Buying a new hard drive - compatibility w/ computer

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by lazarus04, Apr 10, 2008.

  1. lazarus04

    lazarus04 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    Hey guys! My comp's HD has conked out on me and I'm wondering if you guys could help me figure out if the HD I want to buy as a replacement is going to be compatible with my comp. I'm pretty computer savy, but I haven't gotten around to familiarising myself with computer HDs yet, and every single time I go to the Best Buy or Future Shop, I always end up knowing more about what I'm talking about than the guy helping me. Which sucks really. lol! Anyway, here are the specs:

    My computer's a DELL Dimension 5150 Desktop. (I'd get the specs for it if I could turn the darn thing on. Grrr)

    The original hard drive is a Samsung SpinPoint 160GB 3.5th SATA 2 7200 RPM HDD w/ 8MB Buffer.

    I want to replace it with a Western Digital 250GB 3.5 x 1/3 H SATA-300 7200 RPM HDD w/ 8MB Buffer.



    Is the new drive going to be compatible you think?
     
    lazarus04, Apr 10, 2008
    #1
  2. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Messages:
    33,335
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    118
    See my post in your other thread, it may not be your hard drive. The drive you have outlined will, however, be compatible with your PC should you choose to change, but check the PSU first. Since it's a Dell you may have to speak to Dell directly about requiring a replacement. You'd be wise to do that first though in case the dodgy PSU damages the new hard drive, it's happened before to many people, myself included.
     
    sammorris, Apr 10, 2008
    #2
  3. lazarus04

    lazarus04 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    Hmm, good point sammoris. I'm completely flumoxed. Only thing I know is, if I unhook the HDD from the psu, the computer's fine. If I unhook the HDD from the mobo, the computer's fine. It's only when the HDD is hooked up to both the psu and the mobo that the comp craps out...if it's the mobo, that's it. I give up. I was told that the mobo in the dell dimension series comps are non standard and that you can't just go out and buy any old replacement. Ain't no way I'm gonna pay Dell 300$ to replace a faulty mobo with the exact same one.

    But I think I'll take your advice about getting the psu changed first. It's less expensive than a 200$ HDD. Might as well start with the less expensive parts and work my way up, lol

    And this comes right after I spill a gigantic glass of milk on my acer laptop...sigh.
     
    lazarus04, Apr 10, 2008
    #3

Share This Page