UPDATE!! w/ screen shots: vdub corrupting outputted video in Vista -please help!!

[jeffy]

Jeffy, how can I tell which drives are single-platter?


Sorry for the delay. In the datasheets, some examples follow:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11:
http://www.seagate.com/docs/pdf/datasheet/disc/ds_barracuda_7200_11.pdf
Heads/disks; disks = platters (in this datasheet only the model number: ST3320613AS)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10:
http://www.seagate.com/docs/pdf/datasheet/disc/ds_barracuda_7200_10.pdf
Heads/Disks; disks = platters (in this datasheet only the models numbered:
ST3250410AS
ST3250310AS
ST3160815A
ST3160815AS
ST3160215A
ST3160215AS
ST380815AS
ST380215A
ST380215AS

Hitachi GST:
disks/heads: 5/10
http://www.hitachigst.com/tech/techlib.nsf/techdocs/242718EDA9762C0386256F4E006B2F86/$file/7K500ud_final.pdf

Data disks: 1
http://www.hitachigst.com/tech/techlib.nsf/techdocs/CCF4BCC3878763158625713A007DB9D6/$file/DS_7K160_DS.pdf

Samsung: unsure
WD: unsure

Otherwise, in the reviews:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article819-page2.html

[jeffy]

the IDE controller is permanently part of the motherboard, right? I have to get the whole motherboard replaced, which HP is making it sound like I can't do... maybe :(

Unless the computer they sold you is working reliably with the drive(s) supplied with it, they should take the RMA. They should be able to determine if the controller is bad, you don't have the tools needed, I'm afraid.