Optimal IDE set-up: 2 HD, DVD-RW, DVD-ROM

[Timbot421]

Hello All,

I found a really good article through the forums about maximizing IDE arrangements, but I have run into an inconsistency when altering a Dell that I want to sort out.

I am installing my DVR 109 and removing my CD-RW. I will also be adding a second HDD in the next week once a bracket arrives. My proposed configuration is:

Primary IDE:

Master = 40GB HDD (currently installed)
Slave = 80GB HDD

Secondary IDE:

Master = DVD-RW
Slave = DVD-ROM

I will not be burning on-the-fly. My confusions arises over whether I should switch to "Cable Select" once I install 80 wire cables. I have seen articles encouraging the master-slave arrangement but I have read on this forum that Dell products need to be configured in "Cable Select." Which is the better arrangement?

Thanks for you help.

[TotalChaos]

Your configuration is standard for best performance: (optical drive together and HDD together) As for dell requiring anything specific for IDE drive installation..... well I've never heard of special IDE requirments on most computers much less somthing new and PnP. Personally I always set all drives to Cable Select because I never know when that drive might be moved to some other computer or arranged differently in the same computer. (makes trouble shooting easier somtimes) To speed up boot times change the auto option in BIOS to whatever the drive is (IE 80GB HDD for primary slave and DVD-RW for secondary master... ect) and to get peak transfer rates make sure DMA is enabled for all IDE controllers under device manager in windows. (as opposed to PIO)