Laptop Harddrive Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Newfdog
  • Start date Start date
N

Newfdog

Are laptop harddrives standardized? I have a compaq e500 that I would
like to add a larger harddrive to. Can I just buy any laptop harddrive?

Newfdog
 
The very best thing that you could do is to track down the information
specifying what kind of hdd you have in your computer, the interface and the
largest capacity the bios on your computer will see; and also if the bios
has a newer version that could allow your computer to see a larger disk if
that is what you had intended.
 
The motherboard's BIOS has to be able to recognize the GB size of the hnew
harddrive. Older laptops cannot use the newer larger harddrives.
 
In addition to BIOS issues, there are physical limitations. Often the
HD is placed in a plastic case with a special connector that makes it
easy to remove/replace the drive in the laptop. Compaq, e.g., might use
one connector while Dell another. If you just buy a generic HD, it
won't have the special connector. (You can probably remove your
old drive and use it's case/connector on the new drive but you have to
do this carefully.) Also, note that laptop drives come in various
thicknesses, not just various capacities.
 
Bennett said:
In addition to BIOS issues, there are physical limitations. Often the
HD is placed in a plastic case with a special connector that makes it
easy to remove/replace the drive in the laptop. Compaq, e.g., might use
one connector while Dell another. If you just buy a generic HD, it
won't have the special connector. (You can probably remove your
old drive and use it's case/connector on the new drive but you have to
do this carefully.) Also, note that laptop drives come in various
thicknesses, not just various capacities.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this info. It is what I was looking for. I did know about the
BIOS issues and was wondering about the size and connector issues.

Newfdog
 
Also consider external hard disk drives. Small and compact enough to
carry around and give you that extra space.

Just to give you an idea:
http://www.computerbatteries.co.uk/gb3/b/ehd0060g.html

Or if you want much more capacity, consider standard 3.5 inch Hard
Disks with capacities in excess of 200GB.

The benefits of external hard disks is that you do not need to worry
about internal conflicts, BIOS problems and compatability.

Hope this is useful.

Battery Wizard
http://www.ComputerBatteries.co.uk
 
Back
Top