upgrade hard drive
 

For the computer techies here, how difficult is it to replace a hard drive? I only have 40GB right now and I'd like to upgrade to 160GB at least. I have a Dell Dimension 2400. What should I be shopping for in a quality hard drive?

I'm fairly familiar with the inside of a computer, I've upgraded my own video and audio cards before, put in additional ram, etc.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

Seagate is the only way to go. Cheap and most reliable drives around. It's also one of the easiest upgrades you can do.

If you have Symantec Ghost (which I can send you) you can ghost disk-to-disk and not miss a beat.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

If you're planning on having your machine for a while, I've been retrofitting machines where I work with RAID cards and installing dual SATA drives in a RAID 0 array (which sounds complicated, but is super easy to do) which will not only double the RPMs of the drives you're using, it'll greatly speed up what you're doing. Of course since the machine is older you'll get bottlenecked by a couple of things, but you wouldn't believe the difference that configuration made in my office machine. My boot up is something like fifteen seconds from button to desktop.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148103]Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB 3.5" IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM[/url]

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

Keep in mind I don't do any gaming. Pretty much just internet stuff, email, and of course working on the site with front page, some minor photo editing, etc. I do download alot of music, so that's my primary reason for needing a bigger drive. Currently I have all of my music on a 80GB external drive, but I'd feel safer with my music backed up in two locations.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;275723][URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148103"]Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB 3.5" IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM[/URL][/quote]

damn that's super cheap

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

True. I don't do a whole lot of gaming. My reason for going with RAID is just because I hate to wait for anything. Setting up RAID makes everything I do almost instantaneous. If anything, that drive I sent you is going to make a nice difference. That machine probably had a slower RPM and a smaller cache.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

Upgrading is not hard at all, just remove power and IDE cable from hard drive and pull it out. Just make sure you have a [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-static_wrist_strap"]Anti-static wrist strap[/URL] on while upgrading less you want to fry your mobo. Radio shack should have them.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=Mattyk72;275728]damn that's super cheap[/quote]

Yeah, I mean it's a nice upgrade regardless. If you want Ghost, give me a shout via PM, unless you're planning on doing a clean install.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

Seagate is good, but I've always gone with Western Digital drives and never had a problem. They're VERY reliable and the best in my opinion. Price-wise, they're about the same as Seagate too.

I just put a 160GB WD drive in a computer I built for my dad last week, cost $52.99 from Newegg. (weekend sale)


Just be sure to get the right kind of connection, although there ARE adapters. Your 40GB drive is most likely an IDE connection and your mobo probably doesn't have the faster SATA drive connections, so make sure you buy an IDE drive (slightly cheaper than SATA drives anyways).

I have a WD 120GB drive in a PC I built myself nearly 3 years ago and have had ZERO problems with it.

Buy from Newegg, they're awesome...cheap, FAST shipping, GREAT customer service...

Don't buy from a store like Staples or Office Max, you'll pay double.

I'd get THIS one:

[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144203]Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB 3.5" IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM[/url]

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=saden1;275732]Upgrading is not hard at all, just remove power and IDE cable from hard drive and pull it out. Just make sure you have a [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-static_wrist_strap"]Anti-static wrist strap[/URL] on while upgrading less you want to fry your mobo. Radio shack should have them.[/quote]

Not necessary, just keep a hand or a forearm on a metal part of the case. It's also better not to do it on carpet.

I've NEVER worn one and I've been building PCs since I was a kid basically. Just ground yourself and discharge your static on the case and don't walk around a lot while you install. I usually sit down when I work.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

Allow me to piggy-back onto this thread with my own "tech-help" issue.

I need to replace my current [B]Windows[/B] [B]XP[/B] with a new {cough:legit:cough} copy of [B]Windows[/B] [B]XP[/B]. My question is will I be able to simply select "upgrade to Windows XP from earlier operating system"? or do I have to reformat the hard drive thus backing up a lot crap onto cd?

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

Matty -
You may want to just get a USB hard drive and add it for storage.

I'm getting (today, if FedEx.com is telling the truth) a 500 GB USB drive, and it's costing me less than $160. To say I got a good deal would be understating things.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=Mattyk72;275718]I'm fairly familiar with the inside of a computer, I've upgraded my own video and audio cards before, put in additional ram, etc.[/quote]


You'll be fine then. HDs are easy, a few screws and your data (probably a ribbon-style) and your power plug. You probably don't even have to disconnect them from the motherboard, just do the swap. :)

JUST REMEMBER TO GROUND YOURSELF on the case.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

Are you going from Home to Pro or are you just wanting to change the serial number to a "legit" copy?

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[QUOTE=724Skinsfan;275736]Allow me to piggy-back onto this thread with my own "tech-help" issue.

I need to replace my current [B]Windows[/B] [B]XP[/B] with a new {cough:legit:cough} copy of [B]Windows[/B] [B]XP[/B]. My question is will I be able to simply select "upgrade to Windows XP from earlier operating system"? or do I have to reformat the hard drive thus backing up a lot crap onto cd?[/QUOTE]

Assuming you aren't going from Home to Professional (or vice versa), I think you can just change your validation code.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=Buster;275735]Not necessary, just keep a hand or a forearm on a metal part of the case. It's also better not to do it on carpet.

I've NEVER worn one and I've been building PCs since I was a kid basically. Just ground yourself and discharge your static on the case and don't walk around a lot while you install. I usually sit down when I work.[/quote]

yeah that's what I've always done when working inside the computer, I ground myself on the case and also work on an uncarpeted floor.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

Or you can just edit the system file and tell Microsoft to suck it. ;)

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=724Skinsfan;275736]Allow me to piggy-back onto this thread with my own "tech-help" issue.

I need to replace my current [B]Windows[/B] [B]XP[/B] with a new {cough:legit:cough} copy of [B]Windows[/B] [B]XP[/B]. My question is will I be able to simply select "upgrade to Windows XP from earlier operating system"? or do I have to reformat the hard drive thus backing up a lot crap onto cd?[/quote]

Is it a full copy or upgrade?

You SHOULD be able to just do a reinstall of Windows, saving your personal files without formatting.

I'd need to know if it was an upgrade or full version to give you a thorough answer.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=Mattyk72;275741]yeah that's what I've always done when working inside the computer, I ground myself on the case and also work on an uncarpeted floor.[/quote]

[IMG]http://www.movieactors.com/freezeframes5/signs119.jpeg[/IMG]

This is what I do.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=Mattyk72;275741]yeah that's what I've always done when working inside the computer, I ground myself on the case and also work on an uncarpeted floor.[/quote]

Yeah, the wrist-straps are for gullible geeks. :cheeky-sm

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;275739]Are you going from Home to Pro or are you just wanting to change the serial number to a "legit" copy?[/quote]

Pro to Pro, ill-legit to legit.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=724Skinsfan;275746]Pro to Pro, ill-legit to legit.[/quote]

[url=http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/pkuinstructions.aspx]Genuine Microsoft Software[/url]

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;275747][URL="http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/pkuinstructions.aspx"]Genuine Microsoft Software[/URL][/quote]

I researched this initially but then my cousin-in-law (if there is such a thing) works for Microsoft and gave me a copy obtained through his employee purchase program. Would you still go with your suggestion?

But then Matty's post got me thinking about getting a new HD (I have a 20GB 7200RPM Seagate) and installing the new XP onto that one and then booting up with that drive. Eventually I'll move all of my files to the new hard drive.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=724Skinsfan;275749]I researched this initially but then my cousin-in-law (if there is such a thing) works for Microsoft and gave me a copy obtained through his employee purchase program. Would you still go with your suggestion?

But then Matty's post got me thinking about getting a new HD (I have a 20GB 7200RPM Seagate) and installing the new XP onto that one and then booting up with that drive. Eventually I'll move all of my files to the new hard drive.[/quote]

If you have room in the case, you can keep the 20GB for system for program files (including Windows) and use a bigger one as a slave for files. Then you won't have to reinstall and you can just drag and drop files over, plus you'll have an extra 20GB for free.

All you need it this cable:

[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812104038"]Newegg.com - Link Depot IDE Round Cable - Retail[/URL]

and possibly a $2 power cable splitter, but chances are that you have a spare power cable in the case already. You just have to set the jumper on the new drive to "slave".

If you don't have room, you could always remove your floppy if you don't use it. You could always pick up an external laptop floppy (USB or serial port) for next to nothing from eBay in case you ever need it. Windows installs on the CD-ROM drive now anyways and some computers don't even come with floppys anymore, but I always put on in when building. They're like $7 now. :D

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[QUOTE=Buster;275734]Seagate is good, but I've always gone with Western Digital drives and never had a problem. They're VERY reliable and the best in my opinion. Price-wise, they're about the same as Seagate too.

I just put a 160GB WD drive in a computer I built for my dad last week, cost $52.99 from Newegg. (weekend sale)


Just be sure to get the right kind of connection, although there ARE adapters. Your 40GB drive is most likely an IDE connection and your mobo probably doesn't have the faster SATA drive connections, so make sure you buy an IDE drive (slightly cheaper than SATA drives anyways).

I have a WD 120GB drive in a PC I built myself nearly 3 years ago and have had ZERO problems with it.

Buy from Newegg, they're awesome...cheap, FAST shipping, GREAT customer service...

Don't buy from a store like Staples or Office Max, you'll pay double.

I'd get THIS one:

[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144203]Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB 3.5" IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM[/url][/QUOTE]


WD drives are rife wth issues. They are the least reliable drive company I have seen personally.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

I 2nd Western Digital HDDs. I have 2 drives in my machine now (8.4gb, 40gb), and have never had any problems with them. I built my current machine about 3 years ago, and it's still running like a charm (AP Athlon XP 2400+, 1 GB DDR (recently upgraded from 512), 40 GB Master, 8.4 GB Slave (HD from old machine), ATI Radeon 9600XT Video Card). All the pieces together probably ran me about $600 (includes recent upgrades of memory, video card and DVD burner).

but slapping in a HD is pretty easy. just stay grounded and you'll be good to go.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=FRPLG;275754]WD drives are rife wth issues. They are the least reliable drive company I have seen personally.[/quote]


Any details? I've always used and loved them...NEVER an issue for me.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

Ok so once I get the new HD in what happens from there? I keep reading online about people complaining about having to partition the drive.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=FRPLG;275754]WD drives are rife wth issues. They are the least reliable drive company I have seen personally.[/quote]

Very true. We have three year old Dells that are crappy out with WD on a weekly basis.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=Mattyk72;275760]Ok so once I get the new HD in what happens from there? I keep reading online about people complaining about having to partition the drive.[/quote]

If you use the Ghost that I sent you, you won't have to worry about doing crap. Ghost sees the two drives just as physical space. No partitions needed. What you'll do is say, "Disk to disk" when you boot into Ghost, then pick the "Source" drive, this will be your old drive and by default the other drive will be selected. Just press go and it'll take a few minutes and you can just pull the old drive and be good to go.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[QUOTE=FRPLG;275754]WD drives are rife wth issues.[/QUOTE]

I have heard the same. I like Seagate and Fujitsu. However, I've never had any problems with any HDDs I've ever had, but then I've never had a WD, so...

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

Also, if you're going laptop, Samsung is the way to go.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;275769]I have heard the same. I like Seagate and Fujitsu. However, I've never had any problems with any HDDs I've ever had, but then I've never had a WD, so...[/quote]

I just had a laptop Fujitu crap out on me...2nd one too.

I switched brands needless to say.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

I have seen probably a 45-50% fail rate on WDs that we have in most of our 2-3 year old Dells. We wondered if it was an issue involving the Dell/WD combo but starting seeing the same issues in custom builts. There is a reason that WD thrives in the cheap refurbish market. Because they have plenty of devices to fix and resell.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

woah, raid 0 = half mean time till failure. it's awesome till it breaks and you lose everything. if you're going that route, i'd really suggest hardware raid 5 for some kind of safety net... unless you keep good backups, which almost no one does.

and yeah, ghost is truly amazing ;)



the best hard drive deals are ALWAYS rebates at compusa/staples/best buy etc, when available. otherwise, you can get a 300gb for 90$ (newegg.com) non-rebate (which is the best price/size right now). once you have the space, you'll figure out how to use it ;). seagate is a little slower, but they use less moving parts and fail less often. hitachi and samsung have low fail rates too.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

You might consider something along these lines:

[img]http://www.ritilan.com/archives/images/blogimages/073004_new_hard_drive-thumb.jpg[/img]

;)

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

I have seen hard drives of all makes fail.

I have just recently had to work on Seagate, WD, Maxtor.

I know Seagate owns Maxtor now, but back in the day they were junk. If you ever need a good data recovery program check out Spinrite from GRC.com. I have used that on three dead hard drives now, and it saved two of them. If the drive will not show up in Bios then you are screwed.

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

Not sure if this is potentially an issue but I only have one drive bay. Is it possible to hook up two drives in order to ghost my info?

Re: upgrade hard drive
 

There are some enclosures that will let you retrofit drives in your optical bays.