Unable to power on the PC after adding 2nd hard drive

[alegator]

I have a Dell Dimension 8200 desktop PC. It only has the main OS hard drive installed. Occasionally I add a 2nd internal drive to clone the main drive for backup purposes. It has been performing perfectly for many years. Since a month ago, whenever I add the 2nd internal drive the PC is unable to power on, it's dead. So I have to remove the 2nd drive, wait for at least one hour (who knows why) with the power cord unplugged and after that it will power on normally and function perfectly.
I checked the 2nd hard drive and it is in good condition, in fact this happens with ANY 2nd hard drive that I add. I also tried another IDE cable unsuccessfully. So I have no idea what can be causing this. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[wulf109]

Probably need a new power supply. Get with a higher watt rating than your current P.S.

[byteguy]

Honestly, most computers are NOT designed for a lot of "open, install hardware, close, open, deinstall hardwar, close"cycles.

You might have worn out where the cables attach. Unless you get in there with meters you'll probably never find the issue.

The more you do this, the more likely you are going to break something.

I would suggest taking the drive to a good shop and getting an external USB enclosure to put it in. Besides saving the inside of your computer, it's a LOT easier to hook-up for your backup or move to another machine if you have to get to a file in a hurry. After all... a friend is NOT going to like you cracking open their unit (assuming they even have a desktop and it uses the same style drive) when your computer dies and you have to print a copy of some important document.

[hech54]

Would a hard drive not set as CS (cable select) cause this type of reaction?
And....if this is the Dell "scissor case" I really don't see a problem with opening it up too much.
My old Dell 4500 was my frankenstein machine for a LONG time and it still works perfectly.

[alegator]

Hi, thanks for the replies. Let me say that:
1) The power supply is the original that came with my system, it has the specs necessary to support a 2nd internal drive.
2) The "open,install,close" cycles should only affect two things: the IDE cable (that's why I tried with a new one) or the power connector. The power connector is supplying the right voltage since I tested it with the main drive and works fine.
3) My system does not support cloning over USB, and even if I were able to do it it would take ages to transfer 160Gb of data.
4) Both hard drives are set to CS, but jumper settings have nothing to do with this issue, the system should still be able to power on.

[lowellriggsiam]

If by not powering on you mean the drive lights and fan don't do anything when the power button is pressed I'd have to agree with the assumption that yoy may needs to replace the power supply even if it meets the specs.

[JohnnyBob]

Ideas...

(1) Try a different power connector. If you don't have one, either borrow one temporarily from a different device such as an optical drive, or put in a Y-splitter to the known good connector.

(2) Set to Master/Slave rather than CS/CS.

(3) Remove cable from motherboard and both drives and inspect all carefully for bent pins. Then if OK, reseat.

[Constant Gardener]

Sure sounds like a bad power supply, but check the connection between the front panel on-off button and the motherboard in case something is not right. If the motherboard cannot see the switch closure, the power supply won't start. I have seen that particular failure precisely once, so it's not common.

[alegator]

I tried a Y-splitter to the known good connector and no luck, still same problem. What I mean by not powering is that when I push the power button the PC does not turn on at all, as if it were unplugged from the power outlet. This happens only when two internal hard drives are installed. When only one main drive is installed (no 2nd drive) the PC starts normally.
I'm more and more convinced that it's the power supply.

[classfour]

Use an external USB to IDE interface. Self powered, don't have to crack the case - many advantages. Meritline sells them every day. Some even have both IDE and SATA, as well as laptop HDD connectors.

About $10.

[alegator]

I found a workaround to this issue without having to replace the PSU. I unplugged the DVD drive power plug and used it to power the 2nd internal hard drive, and I was able to clone the main drive.