NickLock question

[ragtop]

I bought one of the Nicklock hard drive switches from newegg, but didn't see the fine print that indicates that it won't work with one WD and one non-WD drive. Their website indicates that they will soon be offering some type of adapter to allow this configuration to work.

IS anyone familiar with this issue, and is there a way to work around it??

[Mickwish]

I got one of these a long time ago. Depends on the drive, basically. It just needs to attach to the jumpers. So drives with different size jumpers need a different connector. You could just strip the wires and connect them onto the metal parts of the jumpers from any kind of drive, if the jumpers won't fit. Only needs a brief connection whilst booting, so doesnt need to be that robust. As long as it doesn't short out on anything else.

I don't use mine anymore, as I only used it whan I had a single system and wanted to keep the kids off my stuff. they have their own systems now, so no use for it anymore.

But it's a cool device. Just realise you can't get data off the second drive that's not booted from, as it's not initialised at all in the BIOS. NickLock only boots one drive at a time.

Cheers
Mick

[ragtop]

Actually, the issue isn't that the jumpers won't fit, but rather that the current WD drives use a different jumper convention than most other drives. (According to the Nicklock website most use the master jumper to determine the master drive, but for some reason, WD uses the slave jumper to determine the master drive??)

If you have WD drives, you put the Nicklock jumpers on the slave position - any other brand you put them on the master position. If you have one WD and one "other brand", apparently it doesn't work.

No matter how I set up the jumpers, it either makes the WD drive master, or it won't detect either drive.

[Mickwish]

Never come across that issue, sorry. Must be specific to WD drives.

No real thoughts, except get another drive.

Not much help, eh?

What kind of adapter do they offer?

Cheers
Mick

[ragtop]

Originally posted by Mickwish
What kind of adapter do they offer?

Thats the problem - they say they'll offer it in the future (its apparently not available yet)

[Mickwish]

Since NickLock was originally made in Europe somewhere I think, I wonder who will develop such an adapter?

No workaround I can think of except changing drives. Sorry.

Cheers
Mick

[ragtop]

Thanks anyway Mick. Maybe I'll pick up a new Maxtor & sell off the WD on the traders forum.

[Mickwish]

Just found a nice review of the Nicklock by Dan. Doesn't help your problem, but might explain to others how this device works.

Cheers
Mick

[ragtop]

I resolved my problem by using a small DPDT switch and some wiring I pulled out of an old case (the plugs from the switches and LED's that connect to your MB are the same size as the typical HDD jumper).

I connected jumpers to both master and slave position on each hard drive, and viola - flip switch to the left & you have WIN 98, flip it to the right and you have WIN XP. Its not as secure as the key switch that comes with the Nicklock, but I hid the switch on the back of the case, so the kids aren't likely to find it.

This arrangement will work fine for me - and its cheaper than the NickLock ($3 vs $20). Unfortunately I already panted the Nicklock to match my case so I can't return it.