I made the mistake of thinking a COMPUTER had an IDE interface on its harddrive when it has a SATA interface. I meant to slave the new harddrive to the old one, and now I'm sitting here with a IDE harddrive that I'm unsure if I can take back. I'm INEXPERIENCED with computer assembly in general, and a virgin when it comes to slaving. Do I need to get a new SATA harddrive, or is there a way I can use this one? I feel very foolish right now. you should be able to still use the IDE drive, assuming your motherboard has IDE ports.Homer's correct. You can use both.
On most newer MBoards SATA takes priority so the IDE will automatically be a slave although you can make it bootable if need be.
So if your OS is already on the SATA you should be GOOD to go.

P.S. You may have to format the IDE before Windows will be able to use it. This can be done in DISK Management.
It will then show up as an additional drive D: for example and you can use it as a storage drive.I have an extension to this question. I would like to slave an IDE drive from an older computer that had power problems to a SATA drive but the cabling for the power side is not the same (4 pin versus ). Also there appears to be a slot on the board for a 40 pin connection but all the others are SATA. Are there adapters or is this a futile exercise? Or am i just missing an obvious solution or ??
Thanks,
Dandpmpe - welcome to the CH forums.

The 40-pin connector your mention may be for ide devices - what does your mobo manual say on the subject?

Ide to Sata and Sata to Ide adapters are widely available, here is just one example of many.. Google for lots more..

Good luck

You get can get spliters one that connects to the power plug allowing for more power plugs. But if you DVD Drive USES a SATA you mite not be able to. The fourty pin connector is for IDE HARDDRIVES and CD ROM Drives. If you really want the IDE get a differnt power suplly and so SATA converts wheich connect to the power plugs.Dusty and squall,

Thanks for the responses and link. With this information and the pictures in the link I think I understand the hookup. I'll keep you posted as to the outcome.

Happy New YearWasn't sure if you would understand that. But if you need help I'll provide some examples.