Newbie Hard Drive Question

[MMiz]

Hey,

So its time to buy an additional hard drive for the home computer. Ive never installed one before, and I know little about them. I found what I believe is a good price at http://www.compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?sid=8p53v13s5e6h0r0&id=550 , and am wondering if that $96 drive comes with everything I would need to successfully install it.

Thanks.

-Matt :baghead:

[allan]

Matt -- it looks like a good deal, is this going to be strictly a secondary drive, or are you going to make it your primary drive?

[MMiz]

allan,

This would be solely a secondary drive used for backup and storage. Would you buy this? Would you suggest it? Thanks

[allan]

Make sure you OS can handle an 80 Gig drive (Windows 2000, XP and Linux 2.4 kernel should have no problem), but yea if I had a spare $100 I would buy it, it seems like a good deal, and you should have all the tools you need to make it work built into your OS.

[Chicken]

I just installed a 3rd drive in the home computer. $96 for an 80GB drive is fair, though I've seen slightly lower at some of the loacl CompUSA and BestBuy type stores. The 80GB drive I just bought is similar in specs, though that one has an 8MB Cache, whereas I believe mine has only 2MB. Overall, price is decent thought, so I wouldn't let that bother you.

As far as installation, you have a primary drive already installed in your computer or a CD drive, and it has an IDE 80 pin cable. It probably has another connector to hook a second drive to (if not, let me know, I have at least one extra, don't buy one). You can hook the new drive to the same cable as the CD-ROM or the primary drive. The device at the end of the cable should be the master, the device in the middle should be set to slave. There are tiny jumpers you insert into the back of the drives which set this up. Then go into the bios and make sure your primary (existing) drive is the 1st to boot up.

Really, it isn't as hard as it might sound, and there are instructions included with the drive, plus forums in case something isn't working and you need help. If it doesn't work, put it back how it was, and either re-read the directions or ask here/elsewhere.

I have to find a pair of these snap in plastic mounting thingies as I currently have the 2nd drive hanging out of the case like a dog's tounge. :( if anyone has a few of those to spare, please let me know! :D

[interactive]

Since this is a message board I'll voice my opinion. I'm not a big fan of WD drives, they have problems IMHO. They are very quite though. I would recommend maxtor. You can get the same specs drive for about the same price or less. Let me know if you want links. Or if you want to stick with WD drives I'm sure you can find a better deal then $96 (although it is already a pretty good deal). Either way good luck.

[MMiz]

Interactive,

Thanks for the tips, and I completely agree. The current room setup puts my computer right next to my roomates. bed. Maxtor drives are nice, but they make a LOT of noise. Any links would be appreciated too. Thanks.

-Matt

[interactive]

They aren't that noisy, but comparying them to WD drives they are. I've had alot of them go bad, but a few have been good. The older IBM deskstars or whatever were good (the 60gxp line I believe the 75gxp line is known as "deathstars"). Anyways heres links:

http://www.z-buy.com/product.asp?item=HD-WD80JB (never ordered from them, don't look to shabby, the exact same drive is $98, but free shipping)

Reseller ratings for these guys: http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2090.html (doesn't look too bad)

That's about the best deal for 1 drive. It includes cables and everything. If you need help setting it up post on here, email me, or call me. I'm always willing to help people out.

[MMiz]

Thanks for all your help. Now I just need to find $100. I wonder if they accept meal points. Im wondering if I would need one of those round cables, any way I can check before I order? Thanks again :)

-Matt

[LetsFly]

careful, i picked up 3 drives from them, 2 of them bad (maxtors too!) 2 40's and 1 60

the 60 and a 40 was bad, sent them back the other day to get an exchange

[MMiz]

Originally posted by AlaskanWolf:

careful, i picked up 3 drives from them, 2 of them bad (maxtors too!) 2 40's and 1 60

the 60 and a 40 was bad, sent them back the other day to get an exchange

Hi,

I thought I had replied to this earlier. Who are you talking about when you say "them?" Thanks.

-Matt

[LetsFly]

umm maybe u...the orginal poster....

[Chicken]

Gary, I think he's asking, "Who is the them?" in this quote:
Originally posted by AlaskanWolf:

careful, i picked up 3 drives from them, 2 of them bad (maxtors too!) 2 40's and 1 60

the 60 and a 40 was bad, sent them back the other day to get an exchange
It might be http://www.z-buy.com/ ?

[MMiz]

After contacting every place that offered it for under $140 I was told that it was a bare hard drive. No manuals, cable, or software. Any idea where I would be able to get the whole package? It was $139 on Amazon.com. Thanks :)

[Chicken]

You seem to be posting from Michigan area. Wait until tomorrow and check over the store ads. Do you have CompUSA, BestBuy, Circuit City, Fry's, etc., or similar near you? I've found most of what I need at these places, and since they are very close (all within 10 minutes drive from me), I'd rather deal with a store than shipping, and shipping back, if there's a problem.

[LetsFly]

http://www.compuplus.com

the good thing is i sent em back, got an rma, all very easy, so far havent tested the 60 gig (had a bad 60 and 40)