How to Get the BIOS to Recognize a Slave Drive
If you are installing a hard drive or DVD drive and the computer doesn't recognize both drives, the straps on the back of the drive are not set properly. Three strap settings are available on all drives: cable select, master and slave. Changing the position of the jumper to the proper location will allow the computer to recognize the drive. The jumper is a small clip that connects two pins on the back of the drive marked by labels indicating either master, slave or cable select. The cable select setting is designed for the system to automatically set master and slave drives. The master setting is for the first drive on the cable; slave is for the second drive on the cable.
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Instructions
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Place the jumper clip into the position marked cable select on all drives on the same cable. The computer should auto detect both drives and make one the master and the other the slave drive. Reboot the computer. If your computer still doesn't recognize both drives, you may need to set the jumpers to master and slave yourself. If this is the case, move on to Step 2.
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Set the original drive to master by moving the jumper clip in the back of the drive into the slot labeled master. Set the new drive up as a slave drive by inserting the jumper clip on the back of the drive to the slot marked slave. Reboot the computer. If you are still having problems getting the system to recognize both drives, move on to Step 3.
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Move the jumper on the original drive to the slot marked slave. On the new drive, move the jumper to the slot marked master. Turn the system back on. If you are still having problems and the drive is still not recognized, there may be a problem with the drive itself. Return the new drive and trade it in for another one.
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Tips & Warnings
Turn off your computer before attempting to change the jumpers on any drives. Touch something grounded to discharge any static buildup in your body before touching electronic equipment to prevent the static shock from destroying small components inside of the device.
