Probably a dumb question about RAID

[Monstermile]

I know what RAID is but never used it. But my qestion is if you don't plan to use RAID array, can the slots be used as regular IDE channels instead of using a master and slave on the primary and secondary IDE channels??

[Mickwish]

Yes, you can use them instead or as well as. So you can have more than the usual 4 IDE devices without an extra IDE card.

Not a dumb question. Dumb ones are the ones you don't ask.

Cheers
Mick

[Atomic Rooster]

Yes they can be used as regular IDE connectors. But usually only with HDD's. CD drives tend to have problems when connected the IDE3 and IDE4 connectors.

Edit: Here's a little more info on using the IDE3 and 4 connectors. This comes from the KT7A-RAID Faq.
Make sure that the Highpoint controller is enabled in the Integrated Peripherals screen of the BIOS. In order to boot off a disk connected to the Highpoint controller, use the RAID option as the boot device in the Advanced BIOS Features Setup menu of the BIOS. Don't worry about the word RAID - selecting this does not enable RAID

[Urban_Squrill]

I never knew that I will have to tell my friend about that he wanted to know that too.

[Monstermile]

Thanks for the quick responses.

Atomic Rooster: What kind of problems exactly with CD drives on the 3 and 4 channel??

[Telexen]

Most of them will just have problems detecting...there could be more "colorful" and strange errors depending on CDROM and card.

[Atomic Rooster]

Typically they are not recognized correctly and will not read nor burn properly.

[Monstermile]

Thanks