Does Fujitsu MHW2160BJ 160GB 7200rpm 2.5" have a freefall sensor

[ark42]

Does a Fujitsu MHW2160BJ 160GB 7200rpm 2.5" have a freefall sensor?
It came in my Vostro 1700, but I thought only Seagate and maybe Samsung drives had the sensor from what I can gather on Google and Fujitsu's website.

 

[Rubycon]

Are you talking about the shock sensor that determines if the drive has been exposed to excessive g's?

 

[ark42]

No, I believe it detects when the laptop is dropped more than a few inches, and moves the heads to the side and disables read/write temporarily to avoid damage. What you said sounds like just a way to check after the fact if the drive was dropped maybe.

 

[Rubycon]

Yes I've heard of that before. It sends it to a landing zone automatically when a sudden change in gravity is detected. I guess those NASA guys using lappies on the vomit comet better start using SSD's.

Detailed specs should be available through FJ. (PDF) This feature, if present; should be noted in this documentation.

 

[ark42]

I couldn't find any mention of it at http://www.fujitsu.com/us/serv...le/mhw2160bj-sata.html
Perhaps I just missed it, but the "datasheet" PDF didn't have much information in it at all.
I specifically purchased the 160GB with freefall sensor from Dell, for the price as the 250GB 5400rpm without freefall sensor, half because it seems like a good idea, and half because I hoped for a Seagate brand drive. Right now I'm not even convinced that the Fujitsu even has this feature Dell advertised.

 

[Rubycon]

Hmmm...

Probably does not have that feature. Chances are if you drop that computer the hard drive will fare OK but the PC chassis itself will not. Of course HDD's can take a decent beating when OFF. When spinning and R/W, they are MUCH more fragile.

 

[ark42]

Well if it doesn't have that feature, it seems like it's going to be a difficult case to argue with Dell support over.
The choices on the Vostro 1700 currently still list what I just purchased:
160GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive, 7200RPM, for Dell Vostro 1700 Notebook add $0
Dual Hard Drives, 240GB (2x 120) 5400RPM Hard Drives [add $50]
Dual Hard Drives, 320GB (2x 160) 5400RPM Hard Drives [add $200]
250GB 5400RPM Hard Drive [Included in Price]

I specifically selected that first option, and I'm kinda upset if this Fujitsu doesn't have that feature.