what type of hard drive

my hard drive is running out of space, I want to install another HD, Where on windows 7 can I find out what type is installed , I am sure there are different types out there. thank you

Hi nireman

Which computer do you have?
Is it a laptop or desktop?

Sorry should have said I have a desktop pc

Question number 1 is a specific question
Question number 2 is clarification for question 1 (some computers models can be confusing)

I still don't know how to answer your question.

My computer has no specific brand name, I bought it from PCspecialist a firm who build computer to order
below is a list from belarc advisor I am not sure which is the drive I am looking for


Windows 7 Home Premium (build 7600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United Kingdom) No details availableProcessor a Main Circuit Board b2.20 gigahertz AMD Phenom 9500 Quad-Core
512 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache
2048 kilobyte tertiary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (4 total)
Not hyper-threaded Board: ASUSTeK Computer INC. M3A Rev 1.xx
Serial Number: MF7082G02801819
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 0601 01/11/2008Drives Memory Modules c,d330.08 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
256.13 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GSA-H55L ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

Disk drive (250.06 GB) -- drive 1
Generic Flash Disk USB Device (4.26 GB) -- drive 6, s/n
Generic USB CF Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 3
Generic USB MS Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 5
Generic USB SD Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 2
Generic USB SM Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 4
WDC WD800AAJS-60PSA0 [Hard drive] (80.03 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WCAP94356829, rev 21.12M22, SMART Status: Healthy 2048 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM_A1' has 1024 MB
Slot 'DIMM_B1' has 1024 MB
Slot 'DIMM_A2' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM_B2' is Empty

I have an external hard ( 250 Gb ) drive which is counted in the last reply I gave Please ignore

From what I can tell you have this drive currently.
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD800AAJS 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Now that I know for sure what type of drive you have, I can point you in the right direction.

Any of these drives will work for you. What you need is called SATA drives.
Interface[SATA 1.5Gb/s or 3.0Gb/s]

Frankly the easiest way to find out what you can use is to turn it off and open it up. For a desktop the hardest part is usually opening the case; try not to break any plastic tabs. If necessary, to open your case, check with the manufacturer.

You need to determine if you are using SATA or IDE (or, unlikely but maybe in very old computers, SCSI). So first check for IDE or SATA before you buy, IDE has a wide 3-inch ribbon cable while SATA uses a small 1/4-inch cable. If you have both then I would go with SATA as this seems to be the most popular now.



1. You need to make sure you have a drive bay available. 2. A SATA or IDE slot on the motherboard (IDE ribbon cables can support two devices so you may also be able to chain it there if your DVD is on a ribbon by itself). 3. You need an available power connection that is appropriate: molex (for IDE) or SATA power. Y splitters and molex to SATA power converters are available if needed.

You also have to decide how fast you want it to rotate, 5400 RPM are slower, 10000RPM are expensive and often have special/extra cooling needs, so I go with 7200RPM. Then decide how much space you need; at today's prices you would probably go with 1TB or 2TB. If you buy an OEM SATA harddrive it typically does NOT include the SATA cable so you will need one of those. And buy a power splitter or converter as needed.

Slip the drive in, screw it down, attach power, attach the ribbon or SATA cable, and power up.

Always ground yourself before reaching into any computer even though it is off; as the static electricity can damage components. As long as you do not stick your hand inside while it is on, it is safe to test it with the case open. Once you know it works, power down and put the computer back together.

Ask the shop for 7200RPM SATA drives. Feel free to choose from any range such as the 320 GB, 500 GB or the 1TB hard disks (though these days, 500 GB and 1 TB are the norm). Good brands include Seagate (probably the most popular and most trusted Hard Disk manufacturer) and Western Digital.