PC says Primary IDE Hard Drive not working under normal

[murray]

.. specifications and that i need to replace my hard disk drive. This was when i rebooted my computer. Im now working on quick mode.

I then called my PC Supplier and they told me run a test to see if my hard drive was working and it failed. So i have to get a new hard drive.

Can anybody help me out here? I need to buy a new hard drive but got no idea on what to do. Im pretty much a rookie at this. Im looking for a 120GB hard drive. Are all hard drives the same? Ive had a brief look at hard drives and i got confused as hell. Each 120GB IDE hard drive disk had a different description. They were all different type of IDE disks. Also whats a connecter? Do i have to get that as well?

Like this is a 120GB IDE disk :
http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sn...efurbished=&fe=

This is a 80GB IDE disk:
http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sn...uctlisting.aspx

Both seem quite different. Even both of them look different. Im confused.
Also will any 120GB hard drive work on my PC or would i need to find one that works for my system especially (Dell Dimension 4550).

Anyone be help me here that would be great coz im lost like nothing.

[jcnoernberg]

view this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_ATA

Any IDE hard drive will work. There are different specs, but unless you're doing something super critical, any of them will work for you. Just avoid and SCSI or SATA drives.

[jlreich]

To add to what jcnoernberg said, try to get one with a 8MB cache, 7200RPM and a three year warranty or more. Five year warranty is great but nothing at all wrong with a three year. ;)

And welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif forums. :)

[murray]

Thanks you lot.

Could you lot recommened any good 120GB IDE hard drive disks? I was going to get one off Dell but just found out they are a rip off.

[jcnoernberg]

I was going to get one off Dell but just found out they are a rip off.
and not a moment too soon...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144232

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144148

both under $80.00 shipped, and about as fast as you're gonna get.

I just bought my very first item off newegg... a sata hard drive actually, and i had no problems with them. im buying a motherboard and RAM right now...

[jlreich]

I was going to get one off Dell but just found out they are a rip off.
:eek: Never go to a manufacturer like Dell to get parts unless you absolutely have to. I remember the secretary at work called the manufacturer to get a replacement CD-ROM for an old computer she was giving away. They wanted $160 for a plain old CD-ROM. :eek: :mad: Had her get on Newegg and ordered a CD-RW for $21 shipped. :)

Newegg is great. I have bought all my computer parts from them over the last two years with the exception of small stuff like fans. Never one problem. ;)

[murray]

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=14557012949&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=52159

Hey you lot i found this HDD browsing around. What do you lot think of this one compared to the Maxtor HDD posted. I dont really know much about HDDisks, could anyone tell me whats the difference between the two? It seems to have got some good reviews though.

It says OEM too. Would that work on my system?

[jlreich]

Yeah that looks like good deal. :) OEM just means you will not get the fancy box and any software that might come with it. But you can download the software for free from Seagate if you need it.

[murray]

Ah right, thanks for the help mate.