Wanting to upgrade my R40 with a 320GB HDD

[Simba7]

I'm just wondering..

I'm looking into upgrading my ol' R40-2724 and went to NewEgg to find a 320GB Western Digital HDD.. I found one for under $100..

Now.. The question is.. Can I use it without problems? Can I just pop it in, reinstall the OS's, and run it like normal?

[sojourner]

a 320 for under $100?? What type interface is it, likely an SATA!
I do not own an R40 but it is an older PC and likely requires IDE or PATA (not SATA) interface!!

Lastly, they make a PATA 320GB HDD which would likely fit but the question is, did IBM provide a BIOS update which would properly recognise HDD's over 137GB. Perhaps someone with R40 knowledge can help us here.

[ajkula66]

@sojourner:

No, OP is correct, that is the latest PATA 320GB from WD.

And Simba7, you should be fine with that drive on a R40. I believe that the old BIOS wall of 137GB doesn't apply there.

And of course, welcome to the forum!

[sojourner]

ajkula66, thanks for the update on the 320 drive issue. It's hard to imagine a drive so recently introduced is alrerady under $100!

And Simba7, didn't see this was your first post; welcome to the forum!

[Simba7]

Thanks.. I've had this laptop for almost a year and it's been quite solid. Just want to max it out and get the most out of it.

I'd love to get Vista or Windows 7 on this, but the only problem is the Radeon 7500 video card. I'm already dual-booting Windows XP MCE 2005 and Gentoo Linux.

..although I am pondering on installing OS X, also..