Laptop Hard Drive replacement

[AMCRambler]

Hey guys, Got another one for you. This may have already been asked but I couldn't find it so here goes. I have a friend with a Thinkpad Iseries 1400 with a bum hard disk. We are probably going to replace it but I'm not sure what specs a new laptop hard drive will have to have in common with the old one. I know for pc's you have to make sure of the transfer rate Ata66/100 is the same and also the interface, scsi, ide etc. How about for laptop drives? Do they all use the same interface? Does the physical dimension of the disk come into play(I would think so as laptops are a space issue)? This is a pretty basic question and I'm asking you guys because you may have done this before and know a few things to look out for. hanks for the help bros.

 

[Mingon]

The most important factor is the height, laptop drives come in 9.5mm and 12.5mm sizes. The larger sizes are older drives i.e pre 1998 or newer 5400rpm ones.

 

[vailr]

Laptop HD's are always IDE 44 pin. They can be used on a desktop machine using a $5 adapter:http://store.yahoo.com/harbourtownsales/212lapdrivto.html

 

[Workin']

You'll need a 2.5" IDE drive of the appropriate height. Be sure to get one that is the same height or thinner than the old one. They all use the same connector, you don't have to worry about that.

The old drive will probably be in some type of carrier or sled that you will have to take apart and then reassemble with the new drive inside.