What name of screwdriver?

What a Marvelous person!

You have described a 4-pin Peripheral power cable, ('P6'),

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#peripheral

An IDE harddrive, of which the 4-pin Peripheral power cable example, is plugged into.
Another look at an IDE (PATA) harddrive,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136096

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_ATA

However, I do not know if the flat IDE ribbon cable marked Slave, goes to a secondary Harddrive, or an optical drive. (CD/DVD drive)

Either way the point is moot. BOTH of those 'squarish flat black' units, HAVE a 4-pin Peripheral power cable to them.
Another hardware component, those type of power wires CAN go to, is a computer case fan.

However not ALL power cables have to be used. Sometimes there are extra ones. These are in case they are need later.

To summarize;
The optical drive, or drives; that you put a CD, or DVD disk in; can use a 4-pin Peripheral power cable.
(IDE/PATA optical drive)

Harddrive's can use a 4-pin Peripheral power cable.
(IDE/PATA harddrive)

A computer case fan may use a 4-pin Peripheral power cable.

Or the 4-pin Peripheral power cable you see, may simply be an extra one. One if needed in the future.

The eMachines T2245 uses a Trigem (Manufacturer), Imperial GLVE (Model name), motherboard,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Emachines-Imperial-GL-VE-20021218-Motherboard-Socket-478-System-Board-/121098707716?pt=Motherboards&hash=item1c320ba304

Supports an IDE (PATA) harddrive, (Or 2 of them)
Supports an IDE (PATA) optical drive, (or two of them)

I DO hope you are following Anti-Static Procedures!

Your body carries Static electricity. Static WILL fry out (Short Circuit), the delicate hardware components inside a computer.
Relieve your body of Static, BEFORE reaching inside your computer.

Computer on a table, computer Unplugged from power, computer case open;
TOUCH an unpainted surface, of the metal frame of the open, empty computer case.
This action will relieve your body of Static.

IF, you leave your computer in the middle of working on it, be SURE to Touch the metal frame again upon your return.

Also I would like to add;

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Anatomy-of-a-Hard-Disk-Drive/177

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Anatomy-of-an-Optical-Drive/179

For additional questions please post in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

Schematic

The eMachines T6532 uses an MSI MS-7207 motherboard.
Also known as the KN8GM2-L,

http://www.msi.com/product/mb/K8NGM2-FID--IL--L.html

[ http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130041 ]

The MSI motherboard has provisions for using, EITHER an
IDE (PATA) harddrive, or a SATA harddrive. (Or more than one)

Two different technologies.
I will explain both, using an IDE (PATA) harddrive,
OR;
Using a SATA harddrive;

On the MSI Support page above, click on the Download tab.
(Overview / Specifications / Download / Support / etc)

In the drop down list click on - Manual

Language > English > 7.1MB > E7207v2.0.zip
Click on the blue E7207v2.0.zip

On the next page click on the country name nearest yours.
A small window will come up -
Opening E7207v2.0.zip

Make SURE there is a Green dot in the small circle, to the left of Save File.
IF not; Left-click in the small circle to the left of Save File.
Now go below in the small window, and click on OK

A small download window will come up. Allow the file to download ALL the way, then DOUBLE-click right on it.

In the next small window go to the far left, and click on -
Extract all files.

At the bottom of the next 3 small windows, click on -
Next, Next, and Finish.

In the last small window DOUBLE-click right on the file name.
(7207v2.0(G52-M7207X5) next to the red Adobe PDF icon)

There is the Motherboard Manual

The MS-7207 has two IDE slots;

IDE 1, which is Yellow in color, and close to the outside edge of the motherboard.
Should have IDE 1 silkscreened on the motherboard, below it.

IDE 2 is Yellow in color also, and right next to IDE 1.

(IDE 2 is in-between IDE 1 and the Ram Memory slots.
The Purple, Slot 4, ram memory slot to be specific. {DIMM 4 )

IDE 1 is used for an IDE harddrive.
IDE 2 is used for an IDE optical drive.

TWO IDE harddrives can be put on a single flat ribbon IDE cable,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ATA_cables.jpg

NOTE that there are two styles of IDE flat ribbon cables;
40-wire cable,
OR;
80-wire cable.

BOTH have 40 socket holes in their connectors.
(ONLY 39 are used, so one hole May, or May Not be blocked off)

How to connect to a 40-wire IDE cable, or an 80-wire IDE cable,

http://www.mikeshardware.com/howtos/howto_connect_ide_hd.html

An IDE cable usually has a Locating Lug on it's connectors, in the middle of the connector; and on one side,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PATA-cable.jpg

Here you see the Locating Lug as being two separate 'ridges'.
Some styles the Locating Lug is single block.

The motherboard connector has a matching Cutout on one side.
The Locating Lug lines up with the cutout when installing the cable.

The Harddrive, and optical drive (CD/DVD drive), will have a cutout on their circuit boards.

There are 40-pins. (Only 39 are used if so)
One of them is the number 1 pin.
The IDE cables are plugged into the motherboard, with number 1 pin lining up with number 1 wire, in the IDE cable.

Same when the IDE cable is plugged into a Harddrive, or optical drive.

IF, there is no Locating Lug on the IDE cable;
Look for the faint RED stripe, on the side of the IDE cable.
Number 1 wire is on the same side, as the faint Red stripe.

When plugging into a motherboard, Number 1 pin is on the Bottom.
The faint red stripe on the cable, goes towards the BOTTOM of the motherboard.
(Motherboard installed in computer case)

When plugging into a Harddrive, or optical drive; the faint red stripe ALWAYS goes toward the power cable,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#peripheral

This shows you the Back of an IDE (PATA) harddrive, and the power cable used for it.
If -> No Locating Lug on IDE cable, the faint Red stripe goes towards the power cable.

This is a 4-pin standard Peripheral power cable.
Note when installing the rounded corners ALWAYS goes UP.

[This power cable is frequently, and erroneously; referred to as a 'Molex' power cable.
Molex was just the first manufacturer of the power cable CONNECTOR. Name STUCK.

Kind of like calling an adjustable open-end wrench, a 'Crescent wrench ]

A SATA power cable is used for a SATA harddrive, or SATA optical drive,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#sata

There is an L-shape in the SATA power cable's connector.
It matches an L-shape on the Harddrive, or optical drive.

Between a SATA power cable's connector, and a SATA data cable's connector; a SATA power cable connector is the LARGER of the two.
A SATA power cable has 15-contact pins.
A SATA data cable has 7-contact pins.

A SATA power cable's connector may have a LOCK on it.
Usually a Tab, or 'bulb' type affair.
It is pressed down with the thumb when installing, or removing the SATA power cable.

This is a general example of a SATA data cable,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SATA_Data_Cable.jpg

Now you can see the L-shaped opening a little better, that both the SATA data cable have, and the SATA power cable, has.

In the photo the SATA data cable's connector, is a 90 degree bent Elbow.
This style of connector is usually used on the Harddrive, or on the optical drive.

A Straight connector style is usually used for the Motherboard.
However, you can use a SATA data cable, that has a Straight connector on both ends.

Looking at your motherboard, installed in a computer case; there are 2 SATA connectors on the motherboard.

(CAN, be up to FOUR)

I see one motherboard reference where they (2) are Orange in color, (Newegg), and the motherboard manual shows them (2) to be Purple in color.

They are located towards the Bottom/Right corner of the motherboard.
Above the CMOS battery.

The SATA connector that is closest to the Outside edge of the motherboard, is SATA1 (SATA 1)

The Harddrive plugs into SATA 1.

An optical drive that is SATA, will plug into the SATA2 connector.
To the Left of the SATA1 connector.

KNOW THIS;

DOES NOT MATTER, which SATA connector you plug the Harddrive, or optical drive; into.

The beauty of SATA, is that you can plug the Harddrive or optical drive into ANY SATA connector, (On ANY motherboard), and BIOS will find those devices.

BIOS looks FIRST, to see which drive has the Operating System on it. (Windows)
THAT, is the Harddrive.

After finding the drive with the O/S on it, then BIOS will find all the other drives. Removable, or not.

So there you have it. A lot of reading.
You need a power cable, and a data cable to the Harddrive.
Same thing for the optical drive/s.

To have me clarify anything I have stated above, please post in a Comment.

For additional questions please post in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

Did you set the Master harddrive as master?

Or is your reference that you set the jumper cap, on the jumper pins; of both harddrives to Cable Select?

What are the manufacturer names, and model numbers of the two harddrives?

If you just see something like - WD2500JB, that will work.

How many wire is the Flat IDE ribbon cable?

There are 40 wire versions, and 80 wire versions.

Notice I stated - Wire.
They will both have 39 socket holes that are used.
(40 socket holes, with 1 blocked off)

80 wire IDE ribbon cable has Master harddrive in middle.
Slave harddrive at end of cable.
Little weird, huh?

40 wire IDE ribbon cable, has Master harddrive at end of cable, Slave in middle.


As for, "Computer will not see it."

Not trying to insult your intelligence. Am trying to see if we are both on the same page.............

1) You go to My Computer, and there is no drive letter assigned to that harddrive you just installed?

If it is there, you double-click on it to open that harddrive.

Please post back in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

HP part number 5188-5473 brings up the Asus A8N-LA motherboard, made especially for HP,

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00647121#N413

The rest of the number/letters do me no good.

I will elate some information based on the above, and see if it does you any good;

1) The Asus A8N-LA has connectors for two types of Harddrives;

A) IDE. Also known as PATA.

This type of Harddrive uses a flat ribbon IDE(PATA) data cable,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nappe.svg

Another look,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ATA_cables.jpg

(The Asus name probably won't be on it. These two IDE data cables just happen to be made by Asus )

The connectors on each end have 40 socket holes. One socket hole will be blocked off. (Or should be) ONLY 39 socket holes are used.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PATA-cable.jpg

A look at the connector on the motherboard;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ATA_on_mainboard.jpg

Looking at the motherboard illustration, look at the Bottom/Right corner. There are two IDE connectors. They are marked as IDE 1, and IDE 2.

Scrolling down a little bit to the motherboard photo, you will see IDE 1 connector is Black in color, and IDE 2 is Blue in color.

The IDE (PATA) harddrive's data cable goes to IDE 1.
Optical drive/s (CD/DVD drive) goes to IDE 2.

This is the type of power cable from the Power Supply, that goes to an IDE (PATA) harddrive,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#peripheral

NOTE*
There is usually a square, or rectangle, or two bumps; used on the IDE ribbon cable connector, to line up with the connector on the motherboard, or harddrive, or optical drive.

It is called a Locating Lug.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PATA-cable.jpg

This particular IDE data cable connector, has two raised bumps, for a Locating Lug.

It lines up with a Cutout in the motherboard's connector, or the harddrive's connector, or the optical drive's connector.

IF, there is NO Locating Lug, use the faint Red stripe on the side of the IDE data cable.
The red stripe is on the same side as Number 1 wire.

Number 1 wire goes to number 1 pin.
On a harddrive, or optical drive, number 1 pin is ALWAYS closest to the power cable connection,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#peripheral

Looking at the photo number 1 pin is on the Right side. It is closest to where the 4-pin Peripheral power cable plugs in.

B) SATA:

Looking at the motherboard photo, the Yellow, and Blue, and Black, and White connectors; to the left of the Blue IDE connector, and Black IDE connector; are SATA connectors.

SATA 1 is Black. This is where the SATA harddrive's data cable, is supposed to plug in.

The BEAUTY of SATA though, is that you can plug the harddrive into ANY of those SATA connectors on the motherboard, and BIOS will find the harddrive. (Or any other peripheral device)

An example of a SATA data cable, and it's connector,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SATA_ports.jpg

The red SATA connector shown below the SATA cable example, is just a different style of SATA motherboard connector; than what your motherboard uses.

Note the L-shaped opening in the SATA data cable's connector.
Lines up with the L shape on the motherboard connector, or harddrive connector, or optical drive connector.

Most SATA data cable connectors, also have a Lock on them.
Sometimes it's a Lock you can easily see.

Most times, it is a small depression you depress with your thumbnail, or a little 'bulb' you depress.
Depress/unlock to plug the cable in, or remove the cable.

The 90 degree angle connector end, (As shown), plugs into the harddrive, or optical drive. The Straight connector end plugs into the motherboard.

This is an example of a SATA power cable,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#sata

Between it, and the SATA data cable connector, it is the larger of the two.
SATA power cable connector has 15-pins.
SATA data cable connector has 7-pins.

Also note the rectangular depression on the SATA power cable's connector. That is where you depress to unlock the connector.
The SATA power cable's connector also has an L-shaped opening.

2) IF, you are trying to hook up a laptop harddrive to this motherboard, you need to determine if the laptop harddrive is an IDE (PATA) type, or a SATA type.

How?
Easy.

There is a label on the laptop harddrive. It has the manufacturer code on it. Type the number/letters in your browser search bar, and click on the search icon. (Magnifying Glass)

Now purchase an external enclosure.

The external enclosure opens up, and the laptop harddrive goes inside, and plugs into an interface.

Close the external enclosure, and plug it's USB cable into any available, open USB port on your computer.

It will be a 2.5 external enclosure.
Harddrive's are measured across their width.

A desktop harddrive is 3.5 inches across in width.
A laptop harddive is 2.5.

Example of a 2.5 IDE (PATA) external enclosure,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1086960&CatId=2782

Example of a 2.5 SATA external enclosure,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3195233&CatId=2783

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

A) With a desktop computer harddrive, there is a separate power cable.

1) IDE (PATA) type of harddrive uses a 4-pin standard Peripheral power cable. Connector is misnomered as a Molex connector.

(First company to make the connector is named Molex. Name stuck kind of like Crescent wrench, for an adjustable open-end wrench.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molex_connector )

Example of 4-pin standard Peripheral power cable,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#peripheral

SATA harddrives use a SATA power cable. It has 15 contact pins,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#sata

With a laptop harddrive there usually isn't a separate power cable.

The harddrive plugs into an Interface. A rectangular block with socket holes in it, which in turn is mounted to the motherboard.

SATA;

http://www.tech-forums.net/pc/f16/44-pin-idc-j1e1-hard-drive-sata-connector-231620/

IDE (PATA);

http://forum.tt-hardware.com/fichiers/uploads/upload_14_1/ide44pinout.gif

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

No product support question is stupid, Peter.

1) An IDE cable should be plugged in with the Number 1 socket hole in the IDE cable's connector, going on the Number 1 pin on the harddrive.

Number 1 pin on an IDE optical drive, or harddrive, is next to the 4-pin power connection.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hard_drive-en.svg

Illustration which shows the back of an IDE (PATA) harddrive.

See the area marked as IDE Connector?
Two rows of pins.

Next over are the Jumper pins in the Jumper Block.

Finally, next to the Jumper Block is the 4-pin power connection.


To make sure the IDE flat ribbon cable, is inserted into the harddrive in the correct position, a Locating Lug is usually on the IDE flat ribbon cable's connector.

A small rectangle, or two bumps side by side, on the top edge of the connector.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ATA_Plug.svg

This Locating Lug lines up with a cutout, in the circuit board of the harddrive.
A Locating Notch.

Sometimes there isn't a Locating Lug.
In this case look at the side edge of the IDE cable for the faint Red stripe.
This red stripe is on the same side as Number 1 pin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nappe.svg

So when you go to plug the IDE cable in, make sure the Red stripe is facing the 4-pin power connection.

Goes for an optical drive (CD/DVD drive), or a Harddrive.



(On the motherboard there are usually two IDE headers. {Connectors}

One for the Primary IDE device, a Harddrive, and one for the Secondary IDE device.
Usually an optical drive.

Next to the Primary IDE connector on the motherboard may be PRI, or Pri, or Primary, or IDE 1.
{ In TINY letter/numbers }

Next to the Secondary IDE connector on the motherboard, may be SEC, or Sec, or Secondary, or IDE 2.

Sometimes only the Secondary connector is marked. This tells you the other connector is the Primary connector.

Number 1 pin is towards the marking. Primary, or Secondary.
The Red stripe goes towards the marking on the motherboard )

Also;
There are two rows of pins on the back of the Harddrive for the IDE cable.
With a cursory glance it may look as though there are two rows of 20 pins.
There is not.

One pin has been removed. One row only has 19 pins.
Generally, but NOT always, the matching socket hole in the IDE cable's connector, is blocked off with a plug.

An IDE cable only uses 39 socket holes even if there are 40 shown.

Also; NOT a good idea to put a Harddrive, and an Optical Drive, on the same IDE cable.

BIOS looks to see which drive has the Master Boot Record.
Windows master boot record.
This is on the Harddrive.

BIOS will look at both, the Harddrive, and the Optical Drive.
This slows the computer down, for one.
For two, BIOS may not find which drive has the master boot record, with both drives on the same IDE flat ribbon cable.

Harddrive goes to the Primary IDE cable.
Optical drive/s go to the Secondary IDE cable.



2) As for the power cable it is a 4-pin standard Peripheral power cable.
Often misnomered as a 'Molex' cable.

[Molex was the model name given by the first company to produce this connector.
It stuck.
Kind of like referring to an open-end wrench as a Crescent wrench ]

It is also a STANDARD 4-pin Peripheral power cable, because there two 4-pin Peripheral power cables.

4-pin Standard Peripheral power cable,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#peripheral

Note in the center photo the shape of the connector.
The top two corners are rounded.
Only plugs in, in one direction.

{The Yellow wire is a 12 Volt wire.
Red = 5 Volts
Black wires are Ground wires }

4-pin Small Peripheral power cable,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#floppy

Older computers used this power cable for a Floppy Drive.
Newer computers use it for a Card Reader.


For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

One bad lead can cause a computer to continue on a cycle or to shutdown or fail to boot

Test all leads that attach to your hard drive including electrical extensions,IDE,SATA

the leads from your motherboard to your hard drive make sure they have a secure connection and are not faulty or just replace them there probably old and faulty

make sure all leads that are attached to your drives dvd\cd 3 1/2 inch floppy have secure connections and are not faulty or just replace them they are probably old and faulty ?

During the boot process you will see on the screen to press a certain key to enter setup
Press and hold that key during the boot up process to enter BIOS the scroll down to advanced bios features press enter change your first boot device to ......,press escape then press f10 to save to cmos to restart

The BIOS is AMI. Under ADVANCED SETUP:
The options listed for 1st,2nd ,3rd Boot device include:

IDE-0 means Pri master ?
IDE-1 means Pri slave ?
IDE-2 means Sec master ?
IDE-3 means Sec slave ?

?

? single or master :::::

master with slave ::'::

???????????????? slave? :::':

note the plastic jumper is

It's a SATA harddrive, not SCSI.

Serial ATA

Acer Support > Aspire T180 > Specifications >

http://www.acersupport.com/acerpanam/desktop/0000/Acer/AspireT180/AspireT180sp2.shtml

Will use up to a 400GB SATA harddrive according to Acer.

IDE stands for Integrated Drive Electronics.
Another name is PATA.
Parallel ATA
Used to distinguish between IDE and SATA.

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_Drive_Electronics

2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCSI

Exchange it?
Your harddrive has the Operating System on it.
A new harddrive will not have an O/S on it.
(Windows XP is an example of an O/S)

It would be much easier to install the harddrive you wish into an external enclosure, and plug the external enclosure's USB cable into your T180.

One example of a desktop size harddrive SATA external enclosure,
(3.5 inch SATA external enclosure.
3 and 1/2 inches across in width, for a desktop harddrive.
Laptop HD's are 2.5)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2145406&CatId=2780

Just take the drive out and put it into a new enclosure would be your cheapest option to keep it portable

I label all my PSU's with a dymo label maker to try avoid the situation you just had (fingers crossed)

Or you could insert the drive into a computer that has a suitable interface eg. SATA or IDE

Simply type the computer name and model number, in your browser search bar, and add -> + reviews. Look through the search hits.

Example: Gateway 7200X

Read the reviews about your computer. Many of them will state whether your computer uses an IDE harddrive, or a Sata harddrive.
(IDE is also referred to as EIDE, ATA, and PATA. Here's why,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT_Attachment