Need help buying the right internal hard drive?

[Tony]

I am replacing a dead internal hard drive in my Emachines model #5010
computer. The only thing I know about the drive I have now is that its
a IDE 200 gig. Can I just pick up any internal drive I see in the
store? Also I have an Xp instalation disc that came with the computer.
It says Emachines on the disc. Is this all I need to re-install the
Operating System on the New drive?
Any tips are appreciated.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Can I just pick up any internal drive I see in the store?

If the one being replaced is a PATA drive, stick with PATA. If that's
what it is, it will be connected to the mainboard with a WIDE ribbon
cable, like an inch and a half wide.

Also I have an Xp instalation disc that came with the computer.
It says Emachines on the disc. Is this all I need to re-install the
Operating System on the New drive?

You're good to go - IF you have the key.

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Just to reinforce Grumpy's assist. Make certain the drive is NOT a SATA
drive.

 

[Lil' Dave]

I am replacing a dead internal hard drive in my Emachines model #5010
computer. The only thing I know about the drive I have now is that its
a IDE 200 gig. Can I just pick up any internal drive I see in the
store? Also I have an Xp instalation disc that came with the computer.
It says Emachines on the disc. Is this all I need to re-install the
Operating System on the New drive?
Any tips are appreciated.

Find the hard drive in the PC. If ide, it will have a 4 wire molex power
connector and a 40 pin ribbon cable connector. Remove these from the hard
drive. Remove the hard drive from the PC. Will require tools such as a #2
phillips screwdriver. Don't lose the screws.

Set the hard drive with the label up on a non-conductive surface. On the
label should contain the manufacturer, and at least a model number. With
that information, you may be able to find an identical or very similar
replacement.

SATA is similar in nature. The connectors are different in appearance and
size. Your only real concern is if your system is SATA or SATA II. If you
have SATA, you can use either SATA or a SATA II hard drive. In that case,
there should be a jumper on the SATA II hard drive to slow it down to SATA
speed. If onboard SATA II, get a SATA II hard drive.

Not sure about Emachines. I shy away from those things.
Dave