Hard drive install

[alvin5389]

I purchased a computer in 2008 that has a Maxtor 250GB SATA/150 HDD that was manufactored in 2004. It has a cable that plug into the mother board. In looking at the ones out now I don't see the cable attached. Can use one built after 2004? will I need that cable? Can I purcahse the cable if needed? Can I purchase any hard drive or doesw it have to be a Maxtor?

[stroyal]

Welcome to TechIMO!

Yes
No
Yes
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Any hard drive that is SATA1, SATA2,or SATA3.
Any brand, but I prefer Western Digital or Seagate.
I believe Seagate owns Maxtor now.

The cables should be interchangeable.
the SATA2, and 3 cables will have a lock tab, but should plug into a SATA1, and a SATA1 cable should plug into a SATA2 or 3.

If the SATA 2 is cheaper, get that, as SATA2, and 3 will run at SATA1 speed with your board.

Cables are readily available.

Are you in the States?
Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Computer Accessories, Cables, Computer Cables, SATA / eSATA Cables, SATA / eSATA

[paul9]

I would look for the cables with the latch, as the older type without the latch have worked loose and caused me a lot of headaches with strange problems on a few PCs.