Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › SATA HDD replacement.... Will this work?


265 posts

Ultimate Geek
Topic # 83573 18-May-2011 21:20 Send private message

The HDD in one of the laptops had died... It was a Hitachi 5K500 - But the 400GB model.

I have found this one to buy... It is the exact same model as far as I can see... But in the 500GB version. So will this HDD work? All I will need to do is load windows onto it and chuck it back into the laptop...?

Also... If anyone else has any better suggestions about an HDD it would be really appreciated as ive only had a short look around.

Just wanted to check before I bought it...

Thanks

Create new topic
They see me trollin'
1594 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Telecom NZ
Subscriber
  Reply # 470807 18-May-2011 21:50 Send private message

It will work no problems :)




Michael Murphy
[Twitter] [Last.fm] [IPv6 Sage]

Anything written up there is my own view on life, the universe and everything.

6888 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Subscriber
  Reply # 471065 19-May-2011 12:57 Send private message

You don't need to use the same model, just the same/similar physical casing size and interface/connection.

You could upgrade to a SSD for a huge performance boost if the space in the laptop is standard 2.5" and the connection is standard SATA.

Typically you install the drive in the laptop then install windows not the other way around.

Do you have a disk image or backup of your windows installation that was on the old disk?



265 posts

Ultimate Geek
  Reply # 471180 19-May-2011 16:17 Send private message

Ragnor: You don't need to use the same model, just the same/similar physical casing size and interface/connection.

You could upgrade to a SSD for a huge performance boost if the space in the laptop is standard 2.5" and the connection is standard SATA.

Typically you install the drive in the laptop then install windows not the other way around.

Do you have a disk image or backup of your windows installation that was on the old disk?


It was just that the same model happened to be the cheapest out of all the SATA's...

... Does it just have to be a 2.5" SATA... Is SATA II the same? As there are a lot of them listed as well.

Okay... If I put the HDD in and boot it... will it ask me to install OS drivers?.. I was just going to connect it to my other laptop with a SATA -> USB adapter... But if I can load Windows on using the laptop itself that would be easier.

I havent got an image from the old disc... But have the product key from the old windows... So will just load a copy of 7 on and use the Key.

Im guessing that its a standard SATA connection and it fits the 2.5" drive... So I guess so... What sort of HDD would you recommend instead...

Thanks

6888 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Subscriber
  Reply # 471397 20-May-2011 00:37 Send private message

Practically any drive that fits the space in the laptop and has the same interface will work, most newish laptops take standard 2.5" drives with the SATA interface.  However, it would pay to double check what your laptop make/model takes.

You typically need to install Windows with the drive in the laptop because a checksum based on the hardware is used for windows activiation and specific drivers are installed during windows installation depending on what the hardware is.

You can install windows 7 from bootable media like an install dvd or if you have a spare USB thumb drive you can make a bootable USB to install win 7 from (if the laptop doesn't have a dvd drive).


Create new topic
Twitter »
Follow us to receive Twitter updates when new discussions are posted in our forums:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when news items and blogs are posted in our frontpage:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when new jobs are posted to our jobs board:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when tech item prices are listed in our price comparison site:




News »
Android and iOS combine for 92.3% of all smartphone OS shipment in the first 2013 quarter
Posted 17-May-2013 08:38

Apple’s App Store marks 50 billionth download
Posted 17-May-2013 08:25

Gen-i divests Davanti Consulting through management buyout
Posted 16-May-2013 14:02

Huawei G510 bring big-screen mobile entertainment for Android users
Posted 16-May-2013 11:49

BlackBerry BBM goes multiplatform: iOS and Android versions
Posted 15-May-2013 11:28

BlackBerry introduces BlackBerry 10 QWERTY smartphone
Posted 15-May-2013 09:32


Trending now »
Hot discussions in our forums right now:

A reason not to shop at dick smith
Created by dsnz1, last reply by AKLWestie on 17-May-2013 22:45 (82 replies)
Pages... 4 5 6

A new project coming to Geekzone
Created by freitasm, last reply by Niel on 20-May-2013 06:01 (200 replies)
Pages... 12 13 14

HTC One (2013) owners' discussion
Created by Dingbatt, last reply by Finch on 19-May-2013 22:02 (1441 replies)
Pages... 95 96 97

Sitting on a boring conference call
Created by SaltyNZ, last reply by SepticSceptic on 17-May-2013 16:52 (14 replies)

Samsung Galaxy SIII Discussion and Owners Thread
Created by networkn, last reply by Johnk on 19-May-2013 16:32 (5523 replies)
Pages... 367 368 369

Chorus is cutting the cost of VDSL to service providers from June 7
Created by maxzzz, last reply by Zeon on 19-May-2013 19:40 (46 replies)
Pages... 2 3 4

Office 365 service outage 2013-05-18
Created by freitasm, last reply by nitrotech on 19-May-2013 18:58 (18 replies)
Pages... 2

Best DVD Ripping software?
Created by Finch, last reply by dclegg on 19-May-2013 13:21 (27 replies)
Pages... 2


Geekzone Jobs »
Most recent NZ jobs in technology:

Exciting Intern Opportunity
Posted 19-May-2013 20:27

Business Analyst
Posted 19-May-2013 18:27

Senior Business Analyst
Posted 19-May-2013 18:27

Senior Business Analyst
Posted 19-May-2013 18:27

Project Coordinator, Reputable Company, Career Pro
Posted 19-May-2013 18:27

Change Manager - Large Financial Services Organiza
Posted 19-May-2013 18:27

Software Developer - Join a market leading company
Posted 19-May-2013 18:27


Geekzone Live »
Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.

Updates »
Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.

Alternatively, you can receive a daily email with Geekzone updates.