Add another hard drive to a laptop? - Toyota Yaris Forums

CompanyXPaladin · 11-22-2008, 08:23 PM

Computer nerds! I have a Toshiba Satellite M45 laptop that I would like to add a second hard drive to. It only has one HDD bay, and only one hdd connector. The HDD type is ATA-6. What I am thinking, is that I should be able to solder another ATA-6 connector to the motherboard at the current connector. Is this right/wrong? I know I can solder it via adapter to the motherboard USB, but I would rather have the speed (relative, lol) of the ATA-6. Can I set up two laptop HDDs on the same ATA header as a master/slave combo?

So, basically, what I am saying, is that I am interested in hooking up a hard drive as a slave to my laptop. Does this make sense to anyone? Anyone have any ideas? Better yet, does anyone have any experience with this? Any ideas are welcome. I'm a computer tech, and no stranger to outrageous computer mods, so no suggestions are out of the question. Thanks!

seth_man · 11-22-2008, 08:42 PM

that would really depend on the firmware in the ata controller on the mb (that might be tough to find out) . if the firmware allows recognition of multiple devices then you should be able to make up a cable. their are 2.5 to 3.5 ata cable adapters out there that you could get that might make it somewhat easier that fabin up a cable or doing damage to your mb without knowing for sure.

CompanyXPaladin · 11-22-2008, 09:48 PM

I would rather not get an external drive because I want the higher speed of the ATA, and because I would rather have the second hard drive inside the laptop. There is room for it, it just takes some 'creative' organization. I want to install XP to the second drive so I can dual boot Linux and XP - and I would rather not partition my existing drive (Yes I know I could do it without interrupting my current partition). And lastly I am interested in adding a second drive to the ATA header for the sake of doing it. =)

eTiMaGo · 11-22-2008, 09:57 PM

well, it'd be one heck of a crazy project, but in theory doable, look at the desktop IDE cables, they're all on the same wires.

What I suggest though, look in your BIOS or use some system information tool like SANDRA to determine if your CD/DVD drive is set up as a secondary master or primary slave. If it's the slave then it means that IDE header *probably* won't be able to accept the extra drive. Also, I'm trying to remember, but I don't think laptop hard drives have any master/slave jumper, though it is possibly a factory Cable Select setup, who knows

Hats off to you if you do pull it off!

Phaeton · 11-23-2008, 12:18 PM

Just get an external usb drive. Save yourself the hassle.

11-22-2008, 08:23 PM	#1
CompanyXPaladin Drives: 08 Yaris 5-speed Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 212	Add another hard drive to a laptop? Computer nerds! I have a Toshiba Satellite M45 laptop that I would like to add a second hard drive to. It only has one HDD bay, and only one hdd connector. The HDD type is ATA-6. What I am thinking, is that I should be able to solder another ATA-6 connector to the motherboard at the current connector. Is this right/wrong? I know I can solder it via adapter to the motherboard USB, but I would rather have the speed (relative, lol) of the ATA-6. Can I set up two laptop HDDs on the same ATA header as a master/slave combo? So, basically, what I am saying, is that I am interested in hooking up a hard drive as a slave to my laptop. Does this make sense to anyone? Anyone have any ideas? Better yet, does anyone have any experience with this? Any ideas are welcome. I'm a computer tech, and no stranger to outrageous computer mods, so no suggestions are out of the question. Thanks!

11-22-2008, 09:57 PM	#4
eTiMaGo vroom vroom View User's Garage Drives: lil red 5-door Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 7,744	well, it'd be one heck of a crazy project, but in theory doable, look at the desktop IDE cables, they're all on the same wires. What I suggest though, look in your BIOS or use some system information tool like SANDRA to determine if your CD/DVD drive is set up as a secondary master or primary slave. If it's the slave then it means that IDE header probably won't be able to accept the extra drive. Also, I'm trying to remember, but I don't think laptop hard drives have any master/slave jumper, though it is possibly a factory Cable Select setup, who knows Hats off to you if you do pull it off! __________________ The price of freedom of religion, or of speech, or of the press, is that we must put up with a good deal of rubbish. - Robert Jackson Bye bye 1NZ...

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11-22-2008, 08:42 PM	#2
seth_man View User's Garage Drives: 08 Liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Thompson, CT Posts: 159	that would really depend on the firmware in the ata controller on the mb (that might be tough to find out) . if the firmware allows recognition of multiple devices then you should be able to make up a cable. their are 2.5 to 3.5 ata cable adapters out there that you could get that might make it somewhat easier that fabin up a cable or doing damage to your mb without knowing for sure.

11-22-2008, 09:48 PM	#3
CompanyXPaladin Drives: 08 Yaris 5-speed Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 212	I would rather not get an external drive because I want the higher speed of the ATA, and because I would rather have the second hard drive inside the laptop. There is room for it, it just takes some 'creative' organization. I want to install XP to the second drive so I can dual boot Linux and XP - and I would rather not partition my existing drive (Yes I know I could do it without interrupting my current partition). And lastly I am interested in adding a second drive to the ATA header for the sake of doing it. =)

11-23-2008, 12:18 PM	#5
Phaeton View User's Garage Drives: Blazing Blue Liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Port Angeles, Wa Posts: 385	Just get an external usb drive. Save yourself the hassle.