Replacing/Adding hard drive

[annonymous]

I have dell dimension 1100 computer whoseHard Drive specifications are as under
80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
I think Hard drive is causing problem. Once it couldn't be detected while
installing windows and it starts giving some error like (stop 00000000x)
Can anybody please tell me whether all hard drives are same and I can buy
any or should I buy one which is compatible with my computer (and with what
specifications). thanks

 

[R. McCarty]

Drives are "Standardized". The only physical dimension change from your
existing drive may be that newer models are slimmer. Before you opt to
replace it you should download the manufacturer's diagnostics program.
It's usually a .Iso module that you burn to a CD-R disk and boot from it
to run the utility. If you do purchase a replacement be sure to get a PATA
(Parallel ATA). Recent drives are SATA (Serial ATA) and have a cable
and connection style different from yours. Most stores still carry PATA,
but they are quickly being replaced by SATA models. One good online
source for computer components is Newegg ( http://www.newegg.com )

 

[Big_Al]

R. McCarty said this on 1/5/2009 4:50 PM:

Drives are "Standardized". The only physical dimension change from your
existing drive may be that newer models are slimmer. Before you opt to
replace it you should download the manufacturer's diagnostics program.
It's usually a .Iso module that you burn to a CD-R disk and boot from it
to run the utility. If you do purchase a replacement be sure to get a PATA
(Parallel ATA). Recent drives are SATA (Serial ATA) and have a cable
and connection style different from yours. Most stores still carry PATA,
but they are quickly being replaced by SATA models. One good online
source for computer components is Newegg ( http://www.newegg.com )

I would add the PATA are also called IDE or EIDE sometimes. I never
saw PATA referred to until SATA came out.

You don't need 7200rpm either if you can't find one. 5400rpm work, but
as you can tell, they spin slower and thus read data slower. But they
will work if you just flat out can't find anything better.

 

[Tom]

Keep in mind that you'll need to clone your HD before you do anything. Or
else you'll need to reload all the software on the new HD and also transfer
your User-Created files such as Word (*.doc), Excel (*.xls) etc.
I've used EzGig II to clone WinXP successfully many times. I make a backup
of my HD about every 2-4 weeks 'just in case'. Backups take around
50-80GB/hour depending on what's on the drive and your processor and drive
speeds etc.

 

[Anna]

I have dell dimension 1100 computer whoseHard Drive specifications are as
under
80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
I think Hard drive is causing problem. Once it couldn't be detected while
installing windows and it starts giving some error like (stop 00000000x)
Can anybody please tell me whether all hard drives are same and I can buy
any or should I buy one which is compatible with my computer (and with
what
specifications). thanks

annon...
You've already rec'd responses to your query about the various types of HDDs
so there's nothing for me to add about that. However...

Don't go out buying a HDD right now unless you're reasonably certain your
present disk is defective or unless you just want a HDD that has greater
disk-capacity.

The fact that a "stop error" appeared at one (or more) times is certainly
*no* indication of a defective or failing HDD. There are so many reasons
(both hardware & software-related) for that type of error, it boggles the
mind.

Many of the Dell machines are equipped with a diagnostic program that may
shed some light on any problem you're experiencing.

Also, you can freely download a HDD diagnostic utility from the disk's
manufacturer and easily determine whether your HDD is indeed defective.
Anna