new HDD questions

Brainlesswonder · 11-10-2009, 02:52 PM

Hi,

My mom's computer is having a few issues. Running diagnostics resulted in a error HD521-2W which I understand to mean that a new HDD is in order.

The current HDD is an IDE by Western Digitial. The op system is XP, service pack 2. The motherboard is an MS-6577 ver 4.1. BIOS date is listed at 5/9/2005 and I did not find an update at HP (the computer is a Presario SR1504X).

I am having a brain freeze at the moment (due to an impending migraine, I think) and having googled for quite some time, I'm relying on your help, please.

Will this sucker handle a SATA device? Are there limitations on size of drive that can be installed? What is your fave place to get quality HDD for the best use of $$? Money is tight for my us right now.

Also, somewhere in the last two hours of googling, someone mentioned the use of a software/freeware program "Big drive enabler" or something like that to use when windows or bios will not recognize a large HDD. Does it work? Do you recommend it's use?

Thanks so much. I appreciate all your help more than you know. It's been a while since I've added a HDD, and am drawing a blank at the moment. Have a good one!
MM

Dogg · 11-11-2009, 08:01 AM

That MB doesn't have any SATA ports. I would simply get another IDE drive. And I wouldn't expect size to be an issue, but in any case, the drive manufacturers provide software to get around it if needed.

I prefer newegg.com

11-10-2009, 02:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Brainlesswonder Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1 OS: xp	new HDD questions Hi, My mom's computer is having a few issues. Running diagnostics resulted in a error HD521-2W which I understand to mean that a new HDD is in order. The current HDD is an IDE by Western Digitial. The op system is XP, service pack 2. The motherboard is an MS-6577 ver 4.1. BIOS date is listed at 5/9/2005 and I did not find an update at HP (the computer is a Presario SR1504X). I am having a brain freeze at the moment (due to an impending migraine, I think) and having googled for quite some time, I'm relying on your help, please. Will this sucker handle a SATA device? Are there limitations on size of drive that can be installed? What is your fave place to get quality HDD for the best use of $$? Money is tight for my us right now. Also, somewhere in the last two hours of googling, someone mentioned the use of a software/freeware program "Big drive enabler" or something like that to use when windows or bios will not recognize a large HDD. Does it work? Do you recommend it's use? Thanks so much. I appreciate all your help more than you know. It's been a while since I've added a HDD, and am drawing a blank at the moment. Have a good one! MM

11-11-2009, 08:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 2,064 OS: XP sp3	Re: new HDD questions That MB doesn't have any SATA ports. I would simply get another IDE drive. And I wouldn't expect size to be an issue, but in any case, the drive manufacturers provide software to get around it if needed. I prefer newegg.com __________________ Google is your friend !