hardrive question

cchris2lou · Jan 23, 2009

thanks to all your help previously , I know I need a new harddrive for the pc .

my pc is a e machine 420 , and hardrive is 80GB ultradma/100 .

I have looked on ebuyer , but not sure which one to get .

is DMA same as ATA , and do I need IDE or SATA connection .

I have tried to google alll that , but way too technical for me .

thanks again .

tiboltrider · Jan 23, 2009

I got lost after the first sentance! :?

barry2017 · Jan 23, 2009

One labelled IDE should be fine. SATA drives may not fit your computer without a special controller, though, so ought to be avoided.
Don't be afraid! It's a straightforward job.

MagD · Jan 23, 2009

ATA is sometimes also known as PATA or pararel ATA which is IDE

To check what you have got have a look at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drives
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT_Attachment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SATA

The ultraDMA relates to the cabling and further points to IDE / PATA

Also gave a look here a PATA vs SATA guide:
http://www.scan.co.uk/TekSpek/Index.aspx?ArticleId=16

Likely that you need an IDE / PATA drive but take the old one to Maplin's or other technical computing shop and they'll confirm what it is for sure, (before selling you one ;-)

M.

cchris2lou · Jan 23, 2009

thank you .

neilll · Jan 23, 2009

It will almost certainly be IDE, these E420's used to have 80gb Seagate drives in them.

Post up here to find out how big you can go:

http://www.dexplor.com/phpBB2/viewforum ... fadb7a218d

Smallest IDE these days is around 160gb unless you are really lucky.

Neill

cchris2lou · Jan 23, 2009

ebuyer have some 80gb .

FluffyChicken · Jan 23, 2009

Size of the drive shouldn't matter, you'll just not be able to use all of it if you hit some sort of boundary or you run a program to overcome it

The next barrier up is the 137GB barrier, I doubt it is a problem for you though.

The 845 chipset which you motherboard used (If I'm right, use this program to check http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php) support up to ATA100*.
You cannot use SATA devices on the board (no connectors for one thing).

I wouldn't bother with addon cards as a budget mobo/cpu/ram and integrated stuff** would be a better buy along with a SATA drive.

oh I am assuming you motherboard is IM845GL looks like plenty in google search

*though if you see ATA133 mentioned that will work fine as well

** e.g. Ebuyer QF codes
139975 CPU (Intel E1200 dual core) £37
148294 Motherboard with Video (Asus P5KPL-AM iG31 mATX) £37
131300 250GB SATA Harddrive (Seagate)
142350 1GB DDR2 RAM (OCZ)
All for £118.46 delivered
(add another £15 to £20 if you wanted a cheap new case with powersupply)

cchris2lou · Jan 23, 2009

I have ordered this one, and hoping it will work .

I am fed up to re install xp everyday . :cry:

FluffyChicken · Jan 24, 2009

That will work fine.

hardrive question

cchris2lou

tiboltrider

barry2017

Old School Grand Master

MagD

Devout Dirtbag

cchris2lou

neilll

cchris2lou

FluffyChicken

cchris2lou

FluffyChicken

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