How Do I Add Another SATA HDD ? Only got room for 2?

[jacko900000]

I have an Acer desktop (will update with specs)
Just a quick question.. I have room for 2 SATA HDD's.

1. Was my main HDD (was 1TB but corrupted so been replaced)
2. Goes into my disc drive

I don't have a 3rd, so was wondering is they some kind of splitter I could use to split one of the SATA cables?

So it goes from my PC to a splitter, then the splitter has 2 connections for the SATA?

Thanks.

 

[jacko900000]

Here's some pics.. Just wanted to know what these were for?

 

[dsperber]

Unless you post detailed specs on your machine it's impossible for us to help.

Are you asking if you could somehow string an external 3rd SATA drive off of an internal SATA cable going to one of your onboard SATA controller connectors? Pretty much impossible, as each controller is intended to control one drive.

Do you have USB 3.0 connectors on the back of your machine? If so, your best bet would be to buy an external USB 3.0 drive (which are almost always just SATA-II drives in an external enclosure using a USB 3.0 connection interface). That way you get exactly the 3rd drive expansion capability you're looking for, and also a very high speed device... living within the constraints of your machine.

I highly recommend this Verbatim Store n Save 97580 2TB drive for $115. I've installed eight of them on different family/friend machines (three for me alone) for use as system backup media, but obviously they can be used for whatever purpose you want... at full USB 3.0 speeds. They come with a nice piece of software (Green Button) that spins down the drive after some period of inactivity, to save on wear and tear until it is next needed (at which time the drive spins back up).

The drives can run at USB 2.0 speeds as well if you only have USB 2.0 ports, but obviously that's not high-performance use as a true internal SATA drive would be.

If you don't have a USB 3.0 port, but you do have a spare PCIe x1 expansion slot on your motherboard, you can add something like this USB 3.0 adapter from Transcend for $16 (it actually has an industry standard Renesas USB 3.0 controller on it). Works perfectly (I've added them to four machines) for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows and gives you two USB 3.0 ports on older machines that didn't include them but do have a free PCIe x1 slot. I had a problem with the drivers not working for another vendor's 4-port version of the same type of device, so I don't recommend it.

 

[DavidE]

If you have an open PCI Express slot you can get a card such as these
Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Computer Accessories, Add-On Cards, PCI Express to SATA Card

 

[linnemeyerhere]

We need full model number and more pictures as you are asking about adding two HDD's but showing us PCIe slots and 4 pin connectors. We need to see if you have two empty 3.5" HDD bays open as well as at least one available molex connector off the PSU as well we need to see if you have two open sata headers.
Please forgive my less than professional graphics..

 

[jacko900000]

Model: Acer Aspire x1301

Edition: Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit (was 64bit)

Hard Drive: Was 1TB now 120GB

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II x4 620 Processor 2.60 GHz

Installed Memory (RAM): 4.00 GB (2.75 GB usable)

System type: 32-big (Was originally 64)

Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8200


Unsure what else you'll need.

I've also ordered this off eBay THIS USB TO SATA

I've posted pictures above of my motherboard, Not exactly sure what they're the names above

Edit:
Also found this - USER MANUAL

Shows that I have a eSATA? on the back

Also a PCI Express x16?

& a PCI Express x1?

What could I do with these?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

The USB TO SATA you purchased is purely an external device and will come in handy but has zero use in what you are asking.
What we need is pictures of all the drive bays, pictures of the sata headers as well pictures of any free molex or sata style power plugs.
Let's stick with the interest in adding two HDD's and hold the other stuff for now as it will just get confusing till we determine what's available on your mobo currently.
Maybe you need to look closely at my pictures and then look for these on your rig.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Your sata headers are behind the cmos battery in your picture it only shows one but you should have several, please provide a detailed picture of those headers as well as the drive bays.

 

[jacko900000]

Your sata headers are behind the cmos battery in your picture it only shows one but you should have several, please provide a detailed picture of those headers as well as the drive bays.

Thanks.
I'll be honest, My PC is really small and compact I doubt they would be space to officially fit another HDD in there.

I had to get a hard drive out of a broken laptop (motherboard broken) and connect it to where my 1TB should be connected just to boot my PC as the 1TB HDD is broken.

I'm just wanting to connect the 1TB HDD that was origonally in my PC to delete everything on there and see if I can connect it as a.. lets say external/second HDD so I'm not really loosing the full 1TB.

I'm using my PC at moment but going to shut it down now and take full pictures of it.

Will post back soon.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Perfect as the pictures I'm pulling up on line shows you could be very very limited for sata headers as well as space but pictures will help us understand.
How many hard drives do you want to control ? and are they internal or external.

 

[DocBrown]

I only see 2 Sata data headers (labeled #6 & #11) So you cannot split Sata data cables, but you can Y split Sata power cables. I don't see an IDE header on the MB so that leaves out a IDE to Sata conversion board. The one you posted is a USB connection adapter. It will work, but not the best for permanent installation. You might be better off with a Two (2) drive Sata HD DOCK.

Most ext DOCKS will work with Desktop & Laptop Sata HD's

Last pic is a two (2) HD USB external enclosure

 

[jacko900000]

Ok I've attached some pictures to hopefully make it stand out a little clearer.

Pictures go from top to bottom, Left to right.

Picture 1:
1: Goes to front of PC to control power button & LED's
2: Goes to front USB & card slots (see picture 3, 4 & 5)
3: Goes to HDD (that was 1TB)
4: Goes to Disc Drive

Picture 2:
1: Power for disc drive
2: Unknown power source, come from power box
3: Power and SATA to HDD

Picture 3, 4 & 5:
Front USB's, card readers etc

Picture 6:
Back side of tower (near keyboard connectors etc)

Picture 7:
1: SATA & power for Disc Drive
2: SATA for HDD

Picture 8:
1: Power for Disc Drive
2: Unknown power?

Picture 9:
1: Where I've had to put the HDD from laptop

 

[smarteyeball]

Here's some pics.. Just wanted to know what these were for?

Not sure if this was answered:



1. PCIE-E x16 slot

2. PCI-E x1 slot

 

[jacko900000]

I only see 2 Sata data headers (labeled #6 & #11) So you cannot split Sata data cables, but you can Y split Sata power cables. I don't see an IDE header on the MB so that leaves out a IDE to Sata conversion board. The one you posted is a USB connection adapter. It will work, but not the best for permanent installation. You might be better off with a Two (2) drive Sata HD DOCK.

Most ext DOCKS will work with Desktop & Laptop Sata HD's

Last pic is a two (2) HD USB external enclosure

So could I just used the SATA to USB I bought to run the HDD as external? Then buy a cage when I have more money?

 

[jacko900000]

Here's some pics.. Just wanted to know what these were for?

Not sure if this was answered:

? Looks like one half of the 4+4/ 8 pin CPU power. If you're mobo only has a 4 plug, it'd be a spare essentially.

1. PCIE-E x16 slot

2. PCI-E x1 slot

Thanks!

Main question I was looking for, Are these useful for anything? Could I attach anything useful? What would it do?

Sorry, Little nooby when it comes to internal compartments

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I only see 2 Sata data headers (labeled #6 & #11) So you cannot split Sata data cables, but you can Y split Sata power cables. I don't see an IDE header on the MB so that leaves out a IDE to Sata conversion board. The one you posted is a USB connection adapter. It will work, but not the best for permanent installation. You might be better off with a Two (2) drive Sata HD DOCK.

Most ext DOCKS will work with Desktop & Laptop Sata HD's

Last pic is a two (2) HD USB external enclosure

So could I just used the SATA to USB I bought to run the HDD as external? Then buy a cage when I have more money?

Yes that will work but transfer speeds will suffer but it will work.

 

[jacko900000]

I only see 2 Sata data headers (labeled #6 & #11) So you cannot split Sata data cables, but you can Y split Sata power cables. I don't see an IDE header on the MB so that leaves out a IDE to Sata conversion board. The one you posted is a USB connection adapter. It will work, but not the best for permanent installation. You might be better off with a Two (2) drive Sata HD DOCK.

Most ext DOCKS will work with Desktop & Laptop Sata HD's

Last pic is a two (2) HD USB external enclosure

So could I just used the SATA to USB I bought to run the HDD as external? Then buy a cage when I have more money?

Yes that will work but transfer speeds will suffer but it will work.

Will it suffer bad?
What about if I totally formatted it, then installed windows 7 on it again and set it back to my primary HDD?

Also a screenshot of my Windows Proformance..
Any idea's how I could give it a boost?

 

[smarteyeball]

Ok I've attached some pictures to hopefully make it stand out a little clearer.

Picture 1:

1 Front panel header / power switch/led/reset etc

2 USB headers

3 Sata 2 port

4 Sata 2 port


Picture 2:

1 Sata power cable
2 The + 4 pin of the 20/4 motherboard power. Your mobo only has a 20 pin. It's useless to you.
3 Backside of a hard drive


Picture 5:

1 ? Sata cords, sata power
2 Sata 2 connection





As mentioned, the only way you are going to add more sata devices is by adding a Sata card on either a PCIE-E 16 (long slot) or the PCIE-E x1 (short slot)

One thing I didn't see in the pics was if there were any spare sata power, or even molex plugs to power up further HDD's.

(Molex plugs are rectangular with 4 pin holes)


There is also no such thing as a Sata splitter that you were thinking of. One drive per slot I'm afraid.

Thanks!

Main question I was looking for, Are these useful for anything? Could I attach anything useful? What would it do?

The slots yes, the plug no. (After I saw the other angle it clicked what it was)

Sorry, Little nooby when it comes to internal compartments

No need to apologize

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Pic. 1#1 Looks to be a front audio header
Pic. 1#2 Is a USB 2.0 header
Pic. 1#3 & #4 Sata mobo headers

Pic. 2#1 Sata power connector
Pic. 2#2 4 pin left over from 20/24 pin main mobo connector
Pic. 2#3 Looks to be a HDD showing sata data and sata power

Pic. 3#1 sata header and sata power
Pic. 3#2 2nd sata header

 

[jacko900000]

Ok I've attached some pictures to hopefully make it stand out a little clearer.

Picture 1:

1 Front panel header / power switch/led/reset etc

2 USB headers

3 Sata 2 port

4 Sata 2 port


Picture 2:

1 Sata power cable
2 The + 4 pin of the 20/4 motherboard power. Your mobo only has a 20 pin. It's useless to you.
3 Backside of a hard drive


Picture 5:

1 ? Sata cords, sata power
2 Sata 2 connection

As mentioned, the only way you are going to add more sata devices is by adding a Sata card on either a PCIE-E 16 (long slot) or the PCIE-E x1 (short slot)

One thing I didn't see in the pics was if there were any spare sata power, or even molex plugs to power up further HDD's.


There is also no such thing as a Sata splitter that you were thinking of. One drive per slot I'm afraid.[/QUOTE]

Hmm
Not turning out to be such a good PC as its been running for the last 4 years. Maybe time for an upgrade

How much am I looking at for a PCIE-E 16 to SATA .. or something like that?

& yeah, I can't see any extra SATA or power wires/plugs