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I have one CPU (Complete Setup Box) in my desktop, and need to run two operating systems. Instead of installing them both on the same hard drive, I am thinking of adding a second drive.
Is it possible to have two different hard disks with two different operating systems depending on one CPU? If so, what additional components do I need to include?
goofyui
Posted 2011-05-25T21:48:41.817
Reputation: 131
5
You're confusing Central Processing Unit and Computer Case.
In general, it is possible to have multiple hard disk drives in single case. The 3 main limiting factors are number of HDDs that the PATA or SATA controller supports, number of empty HDD bays in the case and number of available power connectors.
To check if your computer has met the requirements, you'll have to open the case and take a look inside.
Here's a picture of traditional SATA power connector
You should be able to find at least one free cable with such end in your case if your computer uses SATA.
If you have an older computer, HDDs will probably use older Molex connectors such as this one:
Here's a picture of SATA data cable and port on the motherboard:
You should have at least one port available on your motherboard. It could happen that cable is missing. If that's the case, you'll need to buy one, but they are usually cheap.
If it happens that your computer is older, it could be using PATA connectors.
Here's image of PATA port on a motherboard (the two bottom ports with pins going sticking up from them):
and here's image of a PATA cable:
For the free bay, the best way to look would be to find your existing hard disk drive and see if there's a bay of that size available.
Here's image of typical hard disk drive:
It could happen that there are no free bays for the HDD. In that case, find your optical disk drive and see if there are free bays of that size. There are mounting kits available which will allow you to put a HDD safely into CD-ROM drive sized bay.
Do note that it could happen that you have both PATA and SATA ports. In that case, try to get a SATA HDD, because they are generally faster than PATA and will be easier to replace in case of failure.
AndrejaKo
Posted 2011-05-25T21:48:41.817
Reputation: 16 459
3
There is no problem unless you want to run both of them at the same time (operating systems that is, not drives).
soandos
Posted 2011-05-25T21:48:41.817
Reputation: 22 744
No, i dont want to run both OS at a single instance. But how to achieve this. I am totally new to this Hardware assembling. Do i need Raid controller ?? Can i have two different hard disk like one on 250 GB 7200 RPM and another on 160 GB 5400 RPM – goofyui – 2011-05-25T21:54:31.663
You don't want raid unless you want to use RAID for backing up the drives. Just stick them into the motherboard and that's about it. Does not matter that they are different sizes, speeds, etc. – soandos – 2011-05-25T21:55:47.780
So, let's assume that i have two different hard disk with one CPU. Now, when i start the computer which hard disk will popup as Default and if i need to switch to another Hard Disk .. How should i choose ? – goofyui – 2011-05-25T21:59:06.050
Whichever one you want to. You can change these settings in BIOS, or depending on your bootloader, through that (boot.ini for winXP, Grub for linux, etc) – soandos – 2011-05-25T22:00:12.193
Okay, i am able to understand. Every time, i need to change the Hard Disk - I just need to restart and then go to BIOS - From where i can chose which Hard Disk i need to go !! – goofyui – 2011-05-25T22:01:19.217
Yes, though you can set one of the drives as default so you dont have to select it manually every time. – soandos – 2011-05-25T22:06:22.737
@Chok Do read up on GRUB. You can use it even if you're not runnign GNU/Linux as your OS. I currently have two HDDs in my laptop and use it to have a nice menu from which I can choose which OS to load when computer is starting. There are also setting like which option should be default, how long it should wait before picking the default option and so on. – AndrejaKo – 2011-05-25T22:10:33.967
Thats great to hear @AndrejaKo, so i should have some settings to keep default Hard Disk as my Primary OS – goofyui – 2011-05-25T22:21:11.797
@soandos, thank you for comments. Your comments are also helpful as like @Andrejako – goofyui – 2011-05-25T22:21:49.863
So, you say that this is not possible ? – goofyui – 2011-05-25T21:56:00.510
Well, i really dont have enough money to have two different computers one with Development OS and another with Server OS – goofyui – 2011-05-25T21:56:42.117
@Chok No. I said that I don't know. Take a look at the update. I put images of what you should look for in your computer. Most likely, you'll have room for at least one more HDD, but it's not uncommon to have room for several more. – AndrejaKo – 2011-05-25T22:07:54.653
2@Chok; It is perfectly possible to run two seperate OS' on one machine - this is called "dual booting". If you wish to run both at the same time, this cannot be done as you can only run one operating system at once, however
Virtual Machinesoftware will allow you to run a virtual OS which can perform the same functionality. – Phoshi – 2011-05-25T22:10:48.520@Andrejako Thank you for your screenshot explaination – goofyui – 2011-05-25T22:18:39.940
very nice answer! +1 – studiohack – 2011-05-25T23:51:26.363