Any limitations on upgrading Dell Latitude D600 hard drive?

[AndrewR]

Got a Dell Latitude D600, and I want to upgrade the memory and the hard drive. Memory is not a big deal (just looking for any deals -- help?), but I'm wondering if there are any constraints on upgrading the hard drive, such as internal size (doubtful, should be standard, right?), heat production of a 7200 rpm drive, actual installation (where does it go?), and Dell software/hardware since I don't have a restore or installation disk, just my own copy of WinXP Pro or Win 2000.

I had a Dell once before, a desktop, and I recall that it was a pain to use since you were forced to use the Dell software with it. Is that an issue, or is there a work around?

Thanks.

 

[ShellGuy]

How can you be forced to use Dell software?? The hdd should be in a tray on the side of the lappy most times. and they all use a 2.5" drive maxing out at 7200rpm. I think seagate currently offers a 100gb 7200 drive. shouldn't take you any longer than about 10 min for the drive and the same with the memory. and taht is gettin a coke or a beer with each. the worst time will be installin the OS with the new drive...


Will G

 

[andrewbabcock]

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
How can you be forced to use Dell software?? The hdd should be in a tray on the side of the lappy most times. and they all use a 2.5" drive maxing out at 7200rpm. I think seagate currently offers a 100gb 7200 drive. shouldn't take you any longer than about 10 min for the drive and the same with the memory. and taht is gettin a coke or a beer with each. the worst time will be installin the OS with the new drive...


Will G

Hitachi offers a 100 gb also, as in my system. I have hard the Hitachi travelstars are very good.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
How can you be forced to use Dell software?? The hdd should be in a tray on the side of the lappy most times. and they all use a 2.5" drive maxing out at 7200rpm. I think seagate currently offers a 100gb 7200 drive. shouldn't take you any longer than about 10 min for the drive and the same with the memory. and taht is gettin a coke or a beer with each. the worst time will be installin the OS with the new drive...


Will G

I think the issue with the Dell software was trying to use their software on another system (the WinXP CD), and it wouldn't let me. I can't remember exactly, but it was rather strange and made me sell the system.

As for where the HDD is located, I've found everything BUT the hard disk on it. I found the CPU bay and the memory bay (each have one screw holding a panel concealing them), but the hard disk is not similarly situated. The battery pops out, but there's nothing accessible from that compartment -- ditto for the DVD. I'm at a loss right now.

 

[ShellGuy]

Try here.



Will G.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
Try here.



Will G.

Ah hah! Thanks, I hadn't tried that screw.

 

[ShellGuy]

YW....



Will G.

 

[cheesehead]

It's actually pretty easy to replace the hard drive in the D600. Just remove the hard drive caddy (should be in lower left corner of laptop) and remove all the screws. There's a black adapter on the end of the hard drive; just pull it off. It will fit fine on the new hard drive.
I just installed a Hitachi drive into a D600, and it seems to work nicely. Hitachi seems to make good stuff.