GT780dxr add 2nd hard drive - AHCI mode

J

Jimlenz

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I have a gt780dxr with one drive, ocz vertex 3, 2nd bay is empty.  The bios is set in raid mode which is correct. 

I am trying to add a 2nd hard drive and it isn't recognized in the bios.  It is seated properly and does work as I can use it on other laptops. 

I have 3 questions.

1. Is there anything special that needs to be done when installing a 2nd drive on this system?

2. I tried to change the bios to ahci mode and get bsod.  Is this normal?  Should I be able to move from one setting to another.  I really don't care about the change but thought it may be needed to install the 2nd hard drivve.

3. There is a rubber block to keep the 2nd drive seated properly.  I don't think it is sufficient.  Any other ideas or where I can get a hard drive caddy/enclosure.

Thanks

Jim
 
You say the hard drive works in another notebook but have you tested it in the 1st drive bay in the notebook? I only ask as it could be a compatibility problem. Something to check out anyway. In fact, does the 1st drive work when inserted in the 2nd drive bay, too?
 
No, I have not tried that.  If it is only a data drive, can I just connect it into drive one and boot.  How will i know if it works?  Then if I connect the ssd into drive 2, how do I know if that is working? 

Jim
 
Jimlenz said:
No, I have not tried that.  If it is only a data drive, can I just connect it into drive one and boot.  How will i know if it works?  Then if I connect the ssd into drive 2, how do I know if that is working? 

Jim
Click to expand...

See if they show up in the BIOS. That was my point really. :)
 
Mark said:
See if they show up in the BIOS. That was my point really. :)
Click to expand...

I tried as you suggested and both drives show up in the bios.  The issue must be with the way the other hard drive was seated in the 2nd bay.  It is real loose while when the ssd is in the 2nd bay, it is tight, good fit. 

Is there any downside to have my boot drive in the 2nd bay and my data drive in the first bay?  If I have to swith them, I will probably need to get a mounting bracket for drive 2 as the rubber block will not do it. 

Thoughts?
 
Jimlenz said:
Is there any downside to have my boot drive in the 2nd bay and my data drive in the first bay? 
Click to expand...

I wouldn't have thought it would make much difference. Simply make sure the boot order is correct in the BIOS.

I'm not familiar with hard drive mounting in notebooks so can't comment much. If you post a picture of the bay with the drive in I may think of something if I can.
 
Mark said:
I wouldn't have thought it would make much difference. Simply make sure the boot order is correct in the BIOS.

I'm not familiar with hard drive mounting in notebooks so can't comment much. If you post a picture of the bay with the drive in I may think of something if I can.
Click to expand...

The fit surprised me also, the samsung is 9.5mm and the bay is 12.5mm, i believe.  Plus there is nothing really to hold it in.  I will work on a picture.  I guess I could get some styrofoam and put it in there to keep in place?  Any other products that would be safe?

The more important question...

There is no issue with the interface speed?  I know there is 6gb and 3gb?  Not sure if both controllers are 6gb? 

 
Run a hard drive benchmark like HD Tach on the SSD and see if there is a noticeable difference in performance between the two bays.
 
Mark said:
Run a hard drive benchmark like HD Tach on the SSD and see if there is a noticeable difference in performance between the two bays.
Click to expand...

I ran the test on atto and it was half the speed as in the primary bay.  The 2nd bay must be only 3gb.  So it comes down to finding a way to get it seated so the connection will not get loose.  Other than spending $40 on the caddy, any ideas? I have only been able to find it at one place and with product and shipping it is almost $46 for a piece of tin. 

Thanks

Jim
 
Hi,

I also have a GT780DX since 3 months.
I  tried to add a 2nd hard drive but it isn't recognized in the bios. The hard drive is seated properly.
The original hard drive installed is the Western Digital and the bios is original also. (Bios ver.1761, i think).
The second hard drive i tried to installed is the Memoright FTM Plus 240gb Sata III SSD.
I changed the bios setting from AHCI to IDE and nothing changed.
Do i need to update with the other bios (supporting the RAID) if i want to install another drive? Even if not necessarily in RAID? 
Is there anything special that needs to be done when installing a 2nd drive on this system?

Please somebody can help me?

Thanks

Max
 
@Anouck
Start own topic, don't hijack other people topics!
 
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