Your computer likely is using IDE hard drives - it's a different connector than newer SATA drives.
For the most part you'll want to stay away from SATA unless you purchase a new SATA controller card.
If you can find an IDE drive for a good price, you can possibly put that into your computer as additional space, and not replacement.
It might help if you post the remainder of your system specifications.
Need suggestions on Monitor and possibly harddrive
Hi! I am not sure if ill get any answers but I will try anyway 
Im sure some of you know what youre doing, since I sure dont.
Im looking for a new LCD monitor as well as a new harddrive since all I have now are a 19 inch CRT and a (pathetic) 40 GB HD.
I am not good at reading all the gibberish on computer parts really so i have no clue what they mean or what is good and what isnt, at least not with monitors and HD's.
What im looking for is the biggest possible monitor without going insanely expensive, maybe up to 250 bucks? I saw a lot of 19 or 20 inch LCDs for around that price.
One thing though is that I was going to get a widescreen until I saw that it is not compatible with most games that are out currently and that it gives problems with screen stretching (like warcraft 3). Should I get a widescreen instead of just a plain ol? If not could anyone suggest a few good ones of either type?
And the harddrive thing is just a mystery to me. I want a large one but I noticed that there are huge price differences in the types, such as the really fast harddrives. Does that really matter for someone who plays games? Probably the next high tech game ill be playing is starcraft 2.
Annnnyywayy Im sorry if this was poorly composed and maybe even didnt make sense, I havent slept in a looong time so im kind of out of it. If it did make sense any help would be appreciated as I need them fairly quick. Im not trying to skimp in price and im not really on a budget, I want quality, so if there is a great reason to get a certain kind let me know 
I will be getting an entire PC before too long, but for now all I need are a monitor (easier to transport since ill be moving a lot this summer) and a bigger HD so I stop having to delete all of my old videos every time I download a new anime!
Mileron
18 years ago
Verileah
18 years ago
Shameless plug for the husband .
This thread over on Silky Venom might prove useful - monitors
Also, this article on monitors is good reading.
I dunno if they have a thread just for hard drives, but you could prolly find info in the recommended systems - check around here. If you're still having trouble can always ask on the forums. Fozzik and Rabb1t are both nice guys and there are bunches of knowledgeable people there.
.This thread over on Silky Venom might prove useful - monitors
Also, this article on monitors is good reading.
I dunno if they have a thread just for hard drives, but you could prolly find info in the recommended systems - check around here. If you're still having trouble can always ask on the forums. Fozzik and Rabb1t are both nice guys and there are bunches of knowledgeable people there.
Jinheim
18 years ago
You can get an external hard drive that will connect to your computer through a USB port. I think this is a very good solution for several reasons:
First of all, you don't have to worry about SATA vs IDE. Your computer now is probably IDE, and any new computer you get will be SATA. This means that any hard drive you buy for one machine won't be compatible with the other unless you screw around with converter cards, which are a big pain in the ass. External hard drives connect with a USB cable, which means that you can just plug'n'play them on any machine made in this millennium. Also, you don't have to physically open up the case and install anything. This is a very good thing if you're using a small factory case that was never meant to be opened and modded.
Also, they are portable. If you store your anime/movie/game collection on your hard drive, and you want to take it over to your friend's house, you can do so easily. This is my favorite thing about external HD's because I can easily move stuff from one computer to the other, or take it with me somewhere.
Definately just get an external HD of whatever size you can afford/want. I have used Seagates for the last few years and they have been pretty good to me. I've never had one crash on me except for the partition that the OS was on, and that's normal considering the amount of abuse I give it. As for monitors, I wouldn't worry about having any difficulties with widescreen. Almost every game I've played in the last few years had supported widescreen. The ones that don't are not a big deal, because they automatically stretch the fit your screen, and the distortion is really not noticeable. You were worried about WC3, so I actually loaded it up just now to make sure, and I can confirm that it looks just fine when stretched to 1366x768. Also, most anime, moves, TV shows etc... are meant to be watched widescreen, so you might as well get an LCD. They are much nicer for desk space as well. I don't have any suggestions on brands, because I actually just use my TV as my monitor.
First of all, you don't have to worry about SATA vs IDE. Your computer now is probably IDE, and any new computer you get will be SATA. This means that any hard drive you buy for one machine won't be compatible with the other unless you screw around with converter cards, which are a big pain in the ass. External hard drives connect with a USB cable, which means that you can just plug'n'play them on any machine made in this millennium. Also, you don't have to physically open up the case and install anything. This is a very good thing if you're using a small factory case that was never meant to be opened and modded.
Also, they are portable. If you store your anime/movie/game collection on your hard drive, and you want to take it over to your friend's house, you can do so easily. This is my favorite thing about external HD's because I can easily move stuff from one computer to the other, or take it with me somewhere.
Definately just get an external HD of whatever size you can afford/want. I have used Seagates for the last few years and they have been pretty good to me. I've never had one crash on me except for the partition that the OS was on, and that's normal considering the amount of abuse I give it. As for monitors, I wouldn't worry about having any difficulties with widescreen. Almost every game I've played in the last few years had supported widescreen. The ones that don't are not a big deal, because they automatically stretch the fit your screen, and the distortion is really not noticeable. You were worried about WC3, so I actually loaded it up just now to make sure, and I can confirm that it looks just fine when stretched to 1366x768. Also, most anime, moves, TV shows etc... are meant to be watched widescreen, so you might as well get an LCD. They are much nicer for desk space as well. I don't have any suggestions on brands, because I actually just use my TV as my monitor.
Masoyama
18 years ago
does it make video games slower to have them on your external hardrive? (my other is SATA)
Mileron
18 years ago
If your system supports USB 2.0, then an external hard drive may be a better option.
However, the reason I asked for system specs is because, if the system shipped with 40gb, there's a good chance it doesn't -have- USB 2.0.
So we need more infos.
However, the reason I asked for system specs is because, if the system shipped with 40gb, there's a good chance it doesn't -have- USB 2.0.
So we need more infos.
Shinra
18 years ago
Everything in the computer is only 2.5 years old or so, it was top of the line or nearly when I built it. I just replaced everything except the hard drive which appears to be a mistake =o. Im really liking the external HD idea because when I do get a new computer I can just get a new HD as well and easily transfer my files without dealing with installing 2 internal HD's. How do I determine whether or not it supports USB 2.0?
-- Also, thanks for the replies thus far.
-- Also, thanks for the replies thus far.
Shinra
18 years ago
Hey its me again. i read up on how to determine whether or not I have usb 1 or 2 and its kind of strange. It said to go into device manager and under universal serial bus controllers it should list. Well heres the thing, I have 4 Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller, which is supposed to be USB 1. But then I have 1 Intel(R) 82801EB USB2 Enhanced Host Controller, which is supposed to be USB2. Then a bunch of USB Root Hub.
To me that looks like one of my usb ports is 2.0? That seems kind of strange, and if it was true how would I determine which one it was? Any help would be appreciated. Im confuzzled!
To me that looks like one of my usb ports is 2.0? That seems kind of strange, and if it was true how would I determine which one it was? Any help would be appreciated. Im confuzzled!
Mileron
18 years ago
Two ways.
one, read the manual of the motherboard.
two, (NOT recommended) plug the device into random ports until you do NOT get the error message that says "this device could perform faster by plugging into a USB 2.0 port"
Shinra;80075
To me that looks like one of my usb ports is 2.0? That seems kind of strange, and if it was true how would I determine which one it was? Any help would be appreciated. Im confuzzled!
Two ways.
one, read the manual of the motherboard.
two, (NOT recommended) plug the device into random ports until you do NOT get the error message that says "this device could perform faster by plugging into a USB 2.0 port"
Shinra
18 years ago
Thank you. Do you also think that looks like one of the ports is 2.0?
Mileron
18 years ago
No, not necessarily.
Sometimes the "USB2" label just means "second set of USB ports".
Hence double-checking the manual.
Sometimes the "USB2" label just means "second set of USB ports".
Hence double-checking the manual.