Jump to content

Looking for temporary solutions to failed EIDE


oldwierdal
 Share

Recommended Posts

My desktop computer slowly developed problems with the PATA/EIDE ports on the motherboard. Long in developing, and intermittant in nature, by the time I realized just what the problem was, my computer was finally rendered useless in its present state. For very short periods, I was able to boot to my rescue disk, and recover some valuable files from it, but that's about it. So..... I'm exploring options. Here are some givens;

I am experiencing extremely limited cash flow at this point.

I have successfully installed Mandriva 2008 Spring, dual boot, on my company laptop, from which I am posting this, using the Mandriva partition. WinXP Professional on the other partition for work.

I really want to move away from using the company laptop for my personal use expeditiously. It is not panic-time, yet. But, I really want to get going on this piece of the problem.

I believe that the rest of the desktop computer, i.e. cpu, etc. is still functional, as far as I can tell at this point.

 

I have explored the possibility of getting a PATA/EIDE > USB external drive caddy which I could use with the company laptop. This is a viable option, yet it still involves using the company laptop for personal use. As I've said, I really want to avoid this.

 

I have also explored the possibility of getting a pci/EIDE card to plug my hard drives and CD/DVD drive into on my desktop. The question I have with this option is, would the pci/EIDE drives boot if the motherboard PATA/EIDE connections are totally inoperative?

 

I have also explored the possibility of getting a motherboard, motherboard/cpu combo, and a bare-bones box.

 

The cost of a pci/EIDE card would be the least expensive option, IF it would work.

The costs of either a motherboard, motherboard/cpu combo, or a bare-bones box are very close, and are do-able, if the pci/EIDE card option is not possible.

The cost of the PATA/EIDE > USB external drive caddy is also close to that of a pci/EIDE card.

 

Does anyone have any experience or knowlege on this? I'd appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

owa

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The question I have with this option is, would the pci/EIDE drives boot if the motherboard PATA/EIDE connections are totally inoperative?
That is doable, I ran Linux from one for many years but the EIDE problem may be just a symptom of more serious motherboard problems.

If I was in your boots I'd go for the new motherboard or the bare bones box.

 

Ken

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...