Buying new hard drive - confused by options 2

[tsurikov]

Hi all,

I have a Dell Dimension 2100 desktop, originally bought 4 years ago. It now has a 20 GB IBM IDE hard drive. I'd now like to add another similar-capacity drive (20 or 40 GB).

It's been a while since I bought a drive for such systems, and last time I did so, all I needed to do was make sure the drive was "IDE". Now I go looking and I see IDE options like Ultra 66, Ultra 100, Ultra 133, along with acronyms like ATA and UDMA. These are unfamiliar to me.

How do I decide which one would work in my computer? I checked my Dell documentation, and all it gives me for the hard drive interface (onboard) is "IDE"... that's all, no other letters, acronyms, or numbers. I guess I'm behind the times on this one.

Thanks so much for listening and for any help!
--Michael

 

[ski]

A 40 GB may not be recognized by your system's BIOS.
If not, then either use the software that comes with the HD, or update the BIOS.
If that's not possible, then install a PCI IDE controller card.

WRT the ATA ratings, get one that's ATA 133 in case you either upgrade your MB, or get a new system.
It will work with your system, but it will run only as fast as the system's controller, which may be only ATA 33(unless you've installed a controller card as mentioned above).

 

[ski]

also, make sure the new HD is 7200 rpm.

 

[paparazi]

Ski
Almost definate the 20gig in there is ATA100

Also very likely if 20 was the original then the motherboard is very unlikely to have the 37gig limitation (too new) so a 40gig will be fine.

Also by saying it must be an ATA133 you are effectively saying it must be a Maxtor, as they were the only manufacturer to boast this faster speed although their drives are/were no faster than ATA100 drives.

Any Standard 3.5 inch 40gig ATA100/133 IDE hard drive will work just fine I'm sure.

7,200rpm recommended but they nearly all are now anyway.

Recommend Samsung and Seagate followed by Hitachi, Western Digital and Maxtor.



We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[tsurikov]

Thank you, Ski and Paparazi! I was somewhat afraid that if I, for instance, buy a 133 and my system can handle a maximum of 100, the drive wouldn't work at all. From your posts I understand that both ATA100 and ATA133 drives will likely work in my system. This is good!

Cheers!
--Michael

 

[ski]

paparizi,

Actually, it does not have to be a Maxtor:

http://www2.shopping.com/xPF-Samsung_Samsung_SpintPoint_SP0411N_40GB_ATA133_7200rpm_2MB_EIDE_Hard

http://www2.shopping.com/xPF-Hitachi_40_0GB_Hitachi_Deskstar_7K80_3_5_IDE_7200rpm_AT

 

[paparazi]

ski
Bet that took some finding!
So thats two manufactures with ATA133 drives, woopydo
Guess that means all the ATA100 drives are at least 33% slower then?

Errrr no

Think you kinda missed my point as well! and that wasn't to put you down!
just to inform that an ATA 133 interface doesn't necessarily make the drive any faster than one with ATA100.

Maxtor has been reeping the rewards of such missinformation for years and obviously Samsung has just jumped on the bandwagon (recently) because people will always buy what is percieved to be faster even though it insn't in real world.

I know standard drives are getting faster and pretty close "burst" at least, to 100mb/sec but sustained is more like mid 60's for most.

Yes a rant! sorry!

Oh look SATA 150!!! 50% quicker than ATA100?

Not!
rant rant lol.

Martin

















We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[garebo]

To Tsurikov

I can almost bet that your system can handle any 40 gig hard drive that you buy and likely any 60 gig h drive as well. It could be that you may have to update the bios for your dell, but thats easy to do if needed.

As for ultra 133, 100, 66, they are all compatible so you dont really have to be concerned about that part. But if you want the new hard drive to be the best it can be down the road in a newer system then yes make sure its ata 100 or ultra 100, same thing, its the 100 that matters, or 133, either one will do, 100 or 133.

Im just putting all this stuff together for you and trying to re-assure you its not all that complicated as it seems to be.
Paparazi made good choices for hard drives, i like the seagate and samsung and would buy them first, if not then the rest of the list. Seagate and samsung are quiet and seem to last longer than others. Personally i am getting away from maxtor and western digital but its a personal thing, dont be afraid to buy any new hard drive. There arent any new hard drives that i know of that are really bad.
And we can help you out if needed after you get the h drive.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

Another thing, if you are really concerned, email dell and ask them what size hard drive you can put in your system.
However, its pretty much understood that if your system can handle a 20 gig h drive then it likely can handle a 40 gig, even 60 or 80 gigs. Again, though, a simple email or phone call to dell can set your mind at ease.
And even if there were a problem, there are other ways around it. You can install a pci controller card, like a maxtor ultra 100 or promise ultra 100, they are the same thing just different names on them, and this pci controller card can handle the new drive you install if your system cant.
Still, it might be a good idea to try asking dell. If you dont get an answer then the answers here are likely correct anyway!


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[ski]

paparazi,

Not much time was spent at all.
Simply plugged a few keywords into a common product search engine, and viola!

Hmmmm.....
I do not recall ever saying that ATA/100 drives are 33% slower than ATA/133 drives.

I fully understood your point, and no offense taken.
I suggested getting an ATA/133 drive since it can possibly perform faster than an ATA/100(all other design parameters the same), and they're both about the same price.

 

[tsurikov]

Garebo, thank you very much for your clear and reassuring input! I don't think I would have gotten such a good answer from Dell support... My experience has been that Dell makes really good computers and has awful tech support. I once had a problem with the modem in this Dell when I installed Windows 2000 (it originally had XP)... called Dell support... and after about two hours got the answer that Dell supports only factory-installed hardware and software, so if I made any changes - including installing new software or OS - they can't help me!

End of anti-Dell tech support rant

I found a good deal on a Seagate 20 GB ATA100 drive, and bought it.

Cheers to all!
--Michael

 

[garebo]

Another thing you can do is borrow a hard drive from someone you know, say 40 gigs, just to see if your system will see it, i bet it will!!!
You can install it as slave.

Thanks for the kind words. Again, i would bet your system will see a 40 gig and larger hard drive just as it is and if not then just a bios upgrade that you can get from dell without having to talk to them, will allow for larger hard drives, if even needed at all, bet it would work just as it is.
Take care and thanks for the star. I am only a little guy here with only average abilities so i appreciate any star i get.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips