Going to buy a new Hard Drive

**ErikinWest** · July 11, 2006, 04:42 PM

I am buying a new Hard Drive so I can take some of the load off my old Hard Drive. The 160 gigs on the old one is 10 gigs away from being full, and I think that will happen quickly.

When I buy a new Hard Drive is there a special type that I should go for?

Also, is it easy to install a second Hard Drive?

Thirdly, how do you transfer data from one Hard Drive to another?

Lastly, what is a good price for a 120-160 gig Hard Drive?

Thanks,
Erik

**CrazedClown** · July 11, 2006, 04:53 PM

XP is pretty helpful here. Just open your case, look at how your other Hardrive is plugged in and do the same on this one. XP will recgonize the new drive, and format it. Well to transfer files is pretty self explanitory, its just like moving things from one folder to another (you'll see, how its kind of a ridiculous question).

My one peice of advice is that large harddrives fail sooner and more frequently, so 80 is really the prime mix of size and speed. (I am guilty of a lrage hard drive but I don't recommend it.)

**Helliax** · July 11, 2006, 05:15 PM

Not all computers can handle SATA drives, as you need a SATA connection on your motherboard (you don't need to worry about a SATA power connector as most retail SATA drives come with a 4-pin --> SATA adapter if you don't have one on your power supply). However, I'd definetly recommend a SATA drive if your motherboard has the capability, as that si the future of hard drives.

Some things to note:

1. SATA drives do not have master/slave configurations
2. If you have a regular PATA hard drive as a master (either selected as a jumper config or if you never touched the jumpers then it's a master by cable select), and you install WindowsXP to boot from on the second SATA drive, Windows will get confused, and will report OS not found. I was able to fix it by booting the SATA first with the PATA disconnected. Then connecting the PATA.
3. If you're just looking to store data that you will need to access all the time, consider getting a large external hard drive. You can get a decent enclosure for about $40-$50, plus there's always hard drive deals. Try and get an external with firewire/IEEE 1394, it's faster for long sustained data transfers than USB 2.0.

**Titus** · July 11, 2006, 04:55 PM

Well I would go with a SATA drive by my understanding there the best,if you have a slot for a sata drive. Its fairly simple to put in a second hard drive but just read the manual before you start,

To put data on a second hard drive
its mainly copy and paste, but if your gonna install games from your hard drive now you will have to take them of the first drive . I bought a maxtor 300 gig drive, and it was only $150 so you can fine 160g drives for less then a hundred ive seen. Good Luck!!!

**Erik** · July 11, 2006, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by ErikinWest

When I buy a new Hard Drive is there a special type that I should go for?

There usually isn't much difference between the harddisks from all major brands.
But you might want to read some reviews first.
This is a good place to start: http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/index.html

Just make sure your computer has SATA if your going to buy a SATA drive, all new compuers have, but if your computer is more than 3 years old it might not have SATA.
(P)ATA drives are nearly as fast, btw.

Also, is it easy to install a second Hard Drive?

Yes, you only need to connect it to your mainboard and power supply.
Windows automatically recognizes your new drive.

SATA is realy easy, but (P)ATA is more tricky.
With (P)ATA you can connect up to two drives per cable, but you need to set some jumpers on the harddisks to tell which drive is "master" and which is "slave".
Also the position on the cable matters, you can't switch "master" and "slave" around.

Thirdly, how do you transfer data from one Hard Drive to another?

If you open "my computer" you can see all drives.
Once the new harddisk is formatted (you can also do this in "my computer") you can simply browse both harddiske can copy/move files and folders between the two.

Lastly, what is a good price for a 120-160 gig Hard Drive?

My local shop sells them for about 65 euro's.

Thanks,
Erik

No problem
Erik. :wink:

**ErikinWest** · July 12, 2006, 11:35 PM

I checked, and I have a: HARD DRIVE, 120G, I, 8M, 7.2K, Serial ATA, SEAGATE-ALPINE

Can I assume that Serial ATA is SATA?

Now should I open my computer and check if I have an extra wire to plug a new hard drive into? If so, what type of connecter should I be looking for?

Thanks,
Erik

**krazykarl** · July 13, 2006, 11:13 AM

For SATA hard drives, seagate 300gb drives can be had for under $200, depending on the model (I believe the 7200.10's are the newest) If you are going the SATA route, make sure you have SATA ports on your motherboard, or you are going to need to get a controller.