How To Buy Desktop Hard Drive

Introduction

Many desktop computer towers are so large that owners might be able to install as many as three separate hard disk drives, which includes the original hard drive that came with the system. Of course the Microsoft Windows operating system is stored on the primary hard drive and it commonly shows at the letter "C" when users reference this local drive on the computer.

Installing a second or a third drive is often necessary for extra storage when the original hard drive runs out of space. For example, people commonly like to download movies to watch on a desktop. If you consider that the average DVD disc holds over 4 gigabytes of data, then a 100 GB hard drive might only be able to hold about 25 DVDs. Also, many movies are in high definition, which further increases the size of the video file. So desktop users who like to download movies have to boost the amount of space they have in order to store and watch these movies.

The aforementioned scenario is common across many desktop users and you can certainly use it as you consider how to buy a hard disk drive from a store. If this situation does not fit your exact needs, there are other aspects that you can consider as make your final decision to buy a hard drive.

Step 1

Ask yourself why you are wanting to buy a new hard drive for your desktop computer. Did the original and primary hard drive stop working or crash and now you have to replace with a brand new drive. Are you wanting to expand the amount of space on the hard drive?

 

Step 2

Review your computer manufacturer's recommendations for replacing or adding a hard drive for your desktop. You may have to look in your owner's manual for the instructions. If you can find instructions, you should use extreme caution when replacing the drive. In some cases, you won't be able to reinstall the Windows operating system if did not follow proper procedures.

Step 3

Start your search for a new hard drive for your desktop online. Go to the various websites for online retailers that sell computer products, such as Amazon.com, Buy.com and NewEgg.com. They often have the best prices and wide variety of hard drive options.

Step 4

Visit a few hard drive manufacturer's websites, such as Western Digital and Samsung. These company often sell desktop hard drives directly from their websites.

Step 5

Install the drive according the instructions in the manual for your desktop computer. But also pay attention to the instructions on the hard drive package.

Tips

Consider adding an external hard drive for your desktop instead of an internal hard drive.

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