Hard drive

[Herakles82]

I have an a6512p desktop (Windows Vista, 64-bit) in which the hard drive recently failed.  The specifications for the current supplied drive are as follows:  

• Size: 500 GB

• Interface: SATA

• Transfer rating: 3.0 GB/sec

• Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM

My intention is to replace the drive with a 1TB Western Digital Caviar Green SATA Desktop Hard Drive or a Seagate Barracuda 1TB Drive (both at 7200 RPM).  I just wanted to make sure that these were the best options for replacement (and if there was anything I might need in addition to the provided hardware to make the installation complete).

Additionally, I was told that it should be possible to retrieve some of the data files on the failed drive.  Does anyone have any idea what I might need in the way of cables, etc. to make this happen?

Any help that anyone might be able to provide would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Chuck Cobern

[Big_Dave · Accepted solution]

Hi Chuck,

You have a couple of options to retrieve data from a possible failed hard drive.

1. Buy an external 3.5" USB enclosure and see if the data can be accessed.
2. Some drive manufacturers have a data recovery service.

I don't see a problem with the hard drives that you are considering as a replacement.

These HP 'how-to" articles should be helpful.

[Herakles82]

Dave,

Thanks for the quick response, it is very much appreciated.  I was sure I could do the replacement myself (it's been awhile), but I have never tried data retrieval before.

It was either doing it on my own or Staples could do it (i.e. hard drive replacement, data retrieval, etc. for about $300.  I think I would rather do it myself.

Again my deepest thanks for your aid.

Best wishes,

Chuck Cobern