USB Drives

You are limited to 4 IDE drives. Are there any limitations in the
number of USB drives?

"Fan924" wrote in message
...
| You are limited to 4 IDE drives. Are there any limitations in the
| number of USB drives?

USB is limited by the number of physically connected devices [root and
subs], when the shared frequency and voltage are exceeded. These are shared
by the devices directly connected to the *main* connectors.
The number of connectors per motherboard or device extends this, such as
having 4 instead of two but only if the motherboard actually supplies extra
rather than splitting between the 4 connectors. Using powered hubs extends
that capability by not using the motherboard supplied, but by creating its
own and passing that back to the computer.

http://noccc.org/bytes/articles/v01/326.html - USB Explained: Is the
Universal Serial Bus for You?

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
--
_________

Sorry, posted that before delving into the data base very far.

Here's a exploration into USB and configurations [though via Linux].

http://www.alleft.com/projects/lj_hydra.shtml - Project: Hydra the USB
Multiheaded Monster

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
--
_________

I do not have to give up an IDE drive to add a USB drive? Correct?

Correct. I have tons of both.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"Fan924" wrote in message
...
I do not have to give up an IDE drive to add a USB drive? Correct?

"Fan924" wrote in message
...
You are limited to 4 IDE drives. Are there any limitations in the
number of USB drives?

Who said? I've seen BIOS's that support 8. And I've seen setups with
over 16 drives, with multiple cards...

"Mike Y" wrote in message ...

"Fan924" wrote in message
...
You are limited to 4 IDE drives. Are there any limitations in the
number of USB drives?

Who said? I've seen BIOS's that support 8. And I've seen setups with
over 16 drives, with multiple cards...





Just curious, you've seen mobos with more than 2 IDE controller connections or are
you talking about Daisy Chaining? Of course as well, more than 4 can be used with
Add-on cards which have their own BIOS, but I haven't seen a mobo that had more than
2 IDE controllers and it would be risky IMHO to use a Ribbon Data cable with more
than two IDE drive connectors.


--


Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

"Fan924" wrote in message
...
You are limited to 4 IDE drives. Are there any limitations in the
number of USB drives?

You are limited to 2 ide ports per onboard ide interface chip. Each port
can handle two hard drives.

A few mobo makers added an aftermarket ide interface chip for more in some
cases.

An ide inteface card may be added having 2 ide ports as well.

Did not use the word "controller" as in the case of ide, its located on the
ide drive itself.

One realistic limitation of many online USB hard drives is usability. You
are limited to the number of drive letters for designating a partitions.
Another is if a self-powered version. In the real world, most people tax
out the PC at 3 or 4 USB drives online at the same time. Have heard
declarations of up to 12 in use simultaneously online.

--
Dave

Brian A. wrote:

"Mike Y" wrote:


"Fan924" wrote:

You are limited to 4 IDE drives. Are there any limitations in the
number of USB drives?

Who said? I've seen BIOS's that support 8. And I've seen setups with
over 16 drives, with multiple cards...


Just curious, you've seen mobos with more than 2 IDE controller
connections or are you talking about Daisy Chaining? Of course as well,
more than 4 can be used with Add-on cards which have their own BIOS, but
I haven't seen a mobo that had more than 2 IDE controllers and it would
be risky IMHO to use a Ribbon Data cable with more than two IDE drive
connectors.


What /Lil' Dave/ posted.

Example-pictures (A7V333 RAID):
http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1028579813qby1Orpcol_1_2_l.jpg
connectors closeup:
http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1028579813qby1Orpcol_2_13_l.jpg

Can be used for HDD's ordinarily without RAIDing them.


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Thanks for the info.