hard drive question

[x-anubis-x]

ok, well i have a fairly old hard drive and i was wondering if it will be compatible with my newer system as long as i have the correct connection? if i have nothing to worry about (compatibility wise) do i just plug it in, start up my computer, then reformat it?

 

[w/e]

I think it'll work fine. But these days you would want a 250 GB HD enclosed and then a portable 80 GB for more valuable files.

 

[corvusHaunt]

Pretty much, yes. Your connection will probably be ATA if it is an older hard drive, or Serial ATA (SATA) if after 2003 (when SATA was made). An IDE (ATA) connection will be indicated by a grayish ribbon looking cable connecting the hard drive and motherboard. A SATA will be a thin, flat cable that connects on smooth jumpers.
IDE and SATA

Depending on your motherboard, you may have both IDE and SATA connectors. There are also adapters you can buy.

 

[x-anubis-x]

ok cool, i'll give it a shot later tonight. also, just thought of this...if by chance the harddrive does have a virus or something, is there any way for it to spread to my main hd?

 

[corvusHaunt]

That is really the point of a virus :/
If you have any fears, wipe it first on your old pc, then plug it in to your new one.

 

[x-anubis-x]

that what i thought. the only problem with wiping it on the old pc is that im not sure if it still works =P. hmm the only reason im paranoid at all is because my sister had it for about a year and she's not the most tech savvy person. ah well, we will see what happens...i'll try putting the old pc back together and find out if it runs.

 

[Dtere]

You just need to be able to boot off of the CD. You can reformat the hard-drive in the windows setup. So there's no need for you to go into Windows.

 

[King TonGoll]

I think it'll work fine. But these days you would want a 250 GB HD enclosed and then a portable 80 GB for more valuable files.

i have a 80 gig harddrive but everything else is good. lol i weny broke after aupgradeing like all my other parts.

 

[w/e]

It's not bad, but to be safe, people want what I said. I also only have 1 80 Gig.