which hard drive?

[maginty999]

Hi,

I want to replace my 20 Gb maxtor hard drive with a 40 Gb but I have no idea how to buy the correct one. The old one is a Maxtor ultra ata/100 ; 541dk 5400 rpm ; model no.2B020H1. There are plenty of these on e bay but all are 20 Gb. Can anyone tell me which model to go for in a 40 Gb? I'm afraid I find all the different types totally confusing and just know I will get the wrong type of drive if I don't ask for advice. It is for a desk top computer. ( pentium 11 ) . Many thanks maginty:confused:

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help maginty.

 

Can you tell us all you can about the computer, the make and model number at least, that will help us find something suitable for you.

Although the Pentium ll is a bit old now, you should still be able to fit a drive with more than 40GB as that is not very large in comparison to what is available now.

Nev.

[maginty999]

Hi, thanks for your reply. This is a intel82443bx pentium 11 processor. 32 bit at/at compatible; DMI system uuid . ( PC B7UKHEXIMYYZ ). Memory type slot 1 SDRAM ( pc125 ) slot 2 SDRAM ( pc 133 ).

There is a slot 3 which is empty. Hope this is the info you need . How much memory do you think it will take and is it just a simple matter of popping the new stick in the empty slot or do they all have to balance in some way? I have happily fitted cd and dvd drives and usb ports etc but I'm afraid I can't fathom all these types and numbers just do me 'ead in ! again, many thanks maginty

[BeeCeeBee]

I am getting a bit confused here. (Nothing new) Are you talking about increasing your memory or replacing your hard drive? If you replace your hard drive you will need to reinstall everything including Windows and all programs updates etc. You will also need to save your data and move it to the new drive.

 

If your hard drive is functioning ok why not add a 2nd drive and increase your capacity.

 

Memory sticks are entirely different and effect your performance not your storage capacity.

[maginty999]

Hi,

sorry, I think I am the one who is confused. The old hard drive is totally corrupt and I could do nothing with it despite working on it for a week or more. I have managed to save a hard drive before but not this time; it resisted all my efforts so it is now only binworthy. I have all the means of installing OS etc. However.... here is where I myself became confused. I am at present using my grandsons computer which has a very small memory so I have bought another stick for this. Now, I have two other computers ; one with a clapped out fan and the other one requiring the hard drive I was asking about. I have gathered all the info about these systems but ( and here I am cringing ) I sent you the details of THIS one instead of the one I need the hard drive for and I don't know where I have put the info on that one. Please forgive a lady pensioner with a couple of brain cells working at reduced speed. I told you how confusing all this stuff was for me.Now you know I wasn't kidding. I would not blame you if you sent me strict instructions on how to vacate the planet!! But really, all I need to know is what hard drive would be suitable to replace the one I have given details of ( just larger as in 40 Gb or more ) Seagate took over Maxtor apparently and there are so many models out there I was skelly eyed with looking ! Please don't give up on me will you? I have asked several sellers on e bay for this info but there were no replies so I peobably confused them too. many thanks and my sincere apologies. maginty

[BeeCeeBee]

Ok so if I got it right what we are talking about is an old computer with a broken hard drive. I suspect that it is an IDE drive. (connects to the PC by a wide ribbon cable.) The first thing you need to do is consider a larger capacity drive (they are all the same size and connect the same way) A 40gb drive is tiny by todays standards and may even cost you more because they are dinosaurs. You can get a 250gb drive which is still on the low capacity side and probably not spend much more. If the computer is old I would just shop price. If you are using the internet I would wait for someone from Britain to give you sites since I am in the US.

 

Just be sure you are getting the right kind of drive. If it attaches by a ribbon cable it is IDE if it has a thin cable that attaches to the motherboard it is SATA.

 

PS Take it from someone who knows, pensioner or not you are doing just fine! :) :)

Edited June 18, 2010 by BeeCeeBee

[maginty999]

Hi,

thank you once again for your advice. It is an IDE and I have spotted one or two likely ones on e bay so I will continue to peruse until i find the right price ( as in... someone who will pay me to take it away ! ) Your help is sincerely appreciated.

regards maginty