ultra ata/100 compatability

bluesod · 10-16-2009, 12:43 PM

I've been dealing with computer issues up in the windows xp forum... here. I suppose the conclusion is that I need a new hard drive. All three utilities have found a failure. HDtune and Everest found a reallocation failure. And my bios self test just simply fails.

I've taken my hdd out and found it to be a 120g ultra ata/100. I need a little help shopping. I know I need to buy a 2.5" internal hdd. But i'm confused with the udma ,ata, ultra, bs.

I'm assuming that I can only use ultra ata? Does the speed really matter for me(100/133)? I'm hoping you'll just point me toward what I need. This is my daughters computer for school work and such. So I just want it running again.

**raptor_pa** · 10-16-2009, 12:55 PM

Basically, so long as it is an ide/eide interface it will work. The speed is the max, the drive will adjust for the port capabilities and vice versa, they will negotiate the faster speed both can do.

bluesod · 10-16-2009, 01:19 PM

Really? Even the 3.5" drives? I wasn't even looking at ide/eide. More acronyms....yee haw!

Though I suppose all ata is ide/eide. But I'm still seeing a big range in price for drives that appear to "work" for me. Should I just pick the cheapest and be done? Or are there some brands to avoid....or other specs I should be considering? I might be over thinking this one, but I hate buying anything when i'm confused.

My computer

**raptor_pa** · 10-16-2009, 09:32 PM

What was the make and model of the old drive. Yes it is the same for 3.5 and 2.5 on some laptops there is an adapter that is on the ide connector and yes ide/ata/pata are interchangeable terms. They specify both the connector and the max speed and signalling for the data. I don't know of anyone building a really bulletproof drive, the prices on drives have turned them into a commodity. Everyone is making good ones and bad ones. IThe only ones I would stay away from are Seagate Momentus 3 and Momentus 4 - not bad drives per se, but when they do fail they seem to fail harder than others.

10-16-2009, 12:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
bluesod Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 13 OS: xp SP3 MEDIA CENTER	ultra ata/100 compatability I've been dealing with computer issues up in the windows xp forum... here. I suppose the conclusion is that I need a new hard drive. All three utilities have found a failure. HDtune and Everest found a reallocation failure. And my bios self test just simply fails. I've taken my hdd out and found it to be a 120g ultra ata/100. I need a little help shopping. I know I need to buy a 2.5" internal hdd. But i'm confused with the udma ,ata, ultra, bs. I'm assuming that I can only use ultra ata? Does the speed really matter for me(100/133)? I'm hoping you'll just point me toward what I need. This is my daughters computer for school work and such. So I just want it running again.

10-16-2009, 12:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
raptor_pa Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 4,821 OS: XP	Re: ultra ata/100 compatability Basically, so long as it is an ide/eide interface it will work. The speed is the max, the drive will adjust for the port capabilities and vice versa, they will negotiate the faster speed both can do. __________________

10-16-2009, 01:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
bluesod Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 13 OS: xp SP3 MEDIA CENTER	Re: ultra ata/100 compatability Really? Even the 3.5" drives? I wasn't even looking at ide/eide. More acronyms....yee haw! Though I suppose all ata is ide/eide. But I'm still seeing a big range in price for drives that appear to "work" for me. Should I just pick the cheapest and be done? Or are there some brands to avoid....or other specs I should be considering? I might be over thinking this one, but I hate buying anything when i'm confused. My computer Last edited by bluesod; 10-16-2009 at 01:24 PM.

10-16-2009, 09:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
raptor_pa Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 4,821 OS: XP	Re: ultra ata/100 compatability What was the make and model of the old drive. Yes it is the same for 3.5 and 2.5 on some laptops there is an adapter that is on the ide connector and yes ide/ata/pata are interchangeable terms. They specify both the connector and the max speed and signalling for the data. I don't know of anyone building a really bulletproof drive, the prices on drives have turned them into a commodity. Everyone is making good ones and bad ones. IThe only ones I would stay away from are Seagate Momentus 3 and Momentus 4 - not bad drives per se, but when they do fail they seem to fail harder than others. __________________