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Question

replacing a hard drive

Sep 8, 2015 4:49PM PDT

I have a old dell pc with windows xp it was working well until I got a message that it couldn't find the hard drive so I'm thinking if I just replace the drive I should be good? I want to get a refurb and spend as little money as possible but i want it to fit and work I want to know what the necessary things to look for? dose it have to match the old drive a wd32ooks 320gb.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I can't find that model.
Sep 8, 2015 5:13PM PDT
https://www.google.com/search?q=wd32ooks has 3 hits which call it SATA so any 2.5 or 3.5 inch SATA drive will do. The only hurdle for most is to install XP. I find most folk explode on that step. Some even flame those that can't tell the step by step install. I'd skip XP and move up to any Linux.
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Answer
Match the HD type
Sep 9, 2015 11:28AM PDT

As you stated you run XP and that suggests you *MAY* have an EIDE type drive, so verify. Otherwise, you have a SATA type, just google to check what the connections will look like. Of course, the decal/label on the HD itself will ID what it is and go from there.

As for 320gb( you can get a larger HD of same physical size but larger capacity and typical would be 500gb or even larger up to 2gb if that makes you happy. Under XP OS, 2gb is the best IMHO you'll ever want. as for refurb, sure you can go that route and in most cases you'll do fine, typical warranty is 90 days, so be prepared if the need arise to send back. However, brand new isn't that much of a difference and warranty is usually 1yr.-3yr., read the fine print. good luck

tada -----Willy Happy