Something is messing up my parents computer and instead of trying to really fix it, I was planning on either just reformatting the hard drive or just getting a new hard drive instead. Now, their computer is an older Dell, so I'm already thinking that the hard drive I buy isn't going to fit and will probably have to rest on the floor of the case. My dad has also picked up a copy of XP Pro so that kind of makes reformatting or a new hard drive a better idea as the current hard drive has XP Home on it.

I'm bascially wondering which might be the better idea,

1- Reformatting the current 80gb hard drive and putting the new XP Pro software on it or,

2- Buying a new and much larger hard drive to put the new XP Pro software on it.

Personally, I'm leaning towards a new hard drive with much more space as it'll be much easier to split between the three to four people who use that computer, but I'd really like to know first if a brand new hard drive will fit, even if it can't go where it ought to go and if it'll work. Their computer is an older Dell Dimensions 4550, I was able to fit a BFG 6800gt in there so I'm doubting a new hard drive will be any trouble.

If the old space has any value to you, keep some unimportant files on there, like your media center database or something, and all your dad's important business stuff can go on the new one.

I was thinking of reformatting it and trying to use it in my computer where I could use it as a RAID or whatever that is for games, video, and photo editing for college since I could waste 20+ gigs while I'm making a video.

Okay, I was able to dig up the old parts list for the computer. I found that the Hard drive is an 80GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive (7200 RPM). Should that be any cause for concern?

I don't see why it should be cause for concern. If it plugs into your PC, and it works, don't worry about connectors and speeds. You don't need a RAID setup for multiple hard drives, either. They work just like CD Drives, you get as many as can fit.