• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Laptop replacement hard drive

M

MrScott81

Golden Member
So I need to find a replacement for my IBM Travelstar 40gb hard drive. I have no idea what kind of drive to look for, as searching on the net for this gives me different conflicting reports about the interface...some say ata-5, other say ata-6, and others say ata100....the part number is "07N8327". It came out of an HP Pavillion 5700. Can anyone help me find a replacement? Thanks in advance!
Scott
 
Both should be fine. Hitachi is essentially IBM...they sold off their HD business to Hitachi awhile back. As for ATA-5 or ATA-6, it makes no difference in actual speed, even @ 7200 RPM spindle speeds. If I had to choose between those, I would probably go Hitachi as their desktop ATA drives are among the fastest, so their notebook drives should be good. Fujitsu has been around for awhile too though, and they both have FDB's and a 3 year warranty, so you really can't go wrong with either.

As for install, I'm working on a Dell lappy right now, and in most of them, you usually need to take out a small screw, slide out the drive in it's tray, unscrew four more little screws holding the drive to the tray, and remove the drive. Install is the reverse...just pop it back i nthe tray, screw it down, slide it back in, and you are done.

🙂

Edit:

It appears there are 7200RPM notebook models now, I wasn't aware as I really don't follow laptop tech as much, not having one myself. I mainly just work on them from time to time..

🙂
 
laptop hard drives are IMHO even easier to change than PC's.... at least the ones I have done!

lift up the keyboard, or undo a screw underneath and take a plate off... pop the drive out and put in a new one (only one plug, supplies power as well)

just put a 40gig seagate into a co-worker's lappy... works perfectly and a bit faster than the old Hitachi that bit the dust 🙂
 
its only easy to replace the HD if it is easy to access the HD. you might want to look for some directions online before crackign open the case.
 
CraigRT-

You needed to lift the KB? On the few I've done, mostly HP, Compaq, and Dells, the screw is on the case of the laptop, not under the KB. Is this something that happens with those ultra slim models?
 
I've had to switch laptop drives before, and on the models I played with (VAIO and Fujitsu), the HDD connector was really hard to pull out. In addition, it's one of those thin membrane-like plastic cables, and I kept fearing that I'd accidentally tear it and destroy my laptop. So, just be careful if your laptop uses one of those cables (or do all laptops use them for HD cables?).
 
Check your manufacturer site to see if they have video instructions - although it's quite simple really.

The first time I was looking for info I went to the IBM site and they had videos showing how to access the hd.

The main thing is getting the right hd for you.

Currently, reviews and shootouts suggest that it's worth it to go from 2mb to 8mb cache and 7200rpm from 5400rpm from 4400rpm. Heat and noise are relatively negligible compared to the performance gained.

In order of preference:

1-cache
2-spindle speed
3-everything else
 
AFAIK, the biggest 7200rpm drive is only 60gb, while 80gb 5400rpm drives are widely available. 60gb is small as it is, regardless of having a faster rotation speed.
 
Mine is easy, I have an Ashton Digital Laptop. On the bottom I remove two screws that hold a plate. Just take the hd out and put one back in. No wire no trouble, just takes a few seconds. It installs like a cartridge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top