T42 replacement HDD - sata interface ok

[dave anson]

I want install a larger HDD (160GB travelstar) but most larger travelstars have sata interface and it seems (but not sure) that the T42 has an IDE interface.

Can anyone tell me is the T42 is compatible with a sata interface HDD?

Regards
Dave

[basketb]

You won't be able to use a SATA drive as your main HD in the T42. As you already mention it has to be an IDE or PATA HD.
There are some discussions around here for PATA drives as big as 250GB. Just do a search for them.

You can use a SATA drive as the second drive with an appropriate Ultrabay HD adapter (the original Lenovo one for the T6x won't fit into your T42 unless you physically modify it, but 3rd party ones you can find on ebay will fit).

BTW: the ThinkPad T4x Series forum is for T42 issues/questions.

[dave anson]

noted, thanks for the feedback

dave

[Johan]

... if of interest, a bit of additional information about upgrading T42/p HDD's; types available etc.; check out the following threads, which will give you an idea of your various options: Hitachi website - 7K100, 100 GB PATA HD is unavailable and T41 - HD recommendations ? and WTB 7200 RPM PATA for T41 and Is PATA dead? and Pata HDDs and older Thinkpads and Western Digital Scorpio 2.5" 5400 Hard Drives..Any Opin and T40 & HDD upgrade; the post of Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:22 pm and the links pointed to therein. The 250 GB WD is cheap these days; see the thread WD 250GB PATA - $79.99 at Newegg.

PS: As mentioned above, it is possible to use a SATA HDD in a T40/T41/T42/T43 (/p) in a modified UltraBay adapter, as discussed e.g. in the threads T42, Ultrabay Slim and Hitachi Travelstar 7K200-200 or SATA HDD in Ultrabay drive. Nowadays, 2.5" SATA HDD's are available all up to 500 GB (!!) - far out with this enormous capacity!

Johan