New Hard Drive

KwackerJack

I sent my PC for repair.....Chap said my hard drive has over 2k bad sectors!!

I am looking for a new gaming PC for X-Plane, however I would like to keep my current on for file storage and general use until I pick up a new system.  

Can I just replace the hard drive and if so what type is best to go for?  I can post the specs at a later stage when I log on

mordeith

KwackerJack wrote: »

Can I just replace the hard drive and if so what type is best to go for?  I can post the specs at a later stage when I log on

In a word yes. Have you installation media for the OS?

KwackerJack

mordeith wrote: »

In a word yes. Have you installation media for the OS?

Yes I have the original disc so I'm good that way

mordeith

KwackerJack wrote: »

Yes I have the original disc so I'm good that way

First off have you backed up your data from the original disk?
Regarding the replacement drive go for a SSD. Your budget will determine the capacity but lots of setups have a relatively small SSD for the OS and programs while keeping data on a larger capacity mechanical HDD.

KwackerJack

mordeith wrote: »

First off have you backed up your data from the original disk?
Regarding the replacement drive go for a SSD. Your budget will determine the capacity but lots of setups have a relatively small SSD for the OS and programs while keeping data on a larger capacity mechanical HDD.

I was told by the guy in the Pc shop not to back the OS as it may contain errors that will carry over.

I was told to get a HD and a fresh install of Windows.

Will my motherboard, graphics card etc effect what HD I need to buy

mordeith

KwackerJack wrote: »

I was told by the guy in the Pc shop not to back the OS as it may contain errors that will carry over.

I was told to get a HD and a fresh install of Windows.

That's a slightly contradictory piece of advice. If the sectors are not repairable by Windows and it's a hardware issue with the HDD then a new disk is required but if you had no other issues then cloning the OS wouldn't be a problem. That said I would always do a clean install if you had no reason to clone the OS (that is you don't mind reinstalling any software you currently have on it).

KwackerJack wrote: »

Will my motherboard, graphics card etc effect what HD I need to buy

No
EDIT: That's assuming your current PC is not ancient in that is uses IDE connectors.

KwackerJack

See Hard Drive spec below and attached a pic of the PC spec 

[font=arial, sans-serif]Western Digital WD1600AAJS[/font][font=arial, sans-serif]-[/font][font=arial, sans-serif]00L7A0 [/font][font=arial, sans-serif]160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0[/font][font=arial, sans-serif]Gb/s 3.5" Internal[/font][font=arial, sans-serif]Hard Drive[/font]

Agent Smith

KwackerJack wrote: »

See Hard Drive spec below and attached a pic of the PC spec 

[font=arial, sans-serif]Western Digital WD1600AAJS[/font][font=arial, sans-serif]-[/font][font=arial, sans-serif]00L7A0 [/font][font=arial, sans-serif]160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0[/font][font=arial, sans-serif]Gb/s 3.5" Internal[/font][font=arial, sans-serif]Hard Drive[/font]

How much did the original place
1. charge to tell you there was bad sectors
2. Are you going to install the new Hard drive, or will they?

KwackerJack

It was a €25 Standard charge just to check the PC.
I can install the new HD once I get the correct one and its not to difficult!!

I can take a car or motorbike apart but not great at PC's :P

Agent Smith

KwackerJack wrote: »

It was a €25 Standard charge just to check the PC.
I can install the new HD once I get the correct one and its not to difficult!!

I can take a car or motorbike apart but not great at PC's :P

Ok, thats not too bad actually.

Putting in the Hard drive yourself is a great opportunity to give the machine a spring cleaning

A Sata SSD drive (these are more exspensive per gb but WAY way faster


If your willing to replace the HDD yourself, I'd get 2 things.
A Sata SSD drive (these are more exspensive per gb but WAY way faster

1 A enclosure for your old drive, where you can access the files that were on the old disk.


(I have no idea of your budget so i just linked PC world. I'd recomend you shop around!)

KwackerJack

Great thanks

In regards to HD size can you recommend one given the specs of my machine or does it matter?

degsie

Don't sweat it. Drives are usually easy to change.
Steps include opening the case, locating the hdd, removing cables from hdd, extracting hdd, swapping over brackets/screws to new hdd, inserting new hdd, connect cables and closing case. Simples

Agent Smith

KwackerJack wrote: »

Great thanks

In regards to HD size can you recommend one given the specs of my machine or does it matter?

Size wise?

What ever you can afford tbh, Bigger is better really.

if you threw in a extra stick of 4gb ram with it, you'd find a major performance boost

KwackerJack

That's what she said last night!!

I am not sure I can fit another stick in (She might have said that also)...the ports are already full as far as I am aware. I will take a pic later and post it!!

Agent Smith

KwackerJack wrote: »

That's what she said last night!!

I am not sure I can fit another stick in (She might have said that also)...the ports are already full as far as I am aware. I will take a pic later and post it!!

any update?

KwackerJack

Agent Smith wrote: »

any update?

See attached

Spear

The board's an Asrock G31M-S revision 2.0. It's got two RAM slots and both are indeed used, so adding more memory means replacing them.

And since you have it open, clean out the dust that's obstructing the heatsink.

KwackerJack

Spear wrote: »

The board's an Asrock G31M-S revision 2.0. It's got two RAM slots and both are indeed used, so adding more memory means replacing them.

And since you have it open, clean out the dust that's obstructing the heatsink.

I've a mini compressor.....I'll very lightly blow the dust and use a hoover to catch it.

In regards to HD I suppose I am limited giving my RAM specs or can I add 4gb ram x2 sticks instead if my current 2gb x2

Spear

There's no limitation or connection between the RAM and the hard disks.

KwackerJack

Ok so I was browsing Pc parts etc and came across the below gaming pc

http://www.pcworld.ie/Mobile/Product/pc-specialist-infinity-trionx-ii-gaming-pc/334211/397.0.2

Low end but the only game I play on pc is DoveTail Flight School and in future a 737 simulator as I am currently in training to be a pilot.

My budget will 5/600 as all my cash goes on flying or general living expenses

Is that a good pc for the money? I'll need to get a wireless lan card too

Spear

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/scan-gamer-intel-pentium-g4560-kaby-lake-8gb-ddr4-2gb-xfx-rx-460-1tb-hdd-win-10

That' €600, a new processor, not a 2 year old one, and a current discrete video card.