I get this mesage something along the line hard drive failure emenent. The guy at Frys is trying to tell me all about hard drives and said something about how many rpm this one is and how many rpm that one is How many RPM do I realy need and what all do I lose when I swap one out?

QUOTE (spare time toys @ Aug 6 2005, 03:05 PM)

what all do I lose when I swap one out?

all of it!
so if you got a CD burner, make a backup of everything important you have on there NOW !!!

windowze and programs can be reloaded easily, your documents can not ...

backup, backup, backup ...

then, look into getting a new HD. get someone local to you (like the nerd kid in the family) to do the swap for you ...
Andy

If you don't do any heavy gaming, or heavy database queries then the difference in RPM speed probably won't be noticeable.

Now that being said. With the SMART predictive failure message you're getting you need a new drive SOON.

Add it in, run Norton Ghost (PM me to find out more about this) to duplicate your current drive to your new drive, pull the old one and you'll be ready to go. (Of course it probably won't be exactly that easy, but those are the basic steps.)

This 160 GB drive is available for $39.99 after rebate at CompUSA

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_in...8017&pfp=BROWSE

The closest location to you that has it in stock is:
Dallas CompUSA Superstore
Store # 725
15250 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75248-4610
Store Hours Mon - Sat: 9am - 9pm | Sun: 11am - 6pm
Phone Numbers Main: (972) 233-4510

If you have time I suggest NewEgg. I have always have had great results when dealing with them for any computer needs.

QUOTE (mharrison @ Aug 6 2005, 02:44 PM)

If you don't do any heavy gaming, or heavy database queries then the difference in RPM speed probably won't be noticeable. Now that being said. With the SMART predictive failure message you're getting you need a new drive SOON. Add it in, run Norton Ghost (PM me to find out more about this) to duplicate your current drive to your new drive, pull the old one and you'll be ready to go. (Of course it probably won't be exactly that easy, but those are the basic steps.)

Norton Ghost requires that the same hardware be used because it makes a mirror image of EVERYTHING on your old HDD. Hidden files, system...

This incudes how WindowZ sees your current hardware and hard drive. Certain hardware needs specific drivers and if the disk drive that you currently use doesn't work with the new one, your wasting time and money.

If you can't but the identical hard drive and swap it out, then restore a Ghost image, then do as Andy suggests and get the stuff off that isn't replaceable. pics, mp3's, porno ...

We use it at work regularly. Great program when using compatible hardware.

Larry, I can backup everything to DVDs if you like... gimme a call I'll install the hard drive for you and everything...

ghost doesn't care if the HD is exactly the same... windows cares if all the other hardware matches though... I upgraded my hard drive with ghost changed brands and sizes... we used to use ghost to set up several computers with the same configuration too...

QUOTE (rogergrubb @ Aug 6 2005, 08:11 PM)

Norton Ghost requires that the same hardware be used because it makes a mirror image of EVERYTHING on your old HDD. Hidden files, system... This incudes how WindowZ sees your current hardware and hard drive. Certain hardware needs specific drivers and if the disk drive that you currently use doesn't work with the new one, your wasting time and money. If you can't but the identical hard drive and swap it out, then restore a Ghost image, then do as Andy suggests and get the stuff off that isn't replaceable. pics, mp3's, porno ... We use it at work regularly. Great program when using compatible hardware.

I use Ghost all the time. While it is true that it likes to see that same hardware it does not need to be exactly the same.

In the situation that we are presented with here, we are just looking at replacing a hard drive. We are not switching controllers or other devices. You can swap in a hard drive that uses the same controller and restore the Ghost image with not detrimental effects. The capacity can be equal, greater or even less (as long as the image is not greater than the new drive's capacity) and it will function properly.

Ghost will be your easiest road to recovery.