David,

Yes, even with IDE, the BIOS typically controls which devices it sees, 
and sets the boot order. Note that the boot order only sets the order 
the BIOS searches for a valid boot device. It does not set any drive 
letter mapping in XP.

SATA is just a different interface for the disk to connect to the 
controller (usually on the MB). Aside from this, there is really no 
difference between IDE and SATA.

In XP, the disk management utility can be used to set the actual drive 
letters on the drives.

Russ Poffenberger
[log in to unmask]

David Nager wrote:
> Hi Russ,
> So it's all set in bios / Computer Management with XP ie. Which drive it
> boots from and drive letters ?
> Dave
>
> ------------------------------------
> David Nager
> [log in to unmask]
> Carleton, MI
> mobile: 734 755-8706
> IM: dvd_nager (AOL), earledrive (MSN)
> ------------------------------------
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Russ Poffenberger
> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 1:53 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Hard drive help-round 2
>
>
> Hi David,
>
> No, master/slave does not apply to SATA drives. SATA are strictly one 
> connector, one drive, there is no way to daisy chain them.
>
> Russ Poffenberger
> [log in to unmask]
>   

         PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download
                     visit our download web page at:
                  http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml