Adding a second hard drive for PCLinuxOS

[Yankee]

@Raimy

Exactly what type, model, brand, etc. computer is it ?

It's a Dell Alienware M17X R4. I finally found the packing list that came with the system and it is a 180w. Please tell me that's okay...I might just cry if it's not.

The only way to tell is chat with an Alienware expert on their website.

Second, when you boot and hit esc or F10 do you get a screen allowing
you to select a drive ?

That's a super nice computer, wish I had one.     

[Yankee]

IMO, the 'safest' method is to put the PCLOS Grub on the MBR of the second drive, thus not touching the first one at all.

Absolutely     

[Raimy]

IMO, the 'safest' method is to put the PCLOS Grub on the MBR of the second drive, thus not touching the first one at all.

Absolutely     

Okay so if I do that how does it work? When I start the computer which boot loader will come up and how would I access the other if I wanted that OS? And when I do finally get PCLOS to work all the way, how do I do about having it be as it used to be? Have it so when I turn the pc on the PCLOS version of Grub comes up with the Windows and PCLOS options.

I'm sorry I'm being so dense but I want to make sure I understand. The good news is that once I do finally get a concept down I've got it for good.

[Yankee]

Wait a minute, first chat with the Alienware expert on their website
to finalize the hard drives they allow.   Post back that info, then
we'll proceed.

Also, ask them which key you press at the first boot screen to select
which drive to boot from.   Very important.   Post that info back then.

[Raimy]

@Raimy

Exactly what type, model, brand, etc. computer is it ?

It's a Dell Alienware M17X R4. I finally found the packing list that came with the system and it is a 180w. Please tell me that's okay...I might just cry if it's not.

The only way to tell is chat with an Alienware expert on their website.

Second, when you boot and hit esc or F10 do you get a screen allowing
you to select a drive ?

That's a super nice computer, wish I had one.     

I've already posted on the Alienware site but they aren't as quick to respond as you guys are here. I try calling them tomorrow.

I'm not sure I get what you're asking. If I hit f12 during boot I get the option of where to boot from, ie hard drive, cd, etc. Is that what you mean?

It is a nice computer! The graphics are incredible and it just speeds along. Took me quite a while to save up to afford it though.

[Just17]

You add a new boot stanza to the Mint menu to launch the PCLOS Grub menu from where you can boot PCLOS.

When you want to you can overwrite the Mint Grub with the PCLOS one, and after that is done you can delete Mint if you wish.

For the moment take the safe route.

Changes can be made when required.

[Raimy]

You add a new boot stanza to the Mint menu to launch the PCLOS Grub menu from where you can boot PCLOS.

When you want to you can overwrite the Mint Grub with the PCLOS one, and after that is done you can delete Mint if you wish.

For the moment take the safe route.

Changes can be made when required.

Okay, I take a step back and proceed slowly. I do have a tendency to rush into things which usually backfires on me. I'm taking the advice Yankee gave to talk to the Alienware people and find out it I can safely add that drive. The site said that the chat isn't available so I have to call them tomorrow.

Then I'll be back! 

[Raimy]

Okay, I was able to get a hold of the Alienware tech support and they said that as long as the drive I want to use physically fits in the bay then I'm good to go. Since the computer originally came with 2 drives the power supply is good.

I never thought about the size of the drive, I assumed since both computers were dell laptops it would be fine but I'll open the other one tomorrow to make sure.

[Yankee]

Well find out from their chat which HD's are allowed.
They might only allow 500 Gb's.

Verify on chat with them that F12 will allow you to boot
from the second HD.

Mint uses Grub2 so Mint has to boot from drive 1 and PCL
has to boot from drive 2.   Not a problem.    PCL shouldn't
use or support Grub2, which also isn't a problem.   We'll
just boot Mint from drive 1 and PCL from drive 2.

Post back that info so we know we can proceed from here
with that info.    Almost done.     This is going to take a day
or two.

Have a good one.

Y

[horusfalcon]

Didn't Raimy already state that he had Windows running on the 750 in this machine?  If so, it will almost certainly take a 500 in the second drive bay.  Still, best way to be sure is to pull down the specs or get tech support to vet for you.

If I were going with a magnetic hard drive (as opposed to an SSD), I'd make sure it was a low-power 7,200 RPM drive.  Since you already have a drive on hand, research it and see what it's power requirements are (most 2.5 in. drives these days don't draw a whole lot of power, but check anyway... better safe than sorry.

The power supply for that Alienware sounds massive!  Most laptop power adapters are not half that capacity.  (I upgraded my D620 to the nine-cell battery pack and already had a 90W adapter instead of a "stock" 65W, just for comparison.)  That oughta be able to tote all but the most power-hungry drives, really.

Some vendors (HP is especially strange about this) use interposing connectors (adapters) to allow for easier insertion and extraction of laptop hard drives.  If you need one of these and don't have it, it can turn into an adventure.  Look on the old drive that came out of the second bay and see if you have some strange bit of plastic sticking out of the SATA connector?

Good luck with this adventure! Keep us up on how it's going.

Later ON,
D

[Raimy]

Didn't Raimy already state that he had Windows running on the 750 in this machine?  If so, it will almost certainly take a 500 in the second drive bay.  Still, best way to be sure is to pull down the specs or get tech support to vet for you.

If I were going with a magnetic hard drive (as opposed to an SSD), I'd make sure it was a low-power 7,200 RPM drive.  Since you already have a drive on hand, research it and see what it's power requirements are (most 2.5 in. drives these days don't draw a whole lot of power, but check anyway... better safe than sorry.

The power supply for that Alienware sounds massive!  Most laptop power adapters are not half that capacity.  (I upgraded my D620 to the nine-cell battery pack and already had a 90W adapter instead of a "stock" 65W, just for comparison.)  That oughta be able to tote all but the most power-hungry drives, really.

Some vendors (HP is especially strange about this) use interposing connectors (adapters) to allow for easier insertion and extraction of laptop hard drives.  If you need one of these and don't have it, it can turn into an adventure.  Look on the old drive that came out of the second bay and see if you have some strange bit of plastic sticking out of the SATA connector?

Good luck with this adventure! Keep us up on how it's going.

Later ON,
D

The drive I am looking to use in addition to the 750gb is a 500gb 5400rpm (magnetic) so all should be good with a 180w power adapter, right? And I do have all the connector hardware for the second drive, so I'm good to go there!

[horusfalcon]

{snip:  my previous}

The drive I am looking to use in addition to the 750gb is a 500gb 5400rpm (magnetic) so all should be good with a 180w power adapter, right? And I do have all the connector hardware for the second drive, so I'm good to go there!

Yup!  Sounds like all that remains is to put the pieces together.  Too bad that's a 5400 RPM drive... When you get opportunity and funds, consider replacing it with an SSD (more expensive, but tons faster, and lower power consumption).

Definitely let us know how you fare and if you run into problems post-install.

Later On,
D

[Yankee]

@Raimy

I assume that tech support let's you use any second hard drive.
So go ahead and put it in.

Reply 14 and Reply 23, perhaps reread them.

Do a full install of PCL to drive 2, grub in the MBR of drive 2
only.   When finished reboot, hit F12, drive 1 will give you Windows
and Mint, drive 2 should give you PCL.

If not, post back.

regards,

Y

[Raimy]

{snip:  my previous}

The drive I am looking to use in addition to the 750gb is a 500gb 5400rpm (magnetic) so all should be good with a 180w power adapter, right? And I do have all the connector hardware for the second drive, so I'm good to go there!

Yup!  Sounds like all that remains is to put the pieces together.  Too bad that's a 5400 RPM drive... When you get opportunity and funds, consider replacing it with an SSD (more expensive, but tons faster, and lower power consumption).

Definitely let us know how you fare and if you run into problems post-install.

Later On,
D

Beggars can't be choosers so a 5400 it is. The system itself pretty much dried up my technology related funds so a new hd will have to wait. Instead I get to spend my money on really fun things like the new tires I desperately need!    But maybe one day...

Believe me, if I run into problems you will all definitely be hearing from me. If not for install help then for the help with the sound I'll need after the install!

[Raimy]

@Raimy

I assume that tech support let's you use any second hard drive.
So go ahead and put it in.

Reply 14 and Reply 23, perhaps reread them.

Do a full install of PCL to drive 2, grub in the MBR of drive 2
only.   When finished reboot, hit F12, drive 1 will give you Windows
and Mint, drive 2 should give you PCL.

If not, post back.

regards,

Y

Yeah. I got ahold of them last night and was given the okay so after I go through the 500gb drive one last time to make sure there's nothing on it I want to keep I'll go ahead and put it in. I've got this post bookmarked and will make sure to follow your instructions on Grub.  I should be at that point within the next day or two.

I want to thank all you guys for your help (and patience) with this, I really appreciate it!