Install HDD?

Question

Are all HDD same for any pc or do i need to know something before i buy a new HDD? IF i need to know something what is it and how will i know it? and one more thing, Do i need to install a new OS in my computer again if i change the HDD?

How will i know if what HDD my pc supports

Answer 1

They are 3.5"

Some are PATA and others are SATA.
Parallel ATA - Serial ATA

You need to know what your motherboard supports

Sata is the one to buy if your motherboard supports it.

You have different RPM speeds
5400
7200
10000

Different Cache sizes

Read More Here
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/adding-a-hard-drive.htm

Download Belarc Advisor to help you in know what you need.
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

You can also visit the manufactures website to determine what you need

Answer 2

No, none are the same, you may need to know a lot if you plan to buy a bargain-priced fire-sale item or it is for fitting in an ancient computer (ancient as in obsolete)

Install new OS, yes if you swap out the HD that the OS was supposedly installed on it. But there is little need for software configuration of any kind if you simply was adding an HD to a system.

Answer 3

It depends on what type of hard drive you will buy. And that's based on what your motherboard can support. So you might want to take your case off (unplug the power chord to be safe) and get a visual on where you will mount the drive and on what cable it will go.

If your second drive becomes your D: drive, for example, and not a replacement for your main C: drive, then the second drive becomes a 'slave' drive. For some computers and hard drives you might have to change the jumper setting on the second drive to make it a slave drive.

If your computer supports SATA drives I highly recommend them. There's no setup needed; they take very little energy to run and are lightening fast. Most new computers today support SATA.

In any event, your hard drive will come with very good documentation plus maybe an install CD and technical support if you need it.

Answer 4

Most of these answers are accurate except you don't necessarily have to reinstall your O/S. You should back up all data you don't want to lose, then if you are going to use the same hard drive in another system using the O/S on it, assuming it is Win XP, just do a repair install. Otherwise you will get caught in a continual reboot cycle. Check this link for information how to do a repair install.... http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

I suggest you print it out and follow the destructions ... erm, I mean, instructions carefully and you won't go wrong .....

Answer 5

while you're utilising the installation CD, it relatively is relatively incredibly trouble-free. while installation XP, make certain you accomplish that by skill of putting the installation disc into the CD stress and reboot the gadget. while the keyboard lighting fixtures furnishings flash, hit F12 till you hear a beep. this could carry you to the boot choose menu. choose the CD stress and then shop on with the instructions (only be confident you "hit any key" only after identifying on the CD stress). as quickly as interior the installation application, there'll be slightly which will ask you approximately partitions. Create a partition on the unpartitioned area (in many situations the command is "C") and make it the size you prefer it to be. After this, you would be delivered back to the partition reveal. Create yet another partition on the unpartitioned area with the size you prefer it to be. Repeat till you have used up each and every of the unpartitioned area. observe: undergo in strategies that with a view to eliminate a partition and connect it with yet another one, the two partitions might desire to be bumped off, which will thoroughly erase all information on those partitions. in basic terms a destiny warning must you desperate to accomplish that.

Answer 6

Buying a Hard disk drive? Hey, check this out:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,125778-page,3/article.html
http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;347279366
http://www.pcguide.com/buy/des/compHDD-c.html

HDD drives come with several interfaces, mainly IDE (PATA) and SATA. I suppose you will just need the IDE drives.

You do not need to switch OS;
However the older OS (and your computer system BIOS) like 98/ME may not recognize the larger sized hard disk.

Answer 7

If it is a new computer you will want a SATA II HDD. I'm sure your motherboard will support it.

If it's for an old computer or your just not sure just buy an EIDE, your computer will absolutely support that. They are cheap and you can get them anywhere.

Answer 8

Basically they are pretty universal. Most PCS automatically recognize new drives. Dont need a very large drive if you dont do much like write a book because a big drive it takes longer to find data stored on it because of the large size.

Answer 9

You need to know if your motherboard supports SATA drives...thats about it.

There are 2 basic HD's, IDE or SATA. They accept different types of plugs. All Motherboards have IDE connections...most newer boards accept SATA. SATA is faster at exchanging data...go with that one if your board has SATA connections (check your computer manufacturer's website for specs or a manual if you have it).

You will have to reinstall your operating system unless you decide to keep your old drive and install a second drive for storage only. Otherwise you will have to do a format and total reinstall of your operating system and all device drivers.