Possible to reassign HD drive letters?

[6BQ5]

One of my background projects is to upgrade my Megafile 30. Last night I installed a Seagate ST-277R inside the case. I was able to format and partition it using both the Supra and HD Driver tools. The ST-277R has four partitions: C, D, E, and F. Now I want to transfer my files from the original Seagate ST-238R drive to the ST-277R drive. I thought I could configure the ST-238R as drive #2 and the partitions there would automatically become G, H, and I. This didn't happen. HD Driver cannot recognize the existing partitions as additional drive letters. The tool is able to test the sectors on the drive and sees the partitions by themselves but cannot identify the partitions as letters.

 

Is it possible to reassign (or assign?) new drive letters to the partitions on that drive?

 

Otherwise, my plan is to back up the data on the ST-238R, transfer the files myself, and then repartition the drive. I mean, I want to repartition it anyways but I want to transfer the files first.

 

Any thoughts?

 

(BTW, it is pretty cool to think of having a custom Megafile 100. Maybe I'll call it the Megafile 30+ or something like that. If I can find another work ST-277R then I'll have a Megafile 150. Ooooo! )

[anzac]

Have you tried HDD Driver?

[anzac]

Also thought a second drive was only possible on the Megafile 44?

[6BQ5]

Have you tried HDD Driver?

 

No, I only tried HD Driver. Who made HDD Driver?

 

Also thought a second drive was only possible on the Megafile 44?

 

Actually, supposedly it is possible. See this page :

 

http://wiki.newtosworld.de/index.php?title=SH205/Megafile_Umbau_zweites_Laufwerk

 

Google Translate into English :

 

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwiki.newtosworld.de%2Findex.php%3Ftitle%3DSH205%2FMegafile_Umbau_zweites_Laufwerk

 

The limiting factor here seems to be the power supply. Spinning up the drives takes more current than the supply can provide. So, I turn on one and then the other.

 

The HD Driver utility can see the second drive and the partition. I can test the drive for bad sectors too. Only hold-up is the HD Driver startup driver can't recognize the partitions and assign drive letters to them. I have the option to repartition the second drive but I don't want to blow away my data.

[anzac]

If you tried this software:

 

https://www.hddriver.net/en/

 

I cant think of anything better...

 

But could you maybe access using the TOS/GEM install drive in desktop?

[+SoulBuster]

For HDDriver:

 

There is a check box to preserve existing drives. I do not have the software in front of me and I cannot remember where it is at. It is not in the menu, but rather on one of the screens after clicking one of the menu choices under partitions. You need to find that and make sure it is checked. Leave that screen and then do an auto config and see if that helps.

[6BQ5]

For HDDriver:

 

There is a check box to preserve existing drives. I do not have the software in front of me and I cannot remember where it is at. It is not in the menu, but rather on one of the screens after clicking one of the menu choices under partitions. You need to find that and make sure it is checked. Leave that screen and then do an auto config and see if that helps.

Yes! This worked but needs a few extra steps.

 

Select the Auto Configure menu item first. The software will scan the bus and find the drive. A table showing all possible partitions will appears. This is where the Preserve Existing Drives option is located. Click it. My current drive, 0.0, was selected. I added 0.1. Now click OK to get out from all the config screens. Reinstall HDDRIVER to drive C and reboot. The partitions should appear in the string of drive letters shown during start up.

 

From there I added icons to the desktop and copied all my files over from the ST-238R to the ST-277R.

 

Then I reformatted the ST-238R and repartitioned it.

 

So, yes, it is possible but not very clear how to do it. I kind of stumbled into this solution. Oh, and I’m typing this from memory of last night as I eat breakfast. Hopefully I didn’t skip any details.

[+SoulBuster]

Nicely done. I did mention I was not in front of the software. I believe the only thing that checkbox does is leave drives already assigned alone. So if you do not care it is not necessary.

 

But again, nicely done.

[anzac]

Glad to see you made it

[6BQ5]

Thanks!

 

Now that I have two drives connected to the controller I have new challenges and projects ahead of me. These will probably spawn new threads.

 

1) Power supply replacement. The OEM power supply can't provide sufficient current to spin up both drives during a startup. I tried starting both together and the supply whistled, brr'ed, and buzzed upon initial application of power. Once the drives spun up a bit then then the current load went down and everything was fine. Ideally I need a new power supply. The 12V line should supply a minimum of 4A and the 5V supply should supply a minimum of 2A. The manual for the ST-277R has plots showing the startup currents. Look at the last sheet in this PDF :

 

http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/manuals/Seagate/Seagate%20ST251%20ST251R%20ST277R%20-%20Product%20Manual%20-%20Feb87.pdf

 

2) Cables. I used a long vintage floppy cable and a long vintage data cable and it's hardly ideal. The spacing of the connectors is huge so I have long loops of cable. I'm thinking I will need to purchase spool of ribbon cable and a handful of connectors to make my own cables.

 

3) Fit. As the configuration is now the second drive will not fit in the drive. The LED post and power supply will interfere with the drive. I think if I remove/relocate the post and change the power supply then both drives will fit. Modern supplies are small so I may be able to keep it internal. Otherwise, I will have to use an external supply and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

 

4) Cooling. One drive is warm. Two drives are very warm! I have to replace the little dinky fan in the rear of the case to get more air flow.

 

Edit : I forgot to attach a picture showing my two drives together.

Edited March 6, 2019 by 6BQ5

[+SoulBuster]

I have read some posts that use 2 3.5 drives. Very hard to find. I am not sure what you are going to do with 2 5.25 drives.

 

You may need to have one sit external to the case. That means case modification. I hate to see that.

 

I am not at home right now but are there vents in the top case that the cable can fit through? If there are, you could build one end of the cable after pushing it through a vent. If that could happen you would not have to modify the case, you would only need to figure out how to secure it to the top of the case. For this you would probably want your longer cables.