replace a hard disk on Avaratec 3270

Hi. I've been fortunate enough to have had a (mostly) working 3270 (3200 series) for 4 years. Now the hard disk has died, but I'm not ready to buy a new computer because there's lots I like about this one (mostly its small size).
I tried re-installing XP, and it dies when it tries to format the hard disk; retried it several times, same results. So my question is: I've taken the box apart and removed the hard disk, it's a Hitachi Travelstar 60gB. I need to know if a drive like Hitachi Travelstars I find on Ebay will be compatible. They are described as IDE/ATA, and some are desribed as SATA. Way back when when I was futzing around with desktops I was able to swap different IDE hard drives with ease, the bios or firmware or whatever would adjust to the changes. Would it be safe for me to buy another Travelstar ATA/IDE 60gb? How about a Travelstar SATA 160 gb? Aside from compatibility issues (if any ) with the 16gB SATA, might it require more power and make the 3200 heat up even more?
Now that look more closely at my disk, its says ATA/IDE, so it sounds like I can't go wrong with the 60gB ATA. But I still have those questions about the 160mb SATA.
Thanks!

 

Just to help your choices, you will not be able to replace an ATA parallel drive with a SATA (serial) drive. Wholly different interfaces, cables and disk controllers.

Look for compatible ATA/IDE drives to the one you have. Key is to insure your BIOS will recognize the higher Gbs on parallel drives. Best to stick with around the size you had.

Rick

 

You could put up to a 320GB PATA 2.5" hard drive in the 3270. That is the
largest capacity made I believe.

I just installed 320GB PATA hard drives in some of our Averatec 3700s (what a pain in the a$$)

 

You may need to check and make sure that the chipset supports 48-bit LBA addressing. If it does not, you should stick with hard drives that are 120GB or lower in capacity.