how can you have more than two dvd roms (optical drives) ?

[supernugs]

i was goin through and looking at the IDE cables and noticed not one one had more than two connectors. i wanted to put more optical drives in my machine so i dont have to switch so many game cds to avoid scratchin; i have the room, so why/how not?

[sironomus]

most(all?) systems that do this use a SATA connection rather than IDE

[supernugs]

would that be more efficient? in any way?

[Buzzard44]

If you've got some hard drive space, you can use a program like Alcohol 120% (trial version of which is a free download) to make images of your discs. The image is a copy of your disc that is stored on your hard drive, therefore avoiding any scratching. Using daemon tools lite (which is a free download) you can "mount" the image, which makes your computer think there is another disc drive with the disc of your choosing in it.

I use this system to back up all my discs, keep them from getting scratched, and not have to physically search for discs every time I want to play a game. Given the low cost/GB of today's hard drives, it's much cheaper than burning backups to DVDs.

[Meadows]

would that be more efficient? in any way?

Yes, space-wise.
Compact cables, much less room needed. You can have as many optical drives as you like if you use SATA as well as IDE (no need to drop that one until motherboards stop supporting it).

[supernugs]

would that be more efficient? in any way?

Yes, space-wise.
Compact cables, much less room needed. You can have as many optical drives as you like if you use SATA as well as IDE (no need to drop that one until motherboards stop supporting it).

how would this connect? i dont see any SATA connection on any of the optical drives I have

[kvndoom]

would that be more efficient? in any way?

Yes, space-wise.
Compact cables, much less room needed. You can have as many optical drives as you like if you use SATA as well as IDE (no need to drop that one until motherboards stop supporting it).

how would this connect? i dont see any SATA connection on any of the optical drives I have

You'll have to buy new drives that support SATA.

They aren't at all expensive anymore: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... gesize=100

[ModernPrimitive]

How old is your mainboard ? Does it have SATA connectors on the board ? Sorry if i missed something in a previous post. Most newer boards that have SATA support only have 1 IDE connector on them so you either have SATA hard drives and 2 opticals on the single IDE connector or 2 IDE's for hard drives and opticals. Hope im making sense. I'm at home with the flu.

[just brew it!]

IDE ports can handle at most 2 devices at once, that is why there are only 2 connectors on the cables.

As others have noted, your best bet is to go with SATA drives if your motherboard has SATA ports. If you don't have SATA ports, you can still add one more DVD drive to the IDE cable that has your hard drive on it (unless you've already got 2 hard drives).

Another option would be to just handle your discs more carefully and always put them away when not in use...

[Forge]

Don't put CD/DVD drives on the same cable as your HDDs. Just buy cheap-o IDE cards.

A better long term solution is ripping and mounting images.

[emorgoch]

If you've got some hard drive space, you can use a program like Alcohol 120% (trial version of which is a free download) to make images of your discs. The image is a copy of your disc that is stored on your hard drive, therefore avoiding any scratching. Using daemon tools lite (which is a free download) you can "mount" the image, which makes your computer think there is another disc drive with the disc of your choosing in it.

I use this system to back up all my discs, keep them from getting scratched, and not have to physically search for discs every time I want to play a game. Given the low cost/GB of today's hard drives, it's much cheaper than burning backups to DVDs.

I stopped fighting with Alcohol about 2 years ago. It was great when it worked, but I was tired of the constant cat and mouse game with secureROM, and having none of my images on new games actually work.

As for the OPs original request, no, you can't have more than 2 devices (DVD-Drives / Hard Drives) on a single IDE connection. If you're out of IDE ports, you'll need to get an IDE controller card to provide additional ports you can plug drives into. However, if you're going that route, I'd get a SATA controller card to add the additional ports.

[supernugs]

Awesome! sorry i need to be more clear on what im runnin. ill update my profile later.

intel core i5 2.6-3.0ghz
4GB DDR3
640GB 7200rpm HD
8500GT
(im embarrassed to even mention it)

so i got what i need to do SATA but i had no idea that DVD drives used SATA connections; my last optical is fairly new and doesnt have SATA connection, its LG brand.

So what program is like this "ALCOHOL 120%" that works well?

[Scrotos]

SATA DVD drives: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... rder=PRICE

You can probably get them for $40 or under at Best Buy or other local stores. When looking on Newegg the burners were about $5 more than the single in-stock reader, so might as well just get additional burners.

[notfred]

FYI watch out if you pick up an LG GH22NS50. The default firmware mine came with had a stupid function that made it look like there was a disk with drivers on it present when the drawer was closed and no disk present - very annoying. Fortunately there is a firmware upgrade to remove that bit of idiocy: http://www.lge.com/us/support/product/s ... e=GH22NS50 after that it's a nice drive.

[DrDillyBar]

I've been using Alcohol 52% for many years now.

[supernugs]

alcohol has not been able to work for me, every game tells me i need the original cd and wont even work with dvds

[emi25]

Use MagicDisk
http://www.magiciso.com/tutorials/miso- ... erview.htm

Use mount option to load an iso file.

[FireGryphon]

I've been using Alcohol 52% for many years now.

Sissy.