Computer hard drive needs replacing. Suggestions?

**Reservoir Dog** · 10-10-2008, 11:30 PM

The hard drive on my older laptop (Dell Inspiron 8200) is acting up. It is making some weird clicking noises that last a few seconds, and the computer freezes up during this, but returns to normal after the clicking stops. This happens a couple of times per minute. I have no idea what is going on.

Anyway, this is my older laptop, and I only use it for internet access and some general computing. No gaming. So, I thought about getting a new hard drive and installing the Ubuntu OS everyone is raving about, and maybe partitioning the drive with XP.

The old drive is a Toshiba 2.5", 40GB, Ultra ATA, 5400rpm. Any suggestions for a decent hard drive in those specs? Should I stick with Toshiba? Any opinions on Western Digital or Seagate drives? Any help is appreciated.

**mikedwood** · 10-11-2008, 12:28 AM

I'd make sure to get a 5400 speed hard drive. Brand doesn't seem to matter much, I don't think. They can all go bad. I get most of my computer stuff from geeks.com.
Also I use Ubuntu and it's OK.
My 2 cents.

**ScottD** · 10-11-2008, 12:44 AM

I have a 120GB up for grabs in the pay it forward section. Let me know if you want it.

DOH just realized that its a laptop. My drive wont work for you.

**enfield** · 10-11-2008, 07:16 AM

Get the biggest drive you can afford. I've had Seagate, Western Digital and Maxtor drives and I prefer the Maxtor. I've had early failures with Seagate & WD. YMMV.

**DRM** · 10-11-2008, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enfield

Get the biggest drive you can afford. I've had Seagate, Western Digital and Maxtor drives and I prefer the Maxtor. I've had early failures with Seagate & WD. YMMV.

Why? It's just a knock-around web lappy, and it seems like the 40gb has served him well - so why spend all kinds of cash to replace it with some huge hard drive?

On the contrary, I'd look for a screaming deal online for a NOS drive of similar size (40-80) and slap that in there and call it done.

**enfield** · 10-11-2008, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRM

Why? It's just a knock-around web lappy, and it seems like the 40gb has served him well - so why spend all kinds of cash to replace it with some huge hard drive?

On the contrary, I'd look for a screaming deal online for a NOS drive of similar size (40-80) and slap that in there and call it done.

He wants to install both XP and Ubuntu on the same drive. I'm sure he'd like to have some room left for applications, files and swap space.

**greenego** · 10-11-2008, 08:14 AM

I would get the biggest drive you can find. The cost will not be that much different. Just make sure what ever you get will fit in the laptop. There is not much room to play with.

**c.a.s.** · 10-11-2008, 09:24 AM

www.tigerdirect.com is a very good place to get electronics and computer parts. www.newegg.com has some awesome deals on electronics and computer parts, but doesn't have quite the selection.

**DaveTN** · 10-11-2008, 09:30 AM

I bought my new drive (and a bunch of other stuff) for my Toshiba laptop from Newegg.
I have been very pleased with them. They ship fast and have the best prices I have found.

It looks like you can get a 120GB ATA drive for around 70 bucks or less.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

**Reservoir Dog** · 10-11-2008, 11:11 AM

Thanks to everybody for the suggestions. I have not made up my mind about the dual OS yet, but I will probably bump up the storage capacity, as things are pretty inexpensive these days.

I have another question: I did a Google search of my old hard drive's model number, and it was listed as being a Ultra ATA (ATA-100) drive. I see drives listed as ATA and SATA. Are these compatable? I don't want to order a new drive, and it have a different set of pin connectors.

10-10-2008, 11:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Reservoir Dog TGO Senior Member Joined: Jul 2008 Where: Nashville Posts: 752	Computer hard drive needs replacing. Suggestions? The hard drive on my older laptop (Dell Inspiron 8200) is acting up. It is making some weird clicking noises that last a few seconds, and the computer freezes up during this, but returns to normal after the clicking stops. This happens a couple of times per minute. I have no idea what is going on. Anyway, this is my older laptop, and I only use it for internet access and some general computing. No gaming. So, I thought about getting a new hard drive and installing the Ubuntu OS everyone is raving about, and maybe partitioning the drive with XP. The old drive is a Toshiba 2.5", 40GB, Ultra ATA, 5400rpm. Any suggestions for a decent hard drive in those specs? Should I stick with Toshiba? Any opinions on Western Digital or Seagate drives? Any help is appreciated. __________________ The spread of evil is the symptom of a vacuum. Whenever evil wins, it is only by default: by the moral failure of those who evade the fact that there can be no compromise on basic principles. -- Ayn Rand

10-11-2008, 12:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
mikedwood TGO Senior Member Joined: Mar 2008 Where: Oak Ridge, Tn Age: 41 Posts: 1,029	I'd make sure to get a 5400 speed hard drive. Brand doesn't seem to matter much, I don't think. They can all go bad. I get most of my computer stuff from geeks.com. Also I use Ubuntu and it's OK. My 2 cents. __________________ "Was the government to prescribe to us our medicine and diet, our bodies would be in such keeping as our souls are now." Thomas Jefferson “When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” Benjamin Franklin FREE THE SEALS!!!!

10-11-2008, 07:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
enfield Smell that, Bill? Moderator Joined: Dec 2007 Where: Tennessee Posts: 813	Get the biggest drive you can afford. I've had Seagate, Western Digital and Maxtor drives and I prefer the Maxtor. I've had early failures with Seagate & WD. YMMV. __________________ - enfield Moderator: Long Guns Forum, Ammunition & Reloading Forum

10-11-2008, 09:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
c.a.s. TGO Senior Member Joined: Jun 2007 Where: Clinton, Tennessee Age: 18 Posts: 1,144	www.tigerdirect.com is a very good place to get electronics and computer parts. www.newegg.com has some awesome deals on electronics and computer parts, but doesn't have quite the selection. __________________ The best vermin target EVER! (Now plus book!) Currently raptus regaliter. "Sentio aliquos togatos contra me conspirare!" (Note: it's latin)

10-11-2008, 11:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
Reservoir Dog TGO Senior Member Joined: Jul 2008 Where: Nashville Posts: 752	Thanks to everybody for the suggestions. I have not made up my mind about the dual OS yet, but I will probably bump up the storage capacity, as things are pretty inexpensive these days. I have another question: I did a Google search of my old hard drive's model number, and it was listed as being a Ultra ATA (ATA-100) drive. I see drives listed as ATA and SATA. Are these compatable? I don't want to order a new drive, and it have a different set of pin connectors. __________________ The spread of evil is the symptom of a vacuum. Whenever evil wins, it is only by default: by the moral failure of those who evade the fact that there can be no compromise on basic principles. -- Ayn Rand

10-11-2008, 12:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
ScottD TGO Member Joined: Jan 2008 Where: La Vergne, TN Age: 25 Posts: 425	I have a 120GB up for grabs in the pay it forward section. Let me know if you want it. DOH just realized that its a laptop. My drive wont work for you.

10-11-2008, 08:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
greenego TGO Senior Member Joined: Dec 2007 Where: Powell TN Age: 56 Posts: 577	I would get the biggest drive you can find. The cost will not be that much different. Just make sure what ever you get will fit in the laptop. There is not much room to play with.

10-11-2008, 09:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
DaveTN TGO Senior Member Joined: Apr 2007 Where: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 3,074	I bought my new drive (and a bunch of other stuff) for my Toshiba laptop from Newegg. I have been very pleased with them. They ship fast and have the best prices I have found. It looks like you can get a 120GB ATA drive for around 70 bucks or less. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

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