For the computer folks

aeromed202

aeromed202

SOH-CM-2014
As I save $$ in the coffee tin I am hopefully going to be getting a second HD in a few weeks. Research has revealed some things I need to know. My current HD is about all that is left of the original PC purchase. I believe it is PATA type (ribbon connectors) but my newer MB (winfast 6150K8MD) has 4 SATA sockets available. Is there a consensus about mixing these two drive types? I've read that the SATAs perform much better but mixing them is not universally advised.
 
Shouldn't be a problem. Are you going to use the Sata drive as a storage/games drive or are you going to install an OS on it?

Joe
 
Well that sort of answered another question; will this drive behave as if new and off the shelf and needing manual formatting with XP. I was unsure if it would be like that or when fired up, the existing drive would say Ah Ha-a mate, and proceed to assimilate it. I know my ignorance is showing here. Plus it seems that SATA is is the way things are going so this would be the time to catch up.

I am going this route in part to avoid doing a full drive wipe of what I have now and double the space in the process (have 250, looking at 500 or better). I am thinking of building up the new one to eventually take over as the primary if that is possible unless naming of drives and all prohibits that. I've got some things to learn and understand first. Then probably wipe the old one and take it from there.
 
The new drive will still need to be formatted to use it. If you buy retail it will come with its own software CD so you can format it, if you go with OEM (which is cheaper) it will not come with a CD, but you can go to the manufacturer's website and d/l the software.
You can also use a ghost image software to make a ghost image of your old drive to the new one without installing a new OS, this will save you from going through the reinstall of the OS and installing all updates and then all your software and games. Here are some freeware ghost image software: http://www.winvistaclub.com/d75.html
I've never used any of these but have used Norton Ghost in the past and is very easy to use. You will still need to format the drive before doing this.

Joe
 
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