Is it safe to use the hard drive AC cord from an old windows 95 computer with a newer windows XP computer?

Question

Just curious if its okay to do this. Wasn't sure if the hard drive will need more power then the older AC cord can handle or whatnot. Its not some cutting edge computer, just a dell xp machine.

by the way, this is the cord im talking about::
http://www.sbspc.com/AC%20POWER%20CORD%20FOR%20PC.jpg

thanks in advance

Answer 1

It sounds as if all your equipment is standard. Some people have their computers located very far from an available outlet so they buy a special long cable to power up their machine. In this case the gage of the wire must be bigger to handle the extra resistance due to longer length. Another situation where a thicker cable is needed is when a bigger than average power supply unit is custom purchased and installed. These usually ship with the necessary cables.

Personally, I have 5 ATX tower cases with a few 510 Watt Power Supply Units that all use the same interchangeable cable type.

Like everyone else has stated here, I think it is very safe as long as you don't have any physical damage to the cable.

Answer 2

This is a very common problem with xp computers, if it is an older model with a small processor like an intel celeron-P4 then your best bet is to download a new operating system or buy an external disc drive and an xp home edition disc off ebay or something. A good operating system for an older pc if you do not do any gaming such as call of duty or crysis is ubuntu 4.0, its a linux based os but more like the software on the apple macs, it will fit onto a usb memory pen about 4gb and will boot from startup. you will need to plug it in while turned off, start up the pc and enter your bios (usually F2) before the logo screen. Go to boot up or anything where you can select the boot device and change the 1st boot device to the usb stick and the second to your hard drive (should be local disc C) You can the install ubuntu from bootup, the same will be possible if you use an external dvd drive and xp. If you use the usb method make sure that the only thing on it is ubuntu.

Answer 3

as long as everything matches up in the plugs then you can use the old cord for as long as you desire it should only take a few minutes for this to work properly look for error messages or listen for more then one beep if it shows you an error message then you know pretty much that the cord isnt suplying enough power to the hard drive for it to function properly

Answer 4

The connectors & wiring are the same, however, some newer cords have improved insulation & shielding to provide better grounding & protection against magnetic field emmisions.

That said ... I really wouldn't worry about it.

regards,
Philip T

Answer 5

Go for it. I havent bought a new one in 10 years. If the prongs match{and the picture looks as if they will} It is good until it rots. Not so with hard drive cables if you change drives. Some now require 80 pins to function.

Answer 6

It should be safe. I don't think they have the changed the design of those cords for over 20 years (if not longer).

Answer 7

I'm not an electrical expert, but I would think it should do just fine. I have had one go bad on my sister's PC. We thought it was the power supply, but it was this cord.

Answer 8

I sold replacement ones for over 5 years in the largest computer store in chicago. They are standard cables for all computers since the first MAC/PC was invented.

Answer 9

lol... cords are fine for anything. Its like sayin "can a tv cable that i used for a Sony TV work on a Toshiba"

Answer 10

Go for it you can use that cord for your monitor also