memory concerned

[SonKun]

I want to start capturing alot of tv but I dont have alot of memory so my question is if I buy another hard drive (like an 80 or so GB) will that make my memory 80gb or what and also can a computer have two hard drives?

[fmctm1sw]

I want to start capturing alot of tv but I dont have alot of memory so my question is if I buy another hard drive (like an 80 or so GB) will that make my memory 80gb or what and also can a computer have two hard drives?

Yes, a computer can have two hard drives. Generally, a computer can have up to 4 devices (CD-ROM, hard drive, etc.) using the IDE interface (most home PCs). It will depend what resolution you are going to cap at and whether you will use compression. 720X480 uncompressed on my computer will get about 50 minutes or so out of my 80G hard drive. Compression is more demanding on your computer and I don't see your computer details posted.

P.S. Might want to use the term "memory" to describe RAM not hard drive storage space

[SonKun]

O ok thank you for you help so if I buy another hard drive I will have more space for capturing. But Is there like an IDE splitter cable because I dont realy have another open port.

[fmctm1sw]

O ok thank you for you help so if I buy another hard drive I will have more space for capturing. But Is there like an IDE splitter cable because I dont realy have another open port.

On your motherboard there are two IDE (or ATA now) ports (channels). Each port can have two devices connected to it. The IDE cables (should) also have a total of three connectors on it (one for the motherboard and two other for drives). What devices do you have in your computer? I also read that putting two IDE devices on one channel can slow both devices down. I've had good success with one 80G hard drive on one channel. Not to say it WON'T work with two... That's just what works for me.

[SonKun]

Well I have nothing special exept for my hard drive, zip drive, and my cd burner. But I was planning to get another hard drive along with my current one and a Pioneer DVR A04(104). So if I can only have for things connected to my computer. I guess Ill have to take off my zip drive since I dont ever use it. Can you tell me if thats what I have to do or somthing els.

P.S. I have a Dell Dimention 4400

[fmctm1sw]

Well I have nothing special exept for my hard drive, zip drive, and my cd burner. But I was planning to get another hard drive along with my current one and a Pioneer DVR A04(104). So if I can only have for things connected to my computer. I guess Ill have to take off my zip drive since I dont ever use it. Can you tell me if thats what I have to do or somthing els.

P.S. I have a Dell Dimention 4400

Yeah, you're not left with much choice. Will that Pioneer DVR burn regular CD-R and CD-RW material? I don't know, I don't have a DVD burner. If so, you could ditch the CD burner if need be. You could ditch your hard drive and get one BIG drive.

[SonKun]

but if I ditched the hard drive wouldent I loose all of my data thats allready on my computer? and yes the Pioneer would burn cd's but much slower than my current drive. I dont ever youse the zip drive though so I guess that is what has to go. So what I just disconnect my zip and plug whatever eslse on that IDE cable

[fmctm1sw]

but if I ditched the hard drive wouldent I loose all of my data thats allready on my computer?

there's ways around this but it can be frustrating. May want to seek computer smart person to help you if you go that route.

and yes the Pioneer would burn cd's but much slower than my current drive.

I was afraid of that

I dont ever youse the zip drive though so I guess that is what has to go. So what I just disconnect my zip and plug whatever eslse on that IDE cable

Yes, your IDE devices have a jumper on them. Either master, slave, or CS (cable select). You will have to configure one as the master and one as a slave on each IDE channel. I'd try putting the jumper on whatever the ZIP drive was to start out. In my case, my 80G hard drive had to be on CS.

[SonKun]

but what do each of them do what does cable select do. what I mean is whats the difference?

[fmctm1sw]

but what do each of them do what does cable select do. what I mean is whats the difference?

One has to be the master and one has to be slave. Otherwise your motherboard won't know who is who. Chaos ensues. Probably will lock up on booting. My memory is hazy on CS, I'll have to hit the books on that one again.

[SonKun]

but I mean will it affect any of them to by on any of the settings (like will it make a difference in my drives if it is on any of the settings) or will they behave the same no matter what setting there on. and if there only three settings how can I have 4 drives?

[fmctm1sw]

but I mean will it affect any of them to by on any of the settings (like will it make a difference in my drives if it is on any of the settings) or will they behave the same no matter what setting there on. and if there only three settings how can I have 4 drives?

I doubt it will matter which is which. There are only master/slave/CS because the IDE chanellsare totally separate from each other. On EACH channel you will have a master and a slave...
you will see when it boots up. It will identify one drive as master and slave on the "primary IDE" channel and "secondary IDE" channel. Boot up your computer and look at it

[SonKun]

O ok now I know what you mean. but on this computer I cant just boot it up and look at it because it is runing Xp pro and it doesnt do that on this version but I have seen my windows 98 computer do it many times.

and thank you very much for all of your help