WTB: ~10 GB IDE HD - Prefer Western Digital

[Chrismckinless]

Hey guys-

Im looking for a Hard disk, around 10 GB. I have a Western Digital 6.4 GB drive and like it alot, I want to add another drive and was thinking about going WD again. Ive been looking for an 8.4 GB drive, the 28400 model. Does anyone have this one for sale?

Also, if not WD, what kind of Hard Drive should I be looking for. I have a very old system, so I dont know if I can support something real new. Thanks and let me know if you have something for sale.

Chris

[PC_Fanatic]

Hi Chris,

I don't have a drive for sale, but just wanted to let you know that there are options available even for older systems. If your motherboard has a flash bios, you may be able to download an updated bios from the mobo manufacturer. You will then be able to use the newer, larger drives which are more readily available. Check to make sure that your operating system will also support the larger drive. With the new drives selling for as little as $1 per Gigabyte, buying a smaller used drive may not be the best solution. I successfully flashed a PII 400 Mhz system, and updated to a 60GB Western Digital drive ( for 60 bucks).

Good luck!

[Chrismckinless]

Thanks for the reply. I just bought an updated BIOS from ESupport.com. I flashed it first, but something wierd happened so they sent me a new chip. I think my computer can now support bigger drives, but how can I check?

Chris

[PC_Fanatic]

The new bios should support autodetecting the hard drive. Boot to the BIOS setup screen and select autodetect. If it detects the drive correctly and doesn't underreport the drive size, you're in business.

If the computer locks up during autodetect or simply ignores the drive completely, the bios is not capable of reading the drive. If autodetect is not an option, try to manually enter the drive parameters into the user defined fields (cylinder, heads, sectors, etc.).

It is possible to work around bios limitations through drive overlays, alternate drive jumper settings, etc. These are useless. A better solution is to find the right bios image for your motherboard and reflash the bios.

[Tomteriffic]

Chris, if you DO get a WD drive, they have tools on their website for partitioning, formatting etc., and one of the tools automatically checks your BIOS to see if you need the drive overlay software, and, at your option, installs it.

These are excellent versions of the tools and really the only "gotcha" is making sure that you elect not to install the Data Laifeguard Lifeline software. It's kinda a spyware thing, although all it does is run in the background and, if you're online, downloads updates for the Lifeguard application. Still, it's stealthy (which makes me not like it) and it's one more doggone application eating up processor cycles and memory.

Having said that, I have a WD 6.4 gigger, which is now referred to as a 6.4 AA. It started out life as the classic 36400 and I paid a screamin' bundle for it. This is the second time it's been back for refurbing (I actually got new drives each time). Since it's been back, it's never been installed in anything. I was kind of saving it either for my son's computer when it inevitably croaks, or for just some stupid sentimental reason.

So, what I'm getting at, is, I'm still deciding whether I want to part with it, as it's predecessors were absolute workhorses back when 6.4 was a big drive, and gave me many years of good service, made some good music, etc.

If you're interested in it, PM me. I'll check the build date and warranty status in the meantime. Heatware references unter Tomteriffic

[PC_Fanatic]

Tom, I'm old enough to remember when hard drives were over $1 PER MEG. I just bought another WD 60GB drive at Best Buy for $60. Remember that when you sell that old wonderful drive to Chris. Give him a good deal. :-)

[Chrismckinless]

Thanks guys, Im checking all my options. Still looking though. I may check out the local community college and thrift stores for handouts. We'll see how it goes.

I may also check into buying a new drive. What stores usually sell quality hard drives?

Chris

I remember buying an IMB 15GB in 1999 for $165 and thinking what a great deal I got.

That's not too long back.

[Tomteriffic]

Originally posted by PC_Fanatic
Tom, I'm old enough to remember when hard drives were over $1 PER MEG. I just bought another WD 60GB drive at Best Buy for $60. Remember that when you sell that old wonderful drive to Chris. Give him a good deal. :-)

Yup And I remember when a 4 meg RAM upgrade was $650 too!!

Chris, one place that has consistently great prices, great service and is generally recommended all the way around is http://www.newegg.com.

I'm a bit odd in that I have no time or patience for rebates, so I don't mess with places like Beast Buy and such with their rebate shell games. I'd prefer to just get the better price right off the bat. NewEgg does that for me, as do a couple of local mom-and-pop shops.

[JacobM5727]

i have a western digital WD100

10.0 Gb
ide hard drive
depening on shipping, possibly $30 shipped?

pricewatch has 20gb drives starting at $50 - so 50% of that plus shipping

the drive is in pretty good shape, i would check it out before sending it

if you are still looking for one let me know

however i have no heatware or anything... unless you do, i would likely ask you to pay first.. and base my reliability on my reputation here? (i assume i have a good one )

i have heatware under JacobM5727 - but there are no evalutations

also, it is the drive only - no screws/cable