Make a "Special" primary cable?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steve Z.
  • Start date Start date
S

Steve Z.

Here's what I'm doing. In the past, I've always had 2 different OS on
2 different HDs. I toggle the power on and off between the 2 HDs,
rebooting of course, in between. I guess the older BIOS would simply
look for a primary slave or secondary primary or slave when the
"primary master" wasn't available (because the power is off)
Worked like a charm on a few different computers over the
years. NOW, seems like the newer BIOS is too smart for this
arrangement, hence all sorts of grief.
MY QUESTION: Can I make a special primary cable with 2
"end" connectors? I'm thinking that if I hook up 2 identical HDs with
different OS's, set each as master, and toggle the power on and off
between them, should be OK. Upon reboot, the system would just see
the same HD as before.
So, can a cable like this be had, or made myself??
Thanks, Steve
 
"Steve Z.
Here's what I'm doing. In the past, I've always had 2 different OS on
2 different HDs. I toggle the power on and off between the 2 HDs,
rebooting of course, in between. I guess the older BIOS would simply
look for a primary slave or secondary primary or slave when the
"primary master" wasn't available (because the power is off)
Worked like a charm on a few different computers over the
years. NOW, seems like the newer BIOS is too smart for this
arrangement, hence all sorts of grief.
MY QUESTION: Can I make a special primary cable with 2
"end" connectors? I'm thinking that if I hook up 2 identical HDs with
different OS's, set each as master, and toggle the power on and off
between them, should be OK. Upon reboot, the system would just see
the same HD as before.
So, can a cable like this be had, or made myself??
Thanks, Steve
Click to expand...

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/drives/6550/
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/howto/story/0,24330,3425846,00.html
http://www.dansdata.com/nicklock.htm
 
Steve Z. @optonline.com> said:
Here's what I'm doing. In the past, I've always had 2 different OS on
2 different HDs. I toggle the power on and off between the 2 HDs,
rebooting of course, in between. I guess the older BIOS would simply
look for a primary slave or secondary primary or slave when the
"primary master" wasn't available (because the power is off)
Worked like a charm on a few different computers over the
years. NOW, seems like the newer BIOS is too smart for this
arrangement, hence all sorts of grief.
MY QUESTION: Can I make a special primary cable with 2
"end" connectors? I'm thinking that if I hook up 2 identical HDs with
different OS's, set each as master, and toggle the power on and off
between them, should be OK. Upon reboot, the system would just see
the same HD as before.
So, can a cable like this be had, or made myself??
Thanks, Steve
Click to expand...

Another method I've used . Same basic idea using identical drives;
but bring out the drive select jumpers on header wires to a "switch
of choice" ; and use the switch to select the drive and OS by
changing master and slave designations.
 
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