Determining Your Existing Ide Configuration - TDK DVW-A020106 Manual

Determining your existing IDE configuration

A computer is usually equipped with a primary and a secondary IDE* (ATAPI*) interface*
connector. A maximum of two internal IDE* devices can be connected to each of these
connectors (e.g. a hard disk* and a CD-ROM drive). In total, therefore, a maximum of four IDE*
devices can be connected to the computer. As a rule, the computer's hard disk* drive will be
connected to the primary and a CD-ROM drive to the secondary IDE* connector. Please consult
your computer's manual or the motherboard* handbook to locate and identify these connectors
in your computer.
The drives connected to each of these IDE* connectors must be correctly configured for the
computer to operate properly. This is achieved by ensuring the appropriate MASTER*/SLAVE*
(jumper) setting on each device. For instance, your computer's hard disk* drive will usually be
connected to the primary IDE* connector with a MASTER* setting. A second device connected
to the same IDE* connector should be set to SLAVE*. However, you are strongly recommended
to connect your TDK DVD-R/RW writer to the secondary IDE* connector with a MASTER*
setting. Should you wish to connect a second device (e.g. a CD-ROM or a further hard disk*
drive) to the same connector, the device should be set to SLAVE*.
You will need to open your computer (refer to previous page for further details) to determine its
existing IDE* configuration (also see "How to install your TDK DVD-R/RW writer", for further
orientation). You will need to identify which device(s) the 40-pin IDE* ribbon cable(s) is
connected to and, if more than one device is connected, in which capacity (i.e. as master* or
slave*).
One end of an IDE* cable is connected to a port* on the computer's motherboard*; and the
other end is connected to one or two internal peripheral devices (such as a hard disk* or CD-
ROM drive). If there are two devices, one is considered the master* and the other the slave*. If
there are two 40-pin IDE* ribbon cables and thus two IDE* ports, one is for the primary IDE*
data bus* and the other for the secondary IDE* data bus*.
One of the following IDE* configurations will normally apply to a typical computer:
• Two hard disks* connected to the primary IDE* port* as master* and slave* devices;
• CD-ROM drive connected to the secondary IDE* port* as the master* device;
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