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Thread ID: 53411 2005-01-16 22:45:00 Buying old hard drives mejobloggs (264) Press F1
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314882 2005-01-16 22:45:00 Just some info to start:
Current PC
Disk Drive: ST340016A (40 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Motherboard: MSI KT3 Ultra-ARU (MS-6380E)

Now, I want to buy an old harddrive, around 4gb, because I have a 3gb partition that I want to move off my main drive.

I saw this website http://www.ptlcomputers.co.nz/ in a local newspaper, and they sell 'refurbished' computer stuff, and they said they have 4gb IDE hard drives for $20.

I said I wanted a 4gb ATA drive, because that is what my current one is, and they said that they only have IDE ones, and they don't know if it will work on my computer.

And, since I dont have a clue, im asking you guys if it would work.

Thanks!
mejobloggs (264)
314883 2005-01-16 22:47:00 ATA (AT Attachment) and IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) are the same. godfather (25)
314884 2005-01-16 22:49:00 Cool, thanks! So do i just have to get an ATA cord or something? mejobloggs (264)
314885 2005-01-16 23:03:00 with the exception of 'sata' drives, which are a little different in their method of connection, all IDE drives are ATA drives and are 'standardised'....... drcspy (146)
314886 2005-01-16 23:41:00 If my guess is right you want the second drive to hold backup data? That being the case wouldn't it be better to get the least expensive brand new drive for the job Greg (193)
314887 2005-01-16 23:44:00 yeh shop around a new 40gb hdd is only about $80 these days...... drcspy (146)
314888 2005-01-16 23:47:00 Agree with the above, any 4GB HDD will be well past it's "use by" date now for any reliable storage. godfather (25)
314889 2005-01-17 00:12:00 A bit off topic, but I'm curious about whether a second drive on primary slave or secondary slave or master, while not being accessed - does it actually spin?

I use a second drive to hold my backups, and rarely access it more than 1/2 an hour a day. Just wondering will it be subject to the same mechanical wear as my primary master?
Greg (193)
314890 2005-01-17 00:23:00 A bit off topic, but I'm curious about whether a second drive on primary slave or secondary slave or master, while not being accessed - does it actually spin?

I use a second drive to hold my backups, and rarely access it more than 1/2 an hour a day. Just wondering will it be subject to the same mechanical wear as my primary master?

That is a good question and I will be interested in the answer! I have a spare drive that I put in an external USB case and only plug it in when I want to do a back up or drive image. I wonder if there is more wear and tear on an external drive that only gets cranked up every now and again, compared with one that lives in the case at working temperature like yours does.

Also, I keep my external drive in a lockable tin cupboard in the garage for security, and in the winter it is extremely cold when I take it out to use it. Maybe I should let it come up to room temperature like a good red wine before I use it...
John H (8)
314891 2005-01-17 00:42:00 Unless you have your settings to turn off the drives after a set time of inactivity, then yes it will spin. godfather (25)
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