Getting Another Hard Drive

[DOS]

So I want to get another hard drive for some extra storage, but I have a few questions first. Hopefully you guys can answer some/all of them.

1. My computer's hard drive has 74.4 Gig. That's what it came with. Would I be able to get another ~80 Gig for a reasonable price. What could that run me?

2. How hard is it to install? I have installed a DVD burner into my computer. How hard is it compared to that?

3. Will I be able to transfer files between drives easily?

Thanks

[Cricket]

I use an external hard drive (Seagate) for extra storage and backups. It's as easy as plugging it in and installing the backup program if desired.

External hard drives have come way down in price. Shop around for the best prices.

[sixty6]

During summer I took in tons of computers and fixed them up to run perfectly for Windows XP, made a good profit too!

Open up your computer and check your motherboard and your DVD Drive should be hooked into a socket *I bet it's also hooked wiith the HDD*

There should be another empty socket OR if your HDD and DVD Drive aren't hooked together and they use two sockets, that's also fine. Otherwise you cannot buy another internal one.

It is the exact same thing as setting up a DVD Drive or Floppy Drive. You would need to modify the system options or something (an option is given when you first startup the computer) so it detects and make sure you have Jumper Settings correctly. You would also need to format it for whichever Windows version you're using (it's easy if you have the Windows XP Disk) and the format file would most likely be NTFS and do quick, since there isn't anything on the new HDD anyway..

[bencort]

Originally Posted by DOS

2. How hard is it to install? I have installed a DVD burner into my computer. How hard is it compared to that?

3. Will I be able to transfer files between drives easily?

One thing to watch out for. If you have two devices on a single HDD controller cable (the thin wide cable going to your HD), you'll have to configure your second drive as the slave drive using a jumper located on the drive. Look next to the power plug-in, there will be 3 or 4 double pins in a row with a Black Jumper. You'll also find writing next to each row that say something like "MAS" or "SLV" or "CBL" or something similiar. You'll need to leave you exisiting drive on "MAS" and your second drive on "SLV".

Hope this helps.

[paulpanjan]

In order not to meddle with the installation stuff you can get an external harddrive for your purpose.

These comes in 2 flavours, one using smaller harddisks (used in laptops) or the regular one in PCs (with a much larger casing).

External harddisk are super easy to install, jsut plug in the usb slot and you are done.

[DOS]

Thanks bencort, it is helpful. I had to do something similar when I installed the DVD burner.

And Paul, aren't those much, much more expensive?

[chicgeek]

Access to external HDs are usually a bit slower. I suggest internal. Just follow the instructions and it's easy to install. Just be wary of shock.

[Thanol]

Originally Posted by DOS

1. My computer's hard drive has 74.4 Gig. That's what it came with. Would I be able to get another ~80 Gig for a reasonable price. What could that run me?

It should cost only around $40-$50, maybe less if there's a rebate or sale. A lot of times you get can hd's really cheap (160gb for $50) after mail-in-rebates from the brick and mortar stores, but that's only if you want to deal with the rebates. Check out newegg.com .

2. How hard is it to install? I have installed a DVD burner into my computer. How hard is it compared to that?

It's pretty much exactly the same.

3. Will I be able to transfer files between drives easily?

Yep, drag and drop for the most part

[DOS]

Originally Posted by Thanol

It should cost only around $40-$50, maybe less if there's a rebate or sale. A lot of times you get can hd's really cheap (160gb for $50) after mail-in-rebates from the brick and mortar stores, but that's only if you want to deal with the rebates. Check out newegg.com .

It's pretty much exactly the same.


Yep, drag and drop for the most part

Sweet.

My next step is to go around the cheaper computer stores here.

[bencort]

I also like techbargains.com for some decent deals on tech gear, including HD's.

And no, I have 0 affiliation with them. Just been a follower of their deals for years.

[David Super]

Sure, you can get a 80gig hard drive I recommend gettting an external one if you plan to carry your data around. But you can get an internal hard drive if you are not going to do that. Prices range from " $54.99 - $94.99" If it's internal then here are some simple instrtuctions.

1. Turn off your computer.
2. Then make sure you are grounded so ESD doesn't occur.
3. Take off the side of the computer case.
3. Then move the jumper from the master(MA) to slave posotion(SL).
4. Then install the hard drive into the appropriate bay.
5. Then connect your IDE or SATA cable to the drive.
6. Then connect the other end to appropriate slot on the motherboard.
7. Then put the side of the computer case back on.
8. Then turn the power back on.
9. The BIOS should detect the drive by itself.
10. If windows prompts you to install drivers when it starts up then use the disk or cd that came with the drive to install them.

Also the hard drive will come with more detailed instructions for installation. So, not to worry. If you need more detailed instructions I can email them to you if you would. Like. Transfering of files should be a breeze from cd to hard drive.

[DOS]

Originally Posted by David Super

2. Then make sure you are grounded so ESD doesn't occur.

What's this one about?

[chicgeek]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrostatic_discharge

[littleFella]

Originally Posted by DOS

What's this one about?

Don't worry about that. Just don't roll over a carpet before handling computer electronics. If you live in a fairly humid climate and if it's not the heating season then you're OK.

[David Super]

ESD Stands for Electro Static Discharge. Just make sure you touch a bare part on the PC case before you stick your hands in there.

[DOS]

Originally Posted by David Super

ESD Stands for Electro Static Discharge. Just make sure you touch a bare part on the PC case before you stick your hands in there.

Will do. Thanks.

And I'll try not to roll around on the carpet.

[web10]

Even if you dont its only a quick zap..similar to what happens when you're on a trampoline and then touch the steel surroundings - it hurts for a second!

[DOS]

Originally Posted by web10

Even if you dont its only a quick zap..similar to what happens when you're on a trampoline and then touch the steel surroundings - it hurts for a second!

Had it happen to you?