Hard Drive jumpers?

[Ric101]

hi

I recently got a new hard drive, and I noticed that the jumper has a block attached to it, from what I know is that block limits the data rate to 1.5gbs,. All I want to know is, if I remove it will it give me 3gbs data rate or not, and whether or not it will do my computer any harm.

 

[Triple6]

Do you know if your motherboard supports SATA 3GB/s? What motherboard do you have? On some older motherboards that only support SATA 1.5Gb/s the drive may not be detected and thats about the worst that can happen.

But be aware those jumpers can do more then just specify the data rate. You should check the documentation of the drive.

 

[Ric101]

i know that my motherboard supports 3gb/s, I just need some assurence, what other things does those jumpers do, my hard drive didn't even come with any documents (or even a box), it came in a bag with bubble wrap. bought it from ebuyer. It also a seagate hard drive by the way

 

[win2kpro]

The jumper does nothing but limit the data rate.

 

[Triple6]

There would be documentation you can find on the manufacturer's website.

A jumper can also be used to delay the spin up, set spread spectrum settings, and a few other things on certain SATA drives. It depends on what pins the jumper is on.

 

[crjdriver]

I agree you need to read the documentation on the drive maker's site. As an example the WD raptors have about 3 jumper settings on the back of the drive for various things.

 

[win2kpro]

I may be very wrong, but Seagate (which the poster said he had) only indicates that the jumper is used to limit data transfer. Maxtor on the other hand indicates that jumpers can be used for delay spin and to force the data transfer limitation.

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/installation_assistance/jumper_setting_illustrations/sata/

 

[crjdriver]

Right, I did not see the seagate drive. It is what I get for reading too quickly.

 

[Triple6]

Yup, I didn't see that in his last post either. But if the jumper is placed onto the other two pins I'm not sure what it would do if anything, odd there'd be more pins if they didn't serve some purpose...