Installing HD's without restarting PC

[exzapel]

is it possible to install a hard drive to my computer without restarting it so that i can install games to it via WinHIIP

[andysquiz]

try using a external hard drive caddy using a usb 2 connection

[exzapel]

i dont have one on hand is there a way to install it using the IDE controller in my pc?

[Elenhinan]

I've done this multiple times with my old computer, running a BX-chipset. I just went to the win2k device manager, found the ide-controller I wanted to connect the disk to, clicked on 'disable'. Then connected the harddrive and clicked enable again.. then the harddrive showed up. same thing when I disconnected it.

of course.. maybe you could damage your motherboard in some way if you do this. I do doubt it but don't blame on me if it do happen. it worked for me though, and no damage to either harddrive or motherboard. I would guess that connecting the power _after_ the ide-cable would be the safest, so the harddrive is of when you connect it to the mb.

[exzapel]

oh well guess i cant do it seeing as how they are going to share an IDE chain

[HaredX]

I always just put my computer into hibernate and then exchance HDs it's kinda like a restart but it goes 10X faster

[jeex]

i would strongly suggest you dont install hdd's while the computer is on.. i accidentally did it once and it blew out my power supply.

[thedogcow]

I would only recommend hot plugging a drive if it is sata... normal molex connectors dont plugin the ground in before the live so that is why you can blow your psu!

[Peppers]

there is always a usb to ide cable that will do it

[onlynismo]

if you get the usb to ide cable, the transfer rate would be slower right? how fast is the transfer rate on the usb, 1.0 or 2.0. and does the usb power the harddrive too? do you need to switch the jumper on the harddrive in the pc? because whenever i plug the hdd from the ps2 in, i have to switch the jumper on my pc hdd.