What HDD does my Dell 500sc require. Current drive has died

EaseUS has programs that will help you. There are free copies and Paid copies. I have used them for years and never had a problem with any of them.
TECH support is great

What model Dell?

External Hard drives usually draw more current (power) from the PC's USB port and some times even the power being provided by PC's USB port is too less for HDD. In both cases the HDD tries to start but will eventually fail. To cater this you need to buy USB cable with two USB connectors at PC end. Plugging both the connectors to the PC will draw required power from the PC and your HDD will work fine. Also try to connect your HDD to some other PC and see if it works their or not.

there is a chance that the place holding the HDD could have gone bad.. Try to take the HDD off and reinsert it.., If still not working.. Could be a faulty motherboard...

Hi,
Kindly click the below link for the driver.
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz&releaseid=R85770&formatcnt=1&libid=0&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&fileid=112333

opening the case u have to see that the power supply is facing you when you lay it down.....check some PC case does not have screws, but levers that helps to remove cover...but if their is a screw associated remove them all then slide case back towards you and lift.

it wont help old hdd

did you installed sound driver...if not then install it then sounds will come

Do a ghost on the first hard drive install ghost on new hard drive and replace, I can provide more details on procedure just ask

Any ATA/IDE 2.5in HDD should fit your system.

for example THIS