ThinkPad R51 new hard drive not seen at bootup

[redlantern]

I'm trying to replace my 120 GB drive with a 250 GB drive (both are PATA (IDE)). Yet the 250 GB isn't seen at bootup. The Geek Squad guy at Best Buy then initialized it in another computer, said it was SEEN there. But when it was put back in my ThinkPad, it was not seen. He then booted up my laptop with a CD and saw it. But, without his CD, I still can't boot up with the new drive. All I want to do is to expand the storage capacity. I made a GHOST image of the 120 GB drive and planned to bring the image onto the 250 GB HD. Question: Does ThinkPad R51 have a size limitation regarding the hard drive? Originally my ThinkPad came with a 40 GB HD. I replaced it soon with a 120 GB HD (and was able to boot up and see the new drive). And now I can't with the 250 GB HD.

Anybody has any idea why?

Many thanks!
Redlantern

[Harryc]

Hit F1 on boot up and go into BIOS. Is the hard drive seen in startup/boot order in BIOS?

[RealBlackStuff]

Remember: hard drives go in upside down (label to the bottom of the laptop).

[redlantern]

F12 doesn't show the new HD, just legacy floppy drive, CD/DVD drive. As said, new HD is not seen at bootup. Also, HD was put in correctly. Note that the Geek Squad guy from Best Buy was able to see the new HD after booting the laptop from his own CD. But that's from the CD. The fact is, you can do formatting the new HD from a CD, but once you put the HD into the ThinkPad R51, it won't be seen. So, the point is, it is useless unless the laptop's BIOS recognizes the new 250 GB HD.

[ajkula66]

You do have the drive in its caddy secured with all 4 screws?

This is *not* an issue of BIOS limit, many people - myself included - have used these 250 GB drives in R5x/T4x machines...

[redlantern]

Yes, Ajkula. It was in its own frame (with 4 screws) in exact way like my other drive (120 GB).

[ajkula66]

If I were a betting man, I'd be betting on a defective drive, if all the connections are fine and your machine runs 120GB drive with no issues.

Yes, I'm well aware what the Geek Squad guy said.

I'm also someone who has repaired hundreds of Thinkpads that Geek Squad had messed up, so let's say that I don't trust any of their techs as far as I could throw them...

Try returning the drive for a refund and starting fresh.

Good luck.

[redlantern]

I planned to do just that, Ajkula. I'd probably look for another 250 GB HD and try again. Thanks.

[vannman]

I think the drive is not long enough. If you slide the HD without the caddy (the black thing that attaches to the computer's body) it should slide in the connector and boot. I've checked and that seems to be the problem with mt r51.

[RealBlackStuff]

2.5" Hard disks all have the same size.
But T4x/R5x laptops come in 2 sizes, with 14.1" or 15" LCD.
That's why they also have 2 different hard disk covers, one with short 'legs' for the 14.1" model and one with longer 'legs' for the 15" models.
You cannot use a 14.1" cover in a 15" machine (which seems to be vannman's problem).