SATA HDD replacement.... Will this work?

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

Starplay

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#83573 18-May-2011 21:20

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

michaelmurfy

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#470807 18-May-2011 21:50

It will work no problems :)

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Ragnor

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#471065 19-May-2011 12:57

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?

Starplay

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

#471180 19-May-2011 16:17

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

Ragnor

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#471397 20-May-2011 00:37

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).