Can you configure two hard disks to use the Master setting on the same PC?

Answer 1

Yes, as long as you're using a ATA controller for them. This procedure will not work, nor is required, on SATA disks, since each SATA disk is automatically the master of that channel to which it is connected. SATA cables are thin and have small connectors, while ATA (IDE/EIDE) cables are wide and have big connectors (40-pin headers).

Power down the computer. In order to configure both (E)IDE disks for the Master role, unplug all (E)IDE devices (this can include CD-ROMs, ZIP drives etc.). You will need to configure each disk to be a Master, and since only one (1) Master can exist on a given channel, a maximum of two (2) Masters can be configured, each on a different channel.

Locate a set of jumpers on the rear side of the disk (the connector side). On top of the disk drive will be a quick technical specification on how to set these jumpers in order for the disk to become a Master (I cannot provide a general 'rule of thumb' since each hard drive manufacturer uses different configurations). The disk will already be in any one configuration shown on the specification, and this should help you orient the reference picture properly.

Answer 2

Yes, as long as you're using a ATA controller for them. This procedure will not work, nor is required, on SATA disks, since each SATA disk is automatically the master of that channel to which it is connected. SATA cables are thin and have small connectors, while ATA (IDE/EIDE) cables are wide and have big connectors (40-pin headers).

Power down the computer. In order to configure both (E)IDE disks for the Master role, unplug all (E)IDE devices (this can include CD-ROMs, ZIP drives etc.). You will need to configure each disk to be a Master, and since only one (1) Master can exist on a given channel, a maximum of two (2) Masters can be configured, each on a different channel.

Locate a set of jumpers on the rear side of the disk (the connector side). On top of the disk drive will be a quick technical specification on how to set these jumpers in order for the disk to become a Master (I cannot provide a general 'rule of thumb' since each hard drive manufacturer uses different configurations). The disk will already be in any one configuration shown on the specification, and this should help you orient the reference picture properly.

After setting the hard drives to be Masters, connect them to the PC - each one on its own strip. It is now time to reconfigure other (E)IDE devices to conform to this configuration. In general, each (E)IDE device will have a set of jumpers just like the hard disks do, and most will have a reference image printed somewhere on them to aid in master/slave/cable-select configuration. The rule of thumb for CD and DVD devices, however, is to set the jumper on the middle two pins, vertically (it's typically Master, Slave, Cable-Select read right-to-left).

Once the configuration of Slave devices is complete, they too can be reconnected to the PC's motherboard and power.

The last step is to power the PC up and configure the BIOS by entering its SETUP program. To do so, on the start-up screen find a text that says "Hit [key] to enter SETUP" or something similar, and hit that key (it may be required to hit [Esc] prior to that if you have the Full Screen Logo feature present and enabled). Once within SETUP, an inspection of the Basic Settings configuration is prudent. This is to make sure that the previous configuration wasn't pre-set to the previous physical configuration (it speeds up the start-up process). If in doubt, set all devices and their modes to "Auto". Usually there will be a short, somewhat-helpful description of a setting somewhere on the screen.