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    M17x HDD caddy - are they both the same and just numbered 1 and 2?

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Ethrem, Sep 9, 2009.

  1. Ethrem

    Ethrem Notebook Prophet

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    Or are they different? I asked for a second HD caddy for my M17x when I called Alienware tech support and got the replacement touchpad ordered but it says HDD 1 on it. Is there any difference? I hope not...
     
    Ethrem, Sep 9, 2009
    #1
  2. Billdozed

    Billdozed Notebook Geek

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    The main HDD is HDD0 and the secondary is HDD1 so it's correct.
     
    Billdozed, Sep 9, 2009
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  3. lemonspeaker

    lemonspeaker Notebook Evangelist

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    No they are not the same!
    Your primary HD is connected to the system via SATA connection.
    Your second HDD have to go through an interposer, which has a SATA end on one side and then connect to the system via PATA on the other end.
    The hard drive metal case has a little hole that will hold the interposer to the actual hard drive while it bridges the HD to the system.

    So no, they are not the same hard drive case.
     
    lemonspeaker, Sep 10, 2009
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  4. Praetorian77

    Praetorian77 Notebook Consultant

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    Yep- when you mount a HDD in the primary bay (HDD0) you don't have to attach anything to it- just pop it in, screw it in, then slide it in.

    When you mount a HDD in the secondary bay (HDD1) then you have to connect the interposer to the drive first, THEN slide it into the caddy and screw it in before connecting it to the machine.

    Now as to how to get the computer to READ the blasted thing, I still haven't figured out....AT ALL. :)
     
    Praetorian77, Sep 10, 2009
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  5. Ethrem

    Ethrem Notebook Prophet

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    Okay so he sent me the right parts. I have the interposer in the box as well.
     
    Ethrem, Sep 10, 2009
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