Why would you expect to see a second " >> CABLE <<" lying there? The SATA power connector should be on the power supply cables, and the SATA data cable would come with the new HDD, or have to be purchased by you, if you buy an OEM, (bare) drive.The existing HD is SATA I was hoping the second one would be too. But I don't see spare cable just lying there. .
Is this small form factor? Certainly sounds like it is
The few I have seen had heating issues, you might consider replacing current HD with larger capacity.
We have several of the GX280 here, but they are no Small form factor and i have added a second SATA hard drive to a couple of them withiout issue.
Yes, this turkey does in fact, have only one SATA port. You could also look at PCI SATA expansion cards. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=PCI-SATA&x=0&y=0 This assumes of course, that the PCI socket is not being used for a modem or such. The cheapies will do the trick. Dell's diagrams do show a space in the drive holder for the addition of a second HDD. or (?)I've never added a second SATA drive. They last time I added a second drive was IDE I believe and the ribbon cable has just lying there awaiting to be used. So that's why I though the SATA cable would be the same. But in light of what was said above about heat, I think I will take that advice and just replace the one existing one with a bigger one. I could use the second connector on the IDE cable for the DVD drive as this model doesn't have a second SATA port but it's more work than is necessary for such an old machine. Just trying to extend the live of the lil bugger.
Yes, this turkey does in fact, have only one SATA port. You could also look at PCI SATA expansion cards. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=PCI-SATA&x=0&y=0 This assumes of course, that the PCI socket is not being used for a modem or such. The cheapies will do the trick. Dell's diagrams do show a space in the drive holder for the addition of a second HDD. or (?)
Wow, two different computers with the same designation, even Emachines doesn't do that. Maybe I should send a snarky email to Dell about that.I have the small desktop version of the Dell Optiplex GX 280. The link you were wondering if I bothered to look at in your snarky pre-edited reply was for the minitower verson.
Wow, two different computers with the same designation, even Emachines doesn't do that. Maybe I should send a snarky email to Dell about that.
WD has taken to giving out free versions of "Acronis True Image" with their drives. http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=606&lang=en This would enable you to transfer your data to a new (WD) drive. Acronis is considered by many to be the best HDD imaging software around.
In your situation, I might even consider an external HDD, assuming that you're looking to expand storage. This would be a boon if the Dell decided to call it quits, of if you decided to replace it, just pull the plug on the drive and head to the new computer with it.
With your plan, the advantage I see, is that a newer high capacity drive would most likely have better access times, and therefore a better boot time. (Hopefully).
HOWEVER, with only one SATA port on the motherboard, I'm not exactly sure how you would go about imaging one drive to the other, without an add in SATA controller card. Plan "B" might be using an external drive housing, on a temporary basis.
Wow, two different computers with the same designation, even Emachines doesn't do that. Maybe I should send a snarky email to Dell about that.
WD has taken to giving out free versions of "Acronis True Image" with their drives. http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=606&lang=en This would enable you to transfer your data to a new (WD) drive. Acronis is considered by many to be the best HDD imaging software around.
In your situation, I might even consider an external HDD, assuming that you're looking to expand storage. This would be a boon if the Dell decided to call it quits, of if you decided to replace it, just pull the plug on the drive and head to the new computer with it.
With your plan, the advantage I see, is that a newer high capacity drive would most likely have better access times, and therefore a better boot time. (Hopefully).
HOWEVER, with only one SATA port on the motherboard, I'm not exactly sure how you would go about imaging one drive to the other, without an add in SATA controller card. Plan "B" might be using an external drive housing, on a temporary basis.