Uses a standard IDE drive, cant be larger than 32gb. You will also need an install disc to install the OS on the new drive. Open hte HDR and install the new drive, jumpers should be set to master. Connect the ribbon and power cable. Then insert your floppy and power on the machine and it will go through the OS load as usual. If you get an "Extraction Failed" error message, you need to make sure that your floppy is set to format this new drive during the install. To do this you can insert the floppy in your PC or Mac and then explore the disc. Double click on Tools and it will open a text document with a few lines of code, one of which will be Format, the word "Off" is most likely typed next to it. Highlight that portion of text and replace it by typing "On". Save the changes then go through the OS install on the HDR2496 again, this time you will be prompted to format the drive.