We have received a large number of Dell OptiPlex GXa Pentium II, 333 MHz,
mini-towers.  These are configured with 64 MB of RAM, one 4.3 GB hard drive
on one controller and a CD-ROM on the other controller.  One of our users
would like to add a sizable amount of hard drive space to that
configuration.  One idea was to put three 8 GB drives (replacing the
original 4.3 GB drive).  The other was to add two 14 GB drives in addition
to the original drive.  Although there is only real space for two internal
drives we're getting a bracket kit so we can put the third drive in one of
the free 5.25" bays.  All these computers will be running Windows 95 OSR
2.1 and we will be using FAT32 to format all the drives.  By the way, we've
decided on IBM Deskstar drives, either the 8 ,capacity 8.4 GB, or the 14GX
,capacity 14 GB (and IBM has even announced a 16 GB one)

Is anybody aware of any problems in putting all those drives in that tower?
Although it appears they can physically fit in there one concern we have is
the amount of heat that may be generated.  How about the thought of one
partition per disk?

Now some of you may wonder why all this space is needed.  We don't know.
Our user has decided that he needs it and we're not in a position to argue.
Also, some things we've already tried to suggest and fail:  1.  Run NT -
shot down  2.  Get SCSI drive - shot down, too expensive.

Any information would be appreciated.


Oscar Ricardo Silva
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