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Older hardware parts

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I am building a network for a client and I seem to be having a hard time finding four, 4.3G pluggable SCSI-2 Fast Wide hard drives and (associated trays) for a Compaq Proliant 4500 which was donated to them. This client is a non-profit and thus hasno budget to speak of for parts. Since this server is discontinued, any idea where I can find these drives inexpensively? Even donations would be welcome....

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by some guy in seattle

It may take some time to acquire the parts but try sites like ebay or ubid.com. Use a search engine to find web sites with used computer parts. Or use the local newspapers and free classified papers like "thrifty nickel". Since these are older parts, the price should be pretty reasonable.

Hope that helps,

by mckaytech

These are going to be tough items to find. I've re-furbed quite a few donated servers for non-profits and I can only think of one that had the drives still in it. I think that most donating agencies keep the drives, not because they have any use for them, but because they are concerned about the data that may still be on them.

I have had some success with going back to the donating agency and seeing if they would release the drives if I could guarantee the destruction of the data to federal standards (and their satisfaction) by using a product like WipeDisk.

Other than that, it's just a matter of getting the word out to enough people. I haven't found auctions to be particularly good sources because the types of organizations that own decent servers typically have the security concerns mentioned above and anything they send to auction has had the drives removed.

paul

by pcdoctors

If you want to risk some hard earned money, jump to any auctions website (ebay, Ubid, Aucland, yahoo). Else you can go to www.pricewatch.com and key in your desired item. You'll find the cheapest corresponding hardware. bear in mind P&P however

by rick.anderson

1. Visit your local Compaq dealer, and try for a donation.
2. Then again, 4.3's are pretty old now - I assume the 4500 has the Compaq Smart-2 array controller - it'll support bigger drives, so source a pair (or 4) of 9's or bigger (any brand), and beg buy or borrow the hot plug trays. From memory the trays aren't that dear anyway.

by jeffc

The best place to find parts is at 866-PARTS-911 that is a toll free number and they offer the best prices and availibility.

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