDE Channel --- Hard Disk (Master) Secondary IDE Channel --- DVD Writer (Master) Does one setup have an advantage over the other?

With the optical drives on separate IDE channels you can do disc-to-disc on-the-fly burns. Moving data back and forth between the HDDs will be faster too since they're not on the same channel.

But it's mostly personal preference...I put the HDDs on the same channel and the opticals on the same channel on my own computers.

The DVD Writer on the secondary IDE channel should be set to Slave or leave it Master and change the HDD to Slave.

Cricket

[modraker]

I have only one HDD and only one DVD writer. In your opinion, what would be the better way to set them up?

[Alaron]

If you just one of each, I'd agree with Cricket. Put them each on their own channel.

[modraker]

I may not be reading Cricket's reply correctly. I read it as follows:

Primary IDE Channel --- HDD (Master)
Secondary IDE Channel --- DVD Writer (Slave)

Can I make the DVD Writer a slave on the secondary IDE channel even though there is no master at that channel?

[Cricket]

Oh sorry...I misunderstood your first post. I thought you had a computer that has 2 HDDs and 2 optical drives.

Now that I've looked at things again the second choice is the way to do it...HDD on primary IDE channel as Master. Optical drive on secondary IDE channel as Master.

Sorry about the confusion.

Cricket

[modraker]

No problem Cricket. I appreciate your sage advice as always.