Suitable Hard Drive

spud17

M/Board is GigaByte GA-7VKMLS
Processor is AMD-Duron 1.3mhz
512mbRAM
HD is Maxtor 2F020L0 (20GB).5400rpm

I am looking to install another HD, but I have noticed these days all seem to be 7200rpm.

Potentially is there a compatibility problem?

I already use a 2nd HD for backup of certain files using Synctoy, then to DVD.
I was thinking of getting something big enough to allow me to install a Linux distro along with XP.

My XP is the OEM version so if my HD failed , am I going to have trouble with Microsoft when re-activating XP?

akaddcmp

hi spud

in regards to getting a hard drive for your pc, there would be no issues in terms of compatibility because of the speed. you could get yourself a 7200rpm or even a 10000 rpm hard drive! that is not the issue.

you will however need to buy an IDE hard drive, the newer SATA hard drives will not work on your board because your board does not have the connection.

you have 2 ide ports on your motherboard, these will accomodate upto 4 ata devices (hard drives/cd drives)

you say you already have 2 hard drives, the only thing you need to check is if you also have 2 cd drives as this will mean that you have placed the maximum devices on your board and you will not be able to fit another drive unless you remove a drive.

If you currently have 2 hard drives and 1 optical(CD) drive then you can fit another hard drive just make sure it is IDE.

you may need to change jumper settings behind the hard drive when you fit it in however please post on here once you get the hard drive and im sure someone will talk you through it - or pm me if you wish.

i havent posted on this forum alot so please forgive me if i have ranted on for too long.

regards

akaddcmp

spud17

Thanks for the reply,
The speed thing was the main question.
I already understand about the ide/sata.

Have 2x HD, DVD and CD, hence last line what if main drive "failed", and I have to get new one, how does that affect OEM licence?

I don't need need loads of space for photos etc, but just enough to fit 2/3 different OS's.

akaddcmp

well spud

if the main hard drive failed you wil need to reinstall on the other hard drive and you should already have a product key on the sticker. the only thing is that you will need to install the version of xp which you are licenced for eg. xp home/proffesional.

if you encounter difficulties then you will need to call up microsloth and try and explain the situation to them.

you could however ghost your current image onto a seperate hard drive just for security/backup purposes however you will need a boootable ghost floppy/cd.

stick to ubuntoo/gentoo!

Regards AKADDCMP

richyrichuk

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3NwZWNpZmljYXRpb25z&product_uid=118076&spec_type=ZXh0ZW5kZWQ=

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3NwZWNpZmljYXRpb25z&product_uid=115413&spec_type=ZXh0ZW5kZWQ=

depends how much space you need/want....

ormus

you need to loose the cd drive to install another ide hdd.
i use the caddy system, so that i can change a hdd/OS very quickly.
i have 4 hdd,s (XP, win2k, linux, data/only)
caddys are about 7 or 8 quid each.

richyrichuk

just USB or firewire it in if needs be. depends how u wanna do it dude. caddys are good. just depends if u need to use all at once...(well if u cba restarting)

spud17

Thanks for all the replies.

The main question was about the speed issue. I now know that's not an issue.

The 2nd part, perhaps I didn't explain too well, was about my OEM licence which is linked to my PC. I understand that an OEM licence is tied to the PC in its original specification at first activation.
Hence, What if my HD "fails"?;) (It's in good health)

Cheers guys, I understand all about caddies etc, I was just looking for a HD big enough for 2/3 systems to replace my current main HD.

elite_2

spud17 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

The main question was about the speed issue. I now know that's not an issue.

The 2nd part, perhaps I didn't explain too well, was about my OEM licence which is linked to my PC. I understand that an OEM licence is tied to the PC in its original specification at first activation.
Hence, What if my HD "fails"?;) (It's in good health)

Cheers guys, I understand all about caddies etc, I was just looking for a HD big enough for 2/3 systems to replace my current main HD.

You own the license and should be able to install on as many devices as you like as long as they wont be running concurrently

I would of thought if you get any kind of lockout and give the provider a call they should sort any restrictions pretty quickly

PS: Never experienced being locked out in many upgrades myself, I'm sure someone more knowledgable will explain the ins and outs and correct any errors I've made...

GoofyGAT

spud17 wrote: »

The 2nd part, perhaps I didn't explain too well, was about my OEM licence which is linked to my PC. I understand that an OEM licence is tied to the PC in its original specification at first activation.

spud17, you're right. Although you're allowed to make changes/upgrades up to a point.

elite wrote: »

You own the license and should be able to install on as many devices as you like as long as they wont be running concurrently

elite, remember this is an OEM version. You can only do what you say with the retail version, & have it installed on only one machine at any given time (I suppose that's what you meant by, 'as long as they wont be running concurrently').

spud17 wrote: »

Hence, What if my HD "fails"?;) (It's in good health)

If you don't have the OEM install disk, it would be best to create regular 'image' backups using Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image (older versions available relatively cheaply on eBay). Or, you can use a similar free alternative if available.

If you have the OEM disk the above method is still the best as it backs up everything. But, if not, you can always reinstall afresh & call MS to reactivate, explaining what had happened. If you don't do image backups, then regular manual data/email/media backups are highly recommended. G

elite_2

GoofyGAT wrote: »

elite, remember this is an OEM version. You can only do what you say with the retail version, & have it installed on only one machine at any given time (I suppose that's what you meant by, 'as long as they wont be running concurrently').

Thanks for the clarification, yes I believe I am free to install on as many configs as i Like as long as I only use one at a time - yes I have retail