Questions Regarding Upgrade of X31 hard drive

[blipblop]

1. Where can I find the Technical Reference Manual for the IBM x31 (or more specifically, for model 2885-PWU). This would be essential for me to replace the harddrive.

2. What size and type of harddrive is used in the x31? I have a 40gb currently inside, and want to upgrade to 60 or 80gb. I know that they are 2.5" drives (pretty sure, at least). Is that all I need to know in order to purchase one, or are there other variables that I need to consider?

3. When I get the appropriate drive, what is the best way to copy over the hidden partition? I want to preserve the X31's awesome recovery system that has the factory install hidden away on a seperate partition, available with the click of a button. Do I need special software to do so? Also, I was planning on buying a USB hard drive enclosure so as to connect the new hard drive via USB and somehow mirror my current drive onto it - then go on and physically replace the new one for the old.

Thanks a bunch for your help in advance.

[ychandrani]

1. Where can I find the Technical Reference Manual for the IBM x31 (or more specifically, for model 2885-PWU). This would be essential for me to replace the harddrive.

Its called the hardware maintenance manual and its at
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-44018

But it is not essential for you to look at the HWM in order to replace the harddrive.

You can go here http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46084 and watch a little movie that will walk you through physically removing the current drive and installing a new harddrive.

2. What size and type of harddrive is used in the x31? I have a 40gb currently inside, and want to upgrade to 60 or 80gb. I know that they are 2.5" drives (pretty sure, at least). Is that all I need to know in order to purchase one, or are there other variables that I need to consider?

Yes, a 2.5" hdd, slim harddrive is what you want. Get a 5400 RPM drive at least. Here's a link to an example of the kind of drive you want to look for. This one is a Hitachi 60GB 5400rpm drive with an 8MB buffer:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 022&depa=0

3. When I get the appropriate drive, what is the best way to copy over the hidden partition? I want to preserve the X31's awesome recovery system that has the factory install hidden away on a seperate partition, available with the click of a button. Do I need special software to do so? Also, I was planning on buying a USB hard drive enclosure so as to connect the new hard drive via USB and somehow mirror my current drive onto it - then go on and physically replace the new one for the old.

Newegg has 2.5" USB 2.0 enclosures for less than 15 bucks. Also checkout local computer stores. To mirror the existing harddrive you can use either Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost. Search the forums, there are lots of posts on this issue.

[monty cantsin]

1. Where can I find the Technical Reference Manual for the IBM x31 (or more specifically, for model 2885-PWU).

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-44018

This would be essential for me to replace the harddrive.

No, it's so easy you don't even need the HMM for that.

2. What size and type of harddrive is used in the x31? I have a 40gb currently inside, and want to upgrade to 60 or 80gb. I know that they are 2.5" drives (pretty sure, at least). Is that all I need to know in order to purchase one,

Yes.

or are there other variables that I need to consider?

Well, like desktop drives, these small notebook drives are nowadays also available with different rotational speeds. The 4200rpm ones are usually the most quiet but also of course the slowest. Usually 5400rpm drives have been a bit louder than their 4200rpm counterparts, but that's history with the new Samsungs or the brandnew HitachiGST 5k100 line. They are already noticeably faster than the 4200rpm drives. Top of the line are 7200rpm drives that can reach desktop performance, but some people can't tolerate the noise level.

3. When I get the appropriate drive, what is the best way to copy over the hidden partition? I want to preserve the X31's awesome recovery system that has the factory install hidden away on a seperate partition, available with the click of a button. Do I need special software to do so? Also, I was planning on buying a USB hard drive enclosure so as to connect the new hard drive via USB and somehow mirror my current drive onto it - then go on and physically replace the new one for the old.

Predesktop Area white paper, p.10, "Appendix. Creating an image of the hard drive":
http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.ws ... MIGR-46023

[blipblop]

That was the fastest I've ever gotten intelligent and direct answers to a posted question on ANY forum I've posted in. Kudos to you both and thinkpads.com!