Performance problems with this site - due to dead hardware

I have to get in touch with my friends that host the server this site runs on so they can yank the hard drive that died. Although the drive isn't on the same IDE interface as the rest of the site, due to the dead drive throwing errors left and right, the rest of the system is a bit lagged.

We have a replacement drive so I'm hoping it can be a simple swap and go. Normally I don't run sites on PATA drives, but I can deal with the failure rates for the cost savings advantage. It is a good way of testing your disaster recovery skills and plans. It is also a good way of testing your backup methods. I'm just thankful they let the site run up there.