laptop/notebook

[chipy]

i'm looking to buy a cheap/used laptop computer. i'm wondering how new it has to be in order for it to support a large hard drive (350GB). i don't want to get anything too old for fear of it not supporting the hdd.

thanx
chipy

 

[chipy]

i found the answer to my question... sort of. the older notebooks (and other computers) need to have their BIOS software and/or OS upgraded to support 48-bit LBA technology which allows the use of hdds with capacities greater than 137 GB.

i found the information here.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You can't buy a 2.5" hard drive over 200 GB yet. Are you thinking of an external enclosure with a 3.5" desktop hard drive in it? Or one of those 20-pound gamer laptops that use desktop parts inside?

 

[chipy]

i am wanting to connect my 3.5" desktop hdd using an external ide/ata to usb cable. the cable comes with a power adapter/cord and i have a vantec hdd encloser with fan.

thanx - chipy

 

[imported_Seer]

EDIT: Selective reading 4tw. I see you mentioned OS's in your reply. I only read BIOS. Sorry

Also, be sure that you're running xp SP1 or later. Otherwise you will be limited to 137GB., probably less if its an older operating system than xp.

 

[fbrdphreak]

There are no conventional storage limits put forth by a laptop when using an external drive. Since you're adapting it to USB, the limitation is in the IDE-->USB chipset.

 

[chipy]

thanx for the info fbrdphreak! that is definitely good news since the usb-ide cable i'm looking at says it supports up to 400MB capacity.

chipy

 

[corkyg]

The only problem you might have is if your external Vantec case is not powered. It will then not be seen by any laptop.