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How to Configure Master and Slave in BIOS for Two Hard Drive Disk in a Single System

Edited byJewiki and 3 others

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EASY steps for changing your computer's BIOS settings to "Master/Slave", allowing two hard drives in one computer.

Edit Steps

  1. 1
    After you've properly installed the new hard drive, your computer should be off, but if not... Shut down the computer, then power it on again. Watch carefully for the initial boot screen to display (may just be a blinking cursor in the top corner) and tap the necessary key to over-ride the boot process; depending on your computer model it will be one of these keys: "Delete," "F1" or "F2" (if unsure check your user manual). Press it a few times before your Operating System (Windows, etc.) starts up. If your OS starts, you've missed the opportunity - you'll have to start over (patiently wait until Windows completely loads and then properly shut it down again). If you do it right, the BIOS setup screen appears.
  2. 2
    If prompted for a password, enter it and press the "Enter" key.
  3. 3
    Navigate to the "CMOS Setup" and press "Enter". Usually the first BIOS screen to appear is the "Primary" or "Basic" screen.
  4. 4
    In the CMOS menu, find "Hard Disk" and then the "Primary Master" selection. Press the "Enter" key to detect and configure the primary hard disk, making it the Master Drive.
  5. 5
    Move the cursor to the "Primary Slave" selection and press "Enter" again. Your system will repeat the same process for the second drive, but making this one the Slave Drive.
  6. 6
    Normally, you can add up to 4 drives. To add another set of drives, repeat the process, this time choose the "Secondary Master" and "Secondary Slave" fields.
  7. 7
    Press the "F10" key to save the changes. Exit the setup utility. The computer will restart, or manually restart it. Allow the computer to boot normally and you should see all your drives (C, D, E, F, etc..).

Edit Tips

  • Make sure your hard drive cables are connected properly onto the Mother Board before starting this process.
  • Make sure you and your computer are grounded properly to prevent accidental electrical shock or Mother Board damages caused from electrical surges.

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Article Info

Last edited:
May 8, 2012 by Maluniu

Categories:
Internal Components

Recent edits by: Teresa, Gothic_chicks1984, Jewiki (see all)

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