Is it possible to swap the hdd from an X61 to a X200?

[rmendoza]

Hello everyone,

My x61's mobo just died a few days ago. I thought about buying another mobo, but I am also considering buying a used X200 or x201. I was wondering if I could just pop my old hdd, from the x61, which still has all my files and settings, into the "new" thinkpad, without installing anything. My common sense tells me that it is probably not possible (since we are talking about two different models to begin with), but I thought I would ask before I went ahead and reformatted the hdd. All input is welcome.

Robert

[emeraldgirl08]

Different chipset and different components in your X61 do not equal same chipset and same components in an X200.

It may start up but you most likely will have issues as the drivers for the X61 would not complement the hardware in an X200. For instance the integrated graphics in the X61 is the Intel X3100 while the X200 uses the Intel X4500MHD. I would be quite positive the wireless cards would be different also. Those differences would lead to conflict and likely will result in a blue screen of death (BSOD).

Starting from scratch would be the only choice. You may want to back up any valuable data from your X61 drive before formatting it. Good luck

[emtee3511]

Here's a similar topic on the Forum -- maybe post#3 would work for you
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=91927

[Tasurinchi]

1+ For a clean install, newer Windows like Win7 or Win8 may be smarter to recognize new hardware with "eventually" few bsod's, but a lot of garbage software may remain as well.

[91011]

It can be done, which isn’t to say it should be done – a clean install is far better.

Using similar hardware to your situation, I just took a clean, T61 Win 7 Pro 32 bit install and moved the drive to an x201s.
Booted fine, Windows found all but three devices & installed drivers. TVSU did the final few.
Windows Update seems a bit confused but besides that no obvious problems.

If you’re trying this with Win XP all bets are off – don’t bother.

[rmendoza]

I thank you for all the replies. The X61 had a 320 gb wd scorpio black, with Win7 ultimate.

My thinking is exactly the same, that a clean install is much better. Moreover, I suspected that being two different chipsets /mobos, I might be asking for trouble if I just swapped the hdd straight into the "new" x2**. The reason I asked is because I was just wondering if I could avoid all the work of reinstalling everything from scratch. That being said, a clean install might make for a nice weekend project.

A related question: it seems like ssds prices have dropped low enough that I might consider getting a new one and using the scorpio black as backup with an enclosure. I don't need the absolute fastest drive, just one that is reliable and fast enough. I was thinking that maybe Intel or Kingston, just in terms of reputation, might be the way to go. I know that PNY and OCZ make some nice drives as well. Any recommendations/advice on this?

Again, many thanks, and all input is welcome. Best.

Robert

[Tasurinchi]

My personal favorites are Intel and Crucial, but Samsung also has a very good reputation and I also have a Corsair working very nice in my X200s.

I would stay away from OCZ, which is receiving lots of mixed feedback. I got once cheap and it works as fine as the rest, but I wouldn't go for another one, seems risky.

My 2 cents...