By the way here are the IDE devices I will have:

DVD rom
cdrw
30 gig western digital HD for os and apps
80 gig western digital HD for audio

what would be the best configuration (master/slave) for this setup?

I've discussed this in past threads but I'll restate it for you here...the best configuration is this:
Main drive on Primary IDE cable on the first connector(the one closest to the motherboard)..this will be set to Master on the jumper settings...this will be your OS and APP drive. On the same cable put the DVD on the second connector and set it to slave.
Second drive on the Secondary IDE cable on the first connector(the one closest to the motherboard again)set jumper to master...next put the CDRW on the second connector set to Slave.
Putting two hard drives on one cable will cause your system bus to be cut in half as far as bandwidth goes.
Hope that helps
Opus

I had these same questions regarding my system. The problem I ran into is my CD-RW is a Plextor and apparently they don't like to be run as a slave. I contacted Plextor support and they told me to run the CD-RW as a master only, therefore not allowing me to run a harddrive on each seperate controller on the motherboard. I tried to run it as a slave and had problems with my system recognizing the Plextor, it would work as a CD-Rom with no problems though. Maybe somebody could shed some light on this problem?

I think I've found an answer. I'm going to buy 2 ata controller cards and have all 4 devices run as masters off the cards. That way I can disable the motherboard IDE controllers and replace the controllers on the 2 corresponding IRQs. I will be using an asus CUSL2-C mobo with 6 pci slots so with the modem and 2 controller cards installed I will still have 3 slots left to install soundcards. Thinking of either the motu 2408, echo mia, or DAL carddeluxe. Or 3 carddeluxes slaved together.

Whoa dude!!! Be careful with IRQ issues there!! You will most likely have to disable the Com ports..if you arent using the LPT(printer/parellel)port then disable that as well..also if you arent going to use USB disable that too!! With two ATA cards..2 IRQ's..Modem..IRQ..and whatver soundcard you use..each an IRQ..remeber that you really only have like 4 IRQ's to really play with unless you disable and free up some IRQ's from your system.
Also I wouldnt disable your Primary controller..keep that activated and use it for your main drive for the OS and apps...your system will run a hell of a lot smoother! Trust me on this one!!! Let us know and if any q's come up..you know where the place to ask them!!!
Opus

Lithium...I find that hard to believe about what Plextor said...it shouldnt matter..couple of things to try here..one..go into the BIOS and check the IDE config...make sure all devices are set to AUTO!!! Also try new IDE cables and see if that helps. Sometimes the cables cause the issues!
Opus

Thanks Opus 2000, I am going to try some of those tweaks you mentioned. I myself found it hard to believe what Plextor tech support told me, about the CD-RW needing to be master. Hopefully all goes well in my configuration exploits.

hmmm maybe I would be better off saving up some money and purchasing a second computer for just recording... I've looked at wavedigital systems online and they have some nice setups they build for you... but egad the prices!!! I would put one together myself but I'm not sure I could do it as good as they could.

Let me build you one then...contact me via email and we can discuss what you need and so forth and so forth..
opusdaw2k@hotmail.com
Opus

Opus,

I've read that it's not good to have your audio data drive on the same IDE channel as your CD burner because it can choke from too much traffic while burning.

I've also read that the speed of an IDE device (for example an ATA 100 HDD) is limited by the slowest device on that channel (for example a DMA 33 CD drive).

What's your opinion on this? Is this true?

Twist

Why not use a motherboard with an onboard IDE RAID controller. The IDE RAID controllers generally (check the motherboard specs) can be used as regular IDE controllers, they don't have to be used as RAID controllers. This would give you a total of 4 IDE controllers, 2 devices (1 master, 1 slave) on each. Look at the ABIT and ASUS websites...

That was true in Win95 when you couldnt disable Auto Insert Notification..winth Win98 and up you can which stops that myth alltogether..also because you put a drive before the CD or CDR it doesnt go thru it..it's before it and goes directly to the motherboard..
As far as Raid..depends on how many tracks you need to have..if not doing too many stay with regular IDE config..cheaper too in regards to drive purchasing!!!
Opus

EGCC- You are right about being able to use the extra controllers on a raid board as regular ata/100 contollers. I just talked to Asus about their new TUSL2 815E board with onboard raid by Promise which has four contollers on it, and they said you can have raid 0,1, or ata/100. These boards are supposed to be out in a couple of weeks. I have seen several comments about not being able to run raid with 98SE. I have a Promise Fasttrack 100 raid card, and they have instuctions on set-up with 98SE. I also know a person who runs a Promise Fasttrack 100 set to raid O, and has no problems at all. I would like someone to explain their findings as to why raid doesn't work with Windows 98SE.

Opus did you get my email by any chance??

Yes I did get it...I forgot to respond!! Doh!! I'll reply to it today!
Opus :roll: