Western Digital AC22500-00LA 2.5GB ATA-33 IDE front view Western Digital AC22500-00LA 2.5GB ATA-33 IDE front view
Western Digital AC22500-00LA 2.5GB ATA-33 IDE front view Western Digital AC22500-00LA 2.5GB ATA-33 IDE front view
Western Digital AC22500-00LA top view Western Digital AC22500-00LA top view
Western Digital AC22500-00LA angled view Western Digital AC22500-00LA angled view
Western Digital AC22500-00LA 2.5GB ATA-33 IDE front view
Western Digital AC22500-00LA 2.5GB ATA-33 IDE front view
Western Digital AC22500-00LA top view
Western Digital AC22500-00LA angled view

Western Digital

Western Digital AC22500-00LA – 2.5GB | ATA-33 IDE | 5400RPM | 3.5" | Legacy HDD

$115.00

Brand New, Factory Sealed | In Stock | Bulk Orders Available

The AC22500-00LA is a 2.5GB ATA-33 IDE hard drive featuring 5400RPM, 256KB cache, and 11.0ms average seek time in a 3.5" form factor. Built for mid-1990s desktop systems, it is ideal for vintage computing restorations, legacy system maintenance, and retro gaming builds. Compatible with Pentium 200MHz systems, 486 motherboards with EIDE controllers, and dual-drive master/slave configurations. Features CacheFlow5 algorithm for optimized read/write caching and supports ATA-4 power management for reduced power consumption during idle periods.

All products from Anand International ship brand new and factory sealed. Volume and B2B pricing available for qualified buyers.
Specifications
  • Manufacturer: Western Digital
  • Model: AC22500-00LA
  • Capacity: 2.5GB (2559.8MB)
  • Interface: ATA-33 IDE
  • Spindle Speed: 5400 RPM
  • Cache: 256KB
  • Form Factor: 3.5"
  • Seek Time: 11.0ms average
  • Latency: 5.8ms rotational
  • MTBF: 350,000 hours
  • Drive Type: Desktop HDD
  • Warranty: 90 days
  • Shipping: Free domestic US shipping
  • Condition: Brand New, Factory Sealed
Product Features
  • CacheFlow5 intelligent caching algorithm
  • ATA-4 power management support
  • Master/slave dual-drive compatibility
  • 40-pin IDE interface connector
  • Low-profile 3.5" form factor
  • Embedded servo positioning system
  • 256KB DRAM cache buffer
  • Reed Solomon error correction
  • Direct replacement for legacy systems requiring IDE/ATA connectivity
  • 90-day Anand International warranty on all legacy stock
  • Free domestic US shipping included
  • Volume and B2B pricing available for qualified buyers
Compatibility

Compatible with 486 and Pentium systems, EIDE controllers, and dual IDE configurations with proper master/slave jumper settings. Not compatible with older BIOS systems that cannot handle drives larger than 2.1GB without special software or alternate jumper configurations.
Shipping & Returns
  • Free Shipping: We currently offer free Economy Shipping within the continental U.S. with no minimum order required. Expedited shipping is available at standard carrier rates.
  • Same-Day Shipping: Order placed before 2PM PST will ship the same day. Orders received after this time will ship the following business day.
  • Hassle-Free Returns: If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return it within 10 days for a hassle-free refund or exchange.

2.5GB ATA-33 5400RPM 256KB Cache Factory Sealed

Why the AC22500-00LA — Legacy IDE Still Available New drive

Part of Western Digital's acclaimed Caviar series from the mid-1990s, setting standards for desktop storage performance. Delivers 5400RPM performance with advanced CacheFlow5 algorithm and ATA-2 Fast IDE compatibility. Engineered for reliability in vintage computing applications requiring authentic period-correct storage solutions. Still available brand new and factory sealed from Anand International — one of the few remaining sources for legacy IDE/ATA storage. Ships with 90-day warranty and free domestic shipping.

Authentic Mid-1990s Storage

Original Western Digital Caviar technology from the era when 2.5GB represented high-capacity desktop storage. Perfect for maintaining historical accuracy in vintage system restorations.

CacheFlow5 Performance Enhancement

Features Western Digital's fifth-generation caching algorithm that adapts on-the-fly to optimize read and write operations. Minimizes seek operations and rotational latency overhead.

Flexible Configuration Support

Supports single, master, or slave drive configurations with jumper block settings for dual-drive installations. Compatible with other IDE drives in master/slave configurations.

Power Management Features

Implements ATA-4 power management commands including Standby Immediate for reduced power consumption. Supports intelligent spin-down for energy-efficient operation.

New Old Stock with 90-Day Warranty

Available as brand new, factory sealed old stock units from Anand International with a 90-day warranty. Ideal for legacy system maintenance, vintage computing restoration, and hard-to-find replacement needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions for IDE, including information on usage, configuration, and compatibility.

1. What is an IDE hard drive?

An IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) hard drive is a legacy type of storage device that connects to a computer using a 40-pin ribbon cable and Molex power connector. It was widely used before SATA drives became standard.
2. Can IDE hard drives be used in modern computers?

Most modern PCs do not have IDE ports. However, you can still use an IDE hard drive with a compatible IDE controller card or an IDE-to-SATA/USB adapter.
3. What devices are IDE hard drives compatible with?

IDE hard drives are commonly used in older desktops, servers, DVR systems, legacy industrial equipment, and other electronics that require ATA/100 or ATA/133 interfaces.
4. Are IDE and PATA the same thing?

Yes. IDE is also known as PATA (Parallel ATA). Both terms refer to the same interface standard, which uses wide ribbon cables to connect drives.
5. How do I know if my system supports an IDE hard drive?

Check if your motherboard has a 40-pin IDE connector. If not, you can use an adapter or external enclosure that converts IDE to SATA or USB.
6. What is the maximum capacity of an IDE hard drive?

Most IDE hard drives range from a few hundred megabytes to 500GB, though practical support depends on your system’s BIOS limitations.
7. Can IDE hard drives be used for external storage?

Yes. By using an IDE-to-USB adapter or external IDE enclosure, you can repurpose an IDE hard drive as an external storage device.