advice on Buyin a HD. [Archive]

worldpease

01-12-2007, 03:03 AM

Hi guys, what U been up to?

well, I would like to buy a second HD for my PC.
right now I have 80G with 512ram,
and I want at least a 200G, so I can do a new install and leave my 80G for applications and the 200 one for media.

so, can I go to the store and buy any 200g HD?,
or are there special requirements for every machine?

worldpease

01-12-2007, 03:11 AM

For example,
right now Fry's has this one (http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4987871?site=sa:Hard%20Drives%20Memory:Spot2), and thought it's not 200, the price seems very nice.
But how do I know if my PC will take it?

Virtualbody1234

01-12-2007, 03:25 AM

If you're looking for SATA then I recommend:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140

mildthrill

01-12-2007, 04:53 AM

look at how the hd you have now is connected to the motherboard. If it's with a big flat cable (like your cd/dvd drive) then you'd want an IDE hd. If it's a smaller cable like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.asp?Image=12%2D105%2D911%2D01%2EJPG&CurImage=12%2D105%2D911%2D01%2EJPG&Description=AMC+20%22+2%2DHead+Red+SATA+%28SERIAL+ATA+150%29+Cable+Model+CATA150%2D182+%2D+OEM) then that then you'd want a SATA hd. Other then that, you should be good.

S!X

01-12-2007, 10:10 AM

If you're looking for SATA then I recommend:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140

It's quite surprising how much those hard drive have dropped in price. That one i n Canada goes for 109$ on ncix.com :01:

Skiz

01-12-2007, 11:17 AM

http://filesharingtalk.com/vb3/p-seagate-wd-post1607917/postcount9

EDIT: That link isn't a combo deal anymore. It was 500GB + 250GB for $209

It is still 500GB for $209 though.

harrycary

01-12-2007, 11:36 PM

Virtualbody1234

01-12-2007, 11:50 PM

Your idea is a good one. I use a 120Gb drive for my O/S and apps and is more then I really need. Meanwhile I have a 300Gb drive for all my media.

Add your new HD, reboot, open "my computer", right click the new drive and select "format." Then you're ready to go.

It might need to have at least one partition created. Right click on 'My Computer' and select 'Manage' then click 'Disk Management'.

semibuckets

01-12-2007, 11:54 PM

If you can, I would get a new seagate harddrive. they're quiet and reliable.

JordoR

01-13-2007, 01:56 AM

WD Ftw. :ph34r:

General2k

01-13-2007, 03:39 AM

clocker

01-13-2007, 12:27 PM

From the current system specs you have I doubt you would be SATA compatible. From personal experience I would either go with Samsung. I have good experiences with Samsung drives both SATA and ATA, and bad experiences with WesternDigital and Maxtor.
Good Luck.
Just out of curiousity...
How many Samsung drives have you had and how many bad WDs/Maxtors?

For over a year now Microcenter has been selling Spinpoints very cheap.
We've seen an inordinate number of failures but I can't tell if this is a quality issue with Samsung or just a byproduct of the OEM packaging (an antistatic bag) and mishandling in the store (the drives are just piled in a bin). At any rate, it's enough to put me right off Samsung drives.

worldpease

01-14-2007, 12:33 AM

look at how the hd you have now is connected to the motherboard. If it's with a big flat cable (like your cd/dvd drive) then you'd want an IDE hd.
This is my HD, :dabs:
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5976/s3010011hc4.jpg
I guess I'll be getting an IDE...
right?

Add your new HD, reboot, open "my computer", right click the new drive and select "format." Then you're ready to go.
Ooh, thanks for that advice,
Im shure it will come in handy very soon.

Virtualbody1234

01-14-2007, 12:50 AM

This is my HD, :dabs:
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5976/s3010011hc4.jpg
I guess I'll be getting an IDE...
right?

Add your new HD, reboot, open "my computer", right click the new drive and select "format." Then you're ready to go.
Ooh, thanks for that advice,
Im shure it will come in handy very soon.

Yes that's IDE.

The same Seagate drive as my first post is available as IDE: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148139

mildthrill

01-14-2007, 06:57 AM

Yes, that's a double affirmative on IDE.

clocker

01-14-2007, 01:32 PM

I think we need pics from different angles to positively confirm the interface.
Till then I'll withhold my opinion.:frusty:

Virtualbody1234

01-14-2007, 01:49 PM

I think we need pics from different angles to positively confirm the interface.
Till then I'll withhold my opinion.:frusty:

Oh come on clocker...

The picture clearly shows an IDE cable plugged into his hard drive. I can even see that it's the old type 40 conductor IDE cable.

clocker

01-14-2007, 02:24 PM

You had me at "Oh".

Skiz

01-14-2007, 03:20 PM

Did you drop it? :unsure:

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/415/untitled1ez8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

worldpease

01-14-2007, 07:54 PM

I think we need pics from different angles to positively confirm the interface.
Till then I'll withhold my opinion.:frusty:

:D .:lol: :lol: .:P ...

lynx

01-14-2007, 08:41 PM

Did you drop it? :unsure:

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/415/untitled1ez8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
It's a WD drive, they are all like that (I don't mean broken). :rolleyes:

worldpease

01-17-2007, 04:32 AM

Well guys,
what do you think of THIS (http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4987791) one?

MXT L01V200 200GB PATA.
* Capacity: 200GB
* Seek Time: 8.9ms
* 7200RPM
* 8MB Buffer
* Ultra ATA 100 Interface
* Ultra Quiet Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) Motor
* 1 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty

$70 US Dlls.

It's an IDE, right?
and what does Ultra ATA stand for?

Virtualbody1234

01-17-2007, 05:42 AM

If you must buy it from there then check out this one: http://shop4.outpost.com/product/5103966?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

worldpease

01-17-2007, 05:58 AM

Hey Virtual, thanks man, I didn't notice that one,
but why do you consider that one to be better than the maxtor,
not that I disagree or something, just so next time I know, lol.

and about buying at Frys, well, Im very happy with the service they have provided me
on previus times and they have the lowest prices I've seen, and also the thing is that I dont consider
the mail service here in mexico to be as reliable as in US or Europe,
so I havent made that leap to eShoping.
Though they tell me FedEx is eficient anywhere, so may be soon...

lynx

01-17-2007, 09:16 AM

Why WD over Maxtor?

As with all things in computers, heat is the destroyer. Maxtor drives run hotter, so IMO they are inherently less reliable.

Yes they are both IDE (or more precisely EIDE).

EIDE refers to the 40 pin interface configuration and the associated circuits on the drive, these days often incorrectly called PATA to distinguish it from SATA.

Ultra ATA refers to the data transfer method using high speed DMA transfers. Ultra ATA only exists on EIDE drives.

worldpease

01-20-2007, 03:39 AM

Well, I think tomorrow I will go and get the one 'Virtual' recomended,
seems the best deal.

... and then I'll get back to you all so you tell me how to install it... Lol.
just a joke, I'll figure it out.

worldpease

01-21-2007, 04:48 AM

out of stock, crap.
they said it was out of stock at Frys.
I'll have to see if a friend can get it online for me.
whre would be a good website (in america) to get the HD 'Virtual' recomended,
apart from Frys?, or should I get it from there?,
hey, why not, right?

as a consolation I bought the Sound card...lol.

Virtualbody1234

01-21-2007, 05:21 AM

worldpease

01-21-2007, 06:39 AM

I only recommended that one because you limited yourself to Frys.

Well now, since you're no longer getting it from Frys, then I highly recommend this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148139

It's similar to the first one I posted but it's IDE.

Wow, that one even has the connection picture and all, :P
but its almost double what I was expecting to spend on a hard drive.

zapjb

01-21-2007, 06:47 AM

Go here & take your pick.
http://www.newegg.com/
Heres a HDD search.
http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Subcategory.asp?SubCategory=14&name=Internal-Hard-Drives

chip19

01-21-2007, 04:38 PM

WD Ftw. :ph34r:

I use WD as my main and backup drive. I also have a Maxtor for random things, but that is mostly unused.

unholyman

01-27-2007, 10:47 AM

There is a way to safeguard yor data,i have 3 hard disks running on raid 5. Anyway,dun get the 200 GB western digital,heard that it is noisy. Get the 160GB one as it is quiet and it runs on a single platter unlike the 200GB version.