NAME THAT SWITCH!

[CincyJim]

One motherboard (IDE/PATA) and 4 0r 5 Hard Drives (IDE/PATA); What switch can select the HD for active use? WITH the others connected but OFF.

Step 1) Switch to the preferred HD
Step 2) Turn on cornputer (motherboard)

Step 3) Turn cornputer off & switch to another HD
Step 4) Turn on cornputer (motherboard)

Step 5) Do this to infinity, just to play with XP, 7, and Linux

[Train]

Boot order in Bios is what I used.
But now I use the temp boot order to select hdd or USB.

F11 and F12 are 2 keys used depending on the motherboard. F10 I read is another key used.

[CincyJim]

Boot order in Bios is what I used. ... ... .

I had a separate physical SWITCH in mind. I used one 5-10 years (or more) ago. It was a bit of a PITA to solder the cable wires to/from the switch , but it worked.


Perhaps PRAYER for this atheist will due the job ???

Oh, well; on to the next time-taker.

[dneilson]

Have you tried what Train suggested? +

[CincyJim]

Have you tried what Train suggested? +

Nope, not yet.

[SpywareDr]

Make a Dual-Boot IDE Cable

?

[Train]

You might be able to find a "Romtec Trios IDE Hard Drive Selector"

But I found the quick boot selector easier to deal wirh.

[dneilson]

I once had and used a Romtec Trios IDE Hard Drive Selector (may still be in my tech/stuff./junk closet)--used it for years and it worked fine with no problems. I now use Train's method and overall it's much easier.