HD upgrade

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I've a desktop I've had from new (September 2005!!) running XP. Has an 80gb HD, which is at about 95% full with music. The darn thing is getting slow again, and 4OD etc now won't support the ageing IE I'm using, so it's due a bit of a reformatt (something I used to do regularly to keep the speed up of the machine, but have neglected since 2008/2009).

Was in the spa pool at the gym this evening, and as it does my mind wondered, and I have decided to do a little up grade. Basically I want to make the machine my media unit as I've already my 5:1 sound system wired up to it, nothing powerful, just to run iTunes, and all the TV web channels such as iPlayer and 4OD etc.

So once reformatted I plan on updating the web browser which should sort out the online streaming issue, and for my ever expanding music collection I've decided to get a new HD just for the music to sit on (the only data that will be stored on the machine).

So basically, am I correct in believing I can just buy a 500gb or 1tb HD and it should plug and play and be recognised as a slave (wiring harnesses is in place in the tower).

Sorry about the mega post for a simple question really.

 

[jip0]

yes if your psu is powerful enough

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

yes if your psu is powerful enough

How do I find / work out if it is

 

[jip0]

what wattage is your psu? should say on the side somewhere

also just thought is your mother board sata capable coz if its not that size hard drive using IDE is going to expensive!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Dunno, I'll have to check the wattage, also how do I tell if the motherboard is Sata compatible? It's got a Sata drive in it ATM I believe so I assume it is

 

[jip0]

download and install

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/pc-wizard.html

then click devices and under SCSI controllers see if it says Serial ATA anywhere

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

download and install

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/pc-wizard.html

then click devices and under SCSI controllers see if it says Serial ATA anywhere

Cheers, I'll give it a god when next on the desktop

 

[ChrisUK]

or check the spec from the make and model (if it was bought and not built of course). If you need an IDE don't forget to set the jumper on the drive to select it as slave or put both of the hard disks into CS (cable select).

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

It was an iQon desktop from Tesco company has gone bust now

What's cable select? My heads starting to hurt, though it's be simple

 

[Magic Johnson]

Just get an external one.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Just get an external one.

No I want an internal one, had enough of faffing with external.

 

[Magic Johnson]

1) Your PC may not have the power to run another HDD
2) It may be IDE (lol)
3) Even the ATAs are expensive now.

In fact, I can't even find a 1TB IDE drive. Either get an external one, or stop being a tightwad and get a new PC.

 

[jip0]

It was an iQon desktop from Tesco company has gone bust now

What's cable select? My heads starting to hurt, though it's be simple

i use to have an iqon from tescos was my first ever computer and was a christmas present haha

if its the same type i had it doesn't have SATA

to set it to slave or cable select on the back of the HD there will be a bunch of pins and a little plastic bit that connects the two pins, this determines if it is master, slave or cable select

tbh the easiest and cheapest way for you would be to get an external drive then you have the added bonus of it being portable.

internal is going to be costly

 

[ChrisUK]

A 1TB internal in IDE is going to cost £100-£150 at current prices.

Can get a Desktop Unit (without monitor) on Ebuyer (without Windows license ) for like £250 which comes with 1TB hard disk .

Wasteful I know but that's cheap electronics for you.

Edit:- They've actually reduced it to £219.99 INC VAT! and increased the spec!!

http://www.ebuyer.com/337174-zoostorm-desktop-pc-7873-1051

Intel Pentium Dual Core Sandybridge G630 2.7GHz
8GB RAM
1TB HDD
DVD Writer
Intel HD
No Operating System

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

i use to have an iqon from tescos was my first ever computer and was a christmas present haha

if its the same type i had it doesn't have SATA

to set it to slave or cable select on the back of the HD there will be a bunch of pins and a little plastic bit that connects the two pins, this determines if it is master, slave or cable select

tbh the easiest and cheapest way for you would be to get an external drive then you have the added bonus of it being portable.

internal is going to be costly

Buggar lol. It's got the black front that slides down to reveal the 3.5inch drive and memory card reader

Seems a waist but new machine might be more viable, then again I could just buy another external HD and leave it constantly plugged into the rear of it aswell. Hmmmmmm :chin:

 

[Magic Johnson]

Or if you want a pseudo-NAS buy an external HDD and a router with a USB port, then you don't have to worry about having anything plugged in to your PC, or turning your PC on to access media.