T41 (2373-FM) - Replacing hard drive - max size?

Message

pmhutch · #1 Post by **pmhutch** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:34 pm

Hi

I have a T41 (2373-7FM) with the supplied 40 GB Hitachi hard drive
(data sheet at: http://www.hitachigst.com/tech/techlib. ... asheet.pdf)

I'd like to replace it with a larger hard drive and am thinking of the Western Digital model WD1000VE, data sheet at:
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products ... anguage=en

The original Hitachi is specified as having an ATA-6 interface and S.M.A.R.T. failure prediction. It also says that the data transfer rate is 100 MBps

The Western Digital drive is specified as having an EIDE 100MBps interface - nothing in the spec sheet about S.M.A.R.T.

I'd appreciate it if anyone can help me with the following questions:

1. The Lenovo site mentions 30, 40 and 60 GB drives in relation to this machine. I'm assuming that this is because the max size originally supplied by IBM was 60GB. Will there be any problem with the BIOS/ Windows supporting up a 100GB interval drive? (My guess is 'no' as I have a 300GB external USB drive working without problems, but just wanted to check.)

2. Is ATA-6 the same as EIDE 100MBps? i.e. will the drive phyically have the same connector, and will it interface OK?

3. I have an external USB case for a 2.5 inch drive enclosure and my plan is to put the new WD drive into it and transfer my entire existing internal drive contents (including Windows) to it. Question: Would I have to use a program like Norton Ghost, or will Windows Explorer be OK if I select 'Show Hidden files' with a view to copying everything?

4. Is the fact that the WD drive does not show it as having S.M.A.R.T. significant? Is this now standard in all laptop drives?

Any other comments and guidance greatly appreciated. I need to make a decision on this soon, so earliest reply would be great.

Thanks
Paul

pmhutch · #2 Post by **pmhutch** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:56 pm

Hi

Sorry, forgot to include this:

- Could I (and should I) in fact look for a 100GB 7200 RPM drive? My Thinkpad is slow to boot up, with lots and lots of disc activity (may also be due to excessive caching as I have only 512 MB memory with Win XP SP2?). Will a 7200 RPM drive improve things signifcantly, and what effect might it have on battery life?

Thanks
Paul

#3 Post by **richk** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:04 pm

The 7200 RPM does speed up the boot process and a 100GB drive will work in that machine.

pmhutch · #4 Post by **pmhutch** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:08 pm

Thanks. Any noticeable effect on battery life, and any recommendations for brand of drive? I have read about Toshiba, Seagate and Samsung in this forum, but haven't found any mention of Western Digital...

#5 Post by **richk** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:50 pm

I haven't noticed any effect on battery life, but I haven't really tested it. I tend to prefer Hitachi drives only because the IBM/Hitachi Drive Fitness Test is my favorite diagnostic program and it works best on Hitachi drives.

t20user · #6 Post by **t20user** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:28 am

FWIW I recently put a 120GB in my T41 with no problems.

Souza L'Novo · #7 Post by **Souza L'Novo** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:26 pm

.

160GB goes in with zero issue. (160GB Samsung HDD)
.

Temetka · #8 Post by **Temetka** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:49 pm

I have a 120GB Fujitsu drive in my T41P (23730GGU) and it works great. Based on other users mentioning in this thread the make and model of their upgraded drives, you shouldn't encounter any major problems. Just find the drive you want, buy it, and install it.

cmarti · #9 Post by **cmarti** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:12 am

Any of one found here will work.

T41 (2373-FM) - Replacing hard drive - max size?

T41 (2373-FM) - Replacing hard drive - max size?

Additional question - upgrade to 7200 rpm drive?

Who is online