HP Pavilion a1600n hard drive

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EWC88

Member
So I got this computer cause the hard drive failed and I decided I would take it in. So I basically need a new hard drive for it but really don't know what to get. I was planning on using this computer to play Counter Strike, and maybe some other game (haven't checked up on any games so if I see one that catches my eye I'll try it), as well as downloading music. I see newegg is having alot of deals on hard drives and I was looking at getting a 500gb hard drive but no idea on brand or if thats good enough. I was checking out this hard drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181 and notice it had alot of great reviews. At the same time I was looking at some WD and Seagate. If you guys/girls would be able to help me that be appreciative.

Also everything else on this computer is stock, do you think I'm going want to get some memory for it?


Edit: I was talking to someone else and they told me if I got a 500gb or anyhting higher they suggest me to partition it. I have no idea what that is and how to do it. Do you guys recommend that?
 
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Samsung's aren't bad but I would recommend getting a Seagate. I think Samsung's only carry a 1 year warranty where Seagate has a 3 year warranty. Just make sure that you buy the right interface, IDE or SATA.

As far as partitioning it, I would recommend it. Make at least 2 partitions, 1 for operating system and programs and one strictly for data. That way if you ever have to reinstall windows, all your data is on a different partition and you won't have to worry about backing it up. However, if the drive dies, all your data is gone, so I suggest backing up your important data to an external or dvd.
 
How do you partition your harddrive? Also what exactly is partitioning? Is it like spliting your harddrive up or having two harddrive in a comp?

You can really tell how I'm new to all this lol.
 
You partition the hard drive when you boot to the install cd. It asks you where you want to install it at and if its a brand new drive you will have to create a partition before installing. I usually create about a 50gb paritition for windows and programs and the rest of the drive for data. When you dual boot 2 operating systems, you would create 3 partitions. For example... 1 for XP, 1 for Vista or Windows 7 and then 1 for data. It's all personal preference though.

Read through this page, I'm sure it will help you out alot.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/hard_drives_03.htm
 
Ok I think I get it, when I install the new harddrive I run the XP software and then pick to do a partition and I adjust the size and thats it? And then when the install goes all the way I have it save on that other "new" partition? Then everything else like games and music downloads on the other partition right?
 
EWC88 said:
Ok I think I get it, when I install the new harddrive I run the XP software and then pick to do a partition and I adjust the size and thats it? And then when the install goes all the way I have it save on that other "new" partition? Then everything else like games and music downloads on the other partition right?
Click to expand...

When you go to install XP, create a partition that you would like the operating system on and all your programs( the size would depend on what size hard drive you get) Install XP to that partition. When done installing, go to disk management and format the rest of the drive so you can use it for music, data, whatever.
 
I don't think my mom added any memory to the HP when she had it, so I'm guessing its all stock.

I was just going back and forth debating if I should make the HP the gaming/music computer for me, or the computer I use to have, just fix it up. The one I had is way older then the HP and thats the only thing thats telling me to stick with the HP, while the one I had was built by a company, but I can't figure out what all I have in there.


At the same time I was just on my moms gateway and I notice in the bottom right corner there was a pop up saying a HP update, now I'm wondering if the guy who gave my mom that gateway and hooked it all up for her installed the HP disk in it, is that possible?
 
All that means is that at any certain time there was HP software installed, whether it be from a printer, camera, webcam, etc....
 
Ok cool, then its coming from the printer or monitor.

So far the only games that really caught my eye are counter strike, and call of duty. So lets just say at max I will want 4 games, then I will be downloading music and thats mostly it for this computer. Would you think a 500GB would be fine for that?
 
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