ThinkPad X30 and Hitachi Travelstar 7K100 HTS721010G9AT00 HD

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areiss · #1 Post by **areiss** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:33 am

Has anyone successfully installed this drive (Hitachi Travelstar 7K100 HTS721010G9AT00 (0A25015) 100GB 7200 RPM ATA-6 Hard Drive) in an X30?

My model is the 2672 RU1, 1.2GHz, 512MB, 40gig (original) drive, running XP Pro with SP2 and all latest MS updates. I have no Ultrabay and use an external optical drive (DVD/CD writer).

I have not updated since purchase in late 2003 any BIOS, Embedded Controller or Firmware.

BIOS - current version is 1.02 1KET41WW.
Embedded Controller - current version is 1.00.
Firmware – do not know or how to locate.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

seneca · #2 Post by **seneca** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:03 am

To my knowledge the X30 can handle any hdd size. If it doesn't work with your lappy, update the embedded controller and bios.

And btw, I've had an 80Gb model of the same brand fail on me a few times. If you can, choose a different brand of hdd, like seagate, they are very silent and doesn't produce much heat.

JHEM · #3 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:14 am

seneca wrote:And btw, I've had an 80Gb model of the same brand fail on me a few times.

4K80 (80GN), 5K80 or 7K80?

Specific failure mode?

Regards,

James

seneca · #4 Post by **seneca** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:49 am

christopher_wolf · #5 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:06 am

Never had any problems with those Hitachis; I like the 7K80 myself.

seneca · #6 Post by **seneca** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:31 am

The cause was probably due to thermal runaway. It gets very hot in a soekris case http://www.soekris.com.

christopher_wolf · #7 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:42 am

Maybe, I don't know for sure; nice boards though.

areiss · #8 Post by **areiss** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 7:40 am

Gentlemen,

Thank you for taking a look and for your comments. I gather that the 7k Hitachi drives are good. I did quite a bit of web searching trying to see if I am doing the right thing by upgrading to the 7k 100gig drive. I contacted Hitachi and Lenovo/IBM and did not find anything definitive, however, I came to the conclusion that it should work.

I went ahead and ordered this drive and the APRICORN EZ-UP-UNIVERSAL kit.

I see that some of you are Moderators so are much more knowledgable in this area than I am. In the absence of someone who has actually done this conversion on a X30, could I ask your opinion if this is a good decision.

Thanks again.

areiss · #9 Post by **areiss** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 6:13 pm

I replaced, without any problems, the 40gig HD in my X30 with the Hitachi Travelstar 7K100 HTS721010G9AT00 (0A25015) 100GB 7200 RPM ATA-6 Hard Drive. I have booted up several times, tried out external devices, launched several programs, went online and compared my back-up files. Everything worked nicely.

I used the Apricorn EZ-UP Universal kit to transfer all files and OS. The Apricorn User Guide is fairly straightforward. File transfer with the Clone option was done by loading the EZ Gig II software rather than using it as a bootable disc. I wanted to avoid changing the BIOS, if possible. The X30 supplied sufficient power to the Apricorn kit through my USB 2.0 D-Link PCMIA Cardbus without the need for external power. The whole operation (36gig) including replacing the HD took about 2 hours. No BIOS, Embedded Controllers or Firmware were changed. The new drive is quiet, at least as quiet as the 40gig.

The Apricorn kit enclosure now houses my old 40gig drive which will be used as an external HD. Only a USB 2.0 cable is needed. It will be ideal for travel.

I bought the drive and the Apricorn kit from Newegg for $198.98 inc. shipping (offered as a combo- drive $149.99, Apricorn $49.99, $10 rebate for combo, $9 shipping)). It was delivered in 3 days (ground shipping). I checked Ebay and found 3 drives that eventually sold for about $120-130. When I questioned them about warranty I did not get answers that gave me any confidence. I contacted Hitachi who advised against buying on Ebay, warranty issues and fakes. For that little difference, it was not worth the risk.

For reference,

My model is the 2672 RU1, 1.2GHz, 512MB, 40gig (original) drive, running XP Pro with SP2 and all latest MS updates. I have no Ultrabay and use an external optical drive (DVD/CD writer).

I have not updated since purchase in late 2003 any BIOS, Embedded Controller or Firmware.

BIOS - current version is 1.02 1KET41WW.
Embedded Controller - current version is 1.00.

Hope this helps other X30 owners.

cmarti · #10 Post by **cmarti** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:56 am

areiss wrote:

I wanted to avoid changing the BIOS, if possible.

Is there any special reason why you do not wan to update the bios?

Just curious!

areiss · #11 Post by **areiss** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 6:15 am

Here is an extract from the "read me text file" related to the latest BIOS update.

Software Name BIOS

Support models ThinkPad X30

Operating Systems Windows XP (Home Edition and Professional)
Windows 2000
Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6a or later
Windows 98 Second Edition
Windows 98

Version 1.09

Issue date June 26, 2006

UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS

Notes:
- If your computer runs satisfactorily now, it may not be necessary to update the BIOS.

==================================

It goes to mention some risk associated with BIOS upgrade.

Since the installation of the new HD did not present any problems and I have not had any problems since, I considered it prudent not to mess with the BIOS.