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We have ordered a PC to replace the one our bookkeeper is using (vintage 2001).
It is a P4 - am I correct that it will require SATA drives? The last time we replaced a PC, I just installed the old HD as a secondary, but given the age of the old computer, I know it isn't SATA .
Is there a way to pop that old drive in there? An adaptor that is reasonably price, or should I just go to an external case?
We are trying to make the transition as seamless as possible for her.
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Without brand and model, it's hard to tell but most current models have SATA drives. Usually, the optical drive is PATA and you may be able to connect the old drive to the secondary connector on the optical drive cable.
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There are still companies that sell P4 machines? If you spent another $50 for at least a Core Duo, it might pay for itself in just power savings alone. The vast majority of new computers come with SATA drives, but I would not say it is for sure since it has a P4. Unless they are really scraping the bottom of the barrel in obsolete motherboards, it will have a SATA connector on the motherboard even if it comes with an IDE drive.
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[quote Filliam H. Muffman]There are still companies that sell P4 machines? If you spent another $50 for at least a Core Duo, it might pay for itself in just power savings alone. The vast majority of new computers come with SATA drives, but I would not say it is for sure since it has a P4. Unless they are really scraping the bottom of the barrel in obsolete motherboards, it will have a SATA connector on the motherboard even if it comes with an IDE drive.
Agreed, but his problem is the opposite - he's looking for a PATA connection in a SATA box (assuming it is). I have a P4 Dell that has IDE drives and SATA connectors on the MB as you suggested. Bottom line is to open it up and see what's inside. The crucial thing will be whether there's a place to mount the drive where an existing PATA cable can be plugged into it.
I might add too, that I hope you're not planning to use the old drive to boot from. PCs are NOT very friendly that way. I do get away with that on rare occassions but seldom. You will be far better served to install all the applications she needs on the drive the computer comes with and just access documents/files on the old HDD.
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And those of us who work on them for a living. Viva la PC!
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OK the computer actually just arrived - Dell Optiplex P4 - 1 gig o'ram, 40 gig HD.
I work for a non-profit, so this is a "new to us" computer from TechSoup. Current drive is a WD that appears from a search of the WD site to be an EIDE drive, so if there is room, it should work to install the old drive.
olnacl - not planning to boot from it - it is used solely for quickbooks - so having the program and all the files intact and running will be a real plus.
