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Installing a new hard drive, what parts do I need

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by lovemuffin, 2009/06/20.

  1. 2009/06/20
    lovemuffin

    lovemuffin Inactive Thread Starter

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    I've never installed a new hard drive before and I want to be sure of what the heck I am doing. I am buying this drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262 It's a Seagate Barracuda. Now, I want all new connections to this drive because they are just as old as the drive I am replacing. I was going to get this cable: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123111

    What else do I need? What is that ribbon cable called and what is it for? I'm thinking I should get a new one of those too. I know I sound completely clueless. If you need to know, my motherboard is this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131013 Please advise me! Remember, I have no clue what I'm doing so any basic things to look for are helpful.
     
    lovemuffin,
    #1
  2. 2009/06/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Replacing a hard drive is straightforward - physically the reverse of removing the old drive :)

    You have listed the 2 items required - drive + new cable, both SATA. You do not need a ribbon cable - these are for PATA drives, either hard drives or optical drives. If you have a ribbon cable connecting your optical drive(s) to the motherboard then they are PATA. If you have no problems with the existing cable save your money - they rarely become faulty.

    I assume you are replacing an old SATA drive, which I suspect you have as you are replacing the cable with the one above , so your power supply should have SATA power connectors.

    So it is just a matter of unplugging and removing the existing drive and reversing the process to install the new drive - and cable.

    To install the Operating System boot from your XP CD - check in the BIOS that the boot order is CD-ROM/DVD > Floppy if fitted > Hard Drive. Remember to install the motherboard chipset drivers which should be on a CD that came with the board.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2009/06/20
    lovemuffin

    lovemuffin Inactive Thread Starter

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    Ah, I peeked inside and the ribbon cable to connected from my DVD drive, so I guess I don't need that. I want a new SATA cable because my hard drive has been having problems that seem to get better when I press on the cable's connection. But my hard drive has bad clusters and I think it could be failing too. I'm not sure, but I just want to replace everything. I have another thread of the symptoms that have prompted me to get a new drive: http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-xp/84940-lots-problems-mostly-my-computer-wont-start-bsod.html
     
    lovemuffin,
    #3
  5. 2009/06/21
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    mattman,
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