Quick Question

This might sound like a really dumb question, but how do I know which type of hard drive I have at the moment, i.e. whether it is SATA or IDE. ??????


Another stupid question, if you have two sticks of RAM, do they always have to be the same, i.e 256mb and 256mb, or can u have 256mb and 512mb. ??????

Thanks in advance.

 

If you have an IDE HDD, inside the case it will be attached to a 40-pin Ribbon cable, very large in width, like this: http://service.pcconnection.com/images/inhouse/196894.jpg

SATA uses a small power cord like cable with a USB like plug, like this: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0001Y7PPI.01-A3KGNLL200UCI2._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Getting odd numbered sticks of RAM has always led me to believe the performance is less efficient, adding a 256 along with a 512 really won't make a difference, so really either have it 1 stick of 256 or 128x2 or 1 stick of 512 or 256x2 or 1 stick of 1Gig or 512x2, but either of the options are both depending on if you're running dual channel, if so go with the x2 option if not, just the bigger sticks.

Hope this helps!

 

AFAIK you can have different sizes of ram, but if they are different speeds they will run at the lowest common denominator.

 

Thanks,

Just ordered 250 gb seagate IDE hard drive, a Crucial 256mb stick to add to my own 256 mb, a CDRW and a DVD RW.

I think i can install the optical drives pretty easily, just put them in and turn the computer on and see what happens.????????? (Correct me if I am wrong). I think the same also applies for the ram.

But I need help with the hard drive. At the moment I have a 40gb hard drive, I would like to transfer everything off that hard drive to the new one.

Help please!!.