On 02/25/2011 03:17 PM, Kristopher Gamrat wrote: > Doesn't seem like it will run at all. Sounds like the head may be > bouncing off the platters or something. > > How cheap can they be? I'm using a SATA laptop drive, don't have it > with me to check the dimensions, but I'm hoping to get a large one -- > I plan to have two distributions installed, one for development stuff > (which will be the larger partition), and one for just normal use > whenever I don't have time for fixing stuff. > >> > 500 GB WD Scorpio 5400 RPM 2.5" Laptop Drive - $56-$59 at Amazon or Newegg. (320G ~ $35) Here is the sata/ide/usb device I'm talking about. It's $19 on newegg, check around and you'll find it for less: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812816014 After you install your new drive and your new OS, just connect your old hard drive via a USB port and copy your data back. If you are in a large city, you can probably call around and find one at your local computer shop or electronics story (Fry's, etc..) That would save you shipping time :p -- David C. Rankin, J.D.,P.E.