Getting new HD, but not sure..

[alucardxmeow]

I don't know if I should ask this here but I tried posting it on my blog but as usual no one ever answers to it.

So if you guys can help me, I was looking for a new Hard Drive so I went on newegg and found this.

I never needed anything big like 1 TB since they cost about $100.

Anyway, it looked good and all but then my friend told me it had to be compatible with my BIOS or something like that. I know things about the computer software, but when it comes to installing new hardware, especially when it's something in the case then I'll have trouble. This is also my first time putting in something new (I'm adding this new hard drive, not replacing my old one).

So how would I know if it's compatible or not? I tried a google search but most of the links just told me how to put in a new HD but nothing about compatibility.

Oh and this demagnetizing...I heard you just touch metal or something but my friend said when he tried that so he could put in his new graphics card, his computer stopped working. So I'm always scared of touching anything in my computer when I'm cleaning it.

So yeah, any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Haggard]

At 6/24/09 05:22 PM, alucardxmeow wrote: Anyway, it looked good and all but then my friend told me it had to be compatible with my BIOS or something like that.

Not exactly compatible, your BIOS just has to detect the hard drive. If you have a relatively new computer you should have no problems here. Most important is that your operating system detects the hard drive (windows XP without any service pack can only administrate partitions up to 2 or 3 GB)

So how would I know if it's compatible or not? I tried a google search but most of the links just told me how to put in a new HD but nothing about compatibility.

Well, if you don't know what you are doing it's better to let someone who really knows what he's doing the work. And with "really knows" I mean REALLY KNOWS. Not like some friend who "is good with computers because he said so".
Take your PC and the HD to a shop and let them install it.

Oh and this demagnetizing...I heard you just touch metal or something but my friend said when he tried that so he could put in his new graphics card, his computer stopped working. So I'm always scared of touching anything in my computer when I'm cleaning it.

Just touching a heater just before you open the case should do the trick. It's not like a PC would explode if you aren't earthed, because... a PC can only work because it is connected to electricity, right? ;)

[xports]

At 6/24/09 06:11 PM, Haggard wrote: Just touching a heater just before you open the case should do the trick. It's not like a PC would explode if you aren't earthed, because... a PC can only work because it is connected to electricity, right? ;)

Of course, it's not going to explode, but critical components of your computer can be ruined if a spark is to arc from your body to the inside of your computer.

It's always smart to be grounded at all times. Just as long as you're touching the floor, you should discharge most static. Also, make sure that the floor you're working on is not carpeted, as that will help build a charge, and increase the chance that you will shock your computer. Always try and make sure that you're touching the metal computer case, as that will also discharge any static you may build up. Lastly, try not to open/change parts on a cold day. It's unbelievably easy to build up a charge in cold weather.

Just don't do anything stupid to build a charge while you have your computer open, and you should be fine.

[alucardxmeow]

At 6/24/09 06:11 PM, Haggard wrote: Stuff

Hey, sorry for not responding for awhile. I was playing L4D :P

I was thinking of taking it to someone to help me like maybe fry's but then my friend that built his computer said they charge like $50 just to install windows on it and $100 to put everything in so that's why I was thinking of just doing it myself. But I still don't know if it's compatible with my computer. I read something online and said the SATA has to be like a certain number or something something...blehh it's so much to learn. :\

At 6/24/09 06:41 PM, xports wrote: Of course, it's not going to explode, but critical components of your computer can be ruined if a spark is to arc from your body to the inside of your computer.

Hmm, my entire house is carpeted so maybe I should do this in the garage?

[Patcoola]

is your computer PATA or SATA?
if PATA find out if your ATA is at least ATA/ATAPI-6.

If you're unsure check the motherboard manufacture website for information or a BOIS update.

Most computers with a SATA controller will work with a 1TB right out of the box, or you can buy a SATA PCI card for about $30.

[Patcoola]

At 6/24/09 09:42 PM, alucardxmeow wrote: $50 just to install windows on it and $100 to put everything in so that's why I was thinking of just doing it myself.

that sounds about right, personal i charge $80 CAD if it's a HDD upgrade, else $40 to add as a second drive.

I wouldn't reinstall windows on the new drive, i would do a full disk to disk migration.

Note on picking a PC repair man:
If your IT guy doesn't know how to do a disk to disk copy. or provide some sort of documentation you shouldn't even be talking to him.

[Haggard]

At 6/24/09 06:41 PM, xports wrote:

At 6/24/09 06:11 PM, Haggard wrote: Just touching a heater just before you open the case should do the trick. It's not like a PC would explode if you aren't earthed, because... a PC can only work because it is connected to electricity, right? ;)

Of course, it's not going to explode, but critical components of your computer can be ruined if a spark is to arc from your body to the inside of your computer.

Yeah, that's right. But it should be enough to touch the heater before opening the PC. Or the case of the PC itself. I never had a problem with a carpeted floor, all PCs I build are still running fine, even though my entire flat is carpeted. ;)

[alucardxmeow]

At 6/24/09 09:54 PM, Patcoola wrote: is your computer PATA or SATA?
if PATA find out if your ATA is at least ATA/ATAPI-6.

If you're unsure check the motherboard manufacture website for information or a BOIS update.

Most computers with a SATA controller will work with a 1TB right out of the box, or you can buy a SATA PCI card for about $30.

Ermmm I know that I can search my motherboard's number to find it, but how would I know the website? Is it also printed onto the motherboard?

[Patcoola]

At 6/25/09 05:22 AM, alucardxmeow wrote: Ermmm I know that I can search my motherboard's number to find it, but how would I know the website? Is it also printed onto the motherboard?

yes it's also printed on the motherboard, assuming it's easily readable.

you can also find out the model and brand by running "msinfo32.exe"

or download cpu-z, it's free and provides easy info.

just visit your motherboards manufacturer website and search for your model.

[alucardxmeow]

At 6/25/09 07:32 PM, Patcoola wrote: yes it's also printed on the motherboard, assuming it's easily readable.

you can also find out the model and brand by running "msinfo32.exe"

or download cpu-z, it's free and provides easy info.

just visit your motherboards manufacturer website and search for your model.

Okay, it's SATA. So uh, now what?