Newer PC's typically have an SATA. This is what the back of an SATA hard drive looks like.

Whatever style hard drive that you currently have is the same style that you'll want to buy.

Edited to fix first link.

Edited by - Bill on 4/18/2007 9:48:47 PM

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(I'm running 2 SATA and one IDE drive)

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Edited by - nietzsche on 4/18/2007 8:45:04 PM

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Using both hard drives, my only issues have ever been that my SATA cables jiggle loose more easily then my IDE connections do when I move my computer. My are held in place using pieces of tape after finding this out.

The more you dig around in your computer the more confident you will become with it.

The only sure thing I *can* tell you about hard drive installation is an easy was to make sure you're grounded when you're doing it. And you can do this easily by leaving your computer plugged in while you are doing servicing but unplugging the big connection between the PSU and your motherboard. this means that while you are touching your computer's internal workings and the case you are grounded. Just remember to plug power back into the MoBo. when you're done.

Edited by - conquistador on 4/18/2007 9:00:51 PM

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Might I suggest this drive?

Your board can use SATA drives and that would be my choice for it, because they are faster then IDE connected drives. And you won't need to fuss with any jumpers.

The only other advice from me is that if you have multiple drives it is handy to space them a slot apart (if you have the space in your case) when installing them due to heat issues. This is not a consideration that usually matters too much with hard drives, but anything I pay money for I try to keep in ideal condition.

Edited by - conquistador on 4/18/2007 11:06:37 PM

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a review of the seagate barracuda

I am using 2 of these and I have no complaints.

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I really like raptor 10,000 or 15,000 RPM drives though.

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Computer power supplies manufactured for the last several years have leads for both ATA and SATA drives.

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I would actually be surprised if the drive that you bought is the retail version (comes in a retail box and includes cables, etc...(the DVD burner that you bought didn't come with anything, right?)

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Hardware's admonishment reminds me that last time I had a problem with something from CDW, and called them about it, they said it had been more than 30 days since the invoice date and I would have to contact the manufacturer directly for warranty repair. They suck. I dealt with Pioneer RMA, and they were nice but it took sending that 109 burner back twice before they finally replaced it (and about two months, and all for a $40 piece of hardware, what a chap in the ass).

Hope and pray you don't have to do the manufacturer RMA thing. IT gets old fast. Pun intended.

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Did you get your harddive yet?

If you have a Fry's Electronic in your area.
Todays ad shows, they are selling a 160gb hdd
either Seagte brand or Maxtor (IDE) for 39.99

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I'm ready for you to start posting questions about mvc oop code constructs. And answer my questions about squid caching proxy server - mine hosed and I'm not sure why.

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Likely they will cost less then a dollar or they may be free.

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Otherwise, you can get the screws from these guys for about a buck for four of them.

Another option would be to see if there are any computer fairs near you. The ones around here have gotten much smaller over the last few years. But they are still a good place to pick up things such as cables, tools and hardware (such as screws).

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"A Phillips screwdriver and four 6-32 UNC drive mounting screws."

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Just make sure they go in nicely. If they're too big, you risk going through the case and shorting out something inside. But usually that takes a lot of force and it should be obvious that something's wrong. If the screws go in nicely, you're golden.

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Before you buy, open your PC and make sure that you don't already have a SATA power cable. IF you do, then you just need a data cable.

Here's Newegg's page of all SATA cables.

BTW, if you end up buying the cables from Newegg, they also have the screws that you need, as well as others that you may need in the future.

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Any computer store should have what you need, or newegg.com if you're afraid to leave the house. CompUSA-type stores might only have overpriced bling-bling name-brand cables, so try a mom-and-pop store first, if there are any where you live.

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