Author Topic: Laptop question (Read 226 times)

StarOfAfrica2 · « **on:** August 29, 2006, 09:48:02 PM »

Friend gave me an old PIII Dell laptop he had that was missing a hard drive. It boots to BIOS ok. I had an older HD I thought I could use, but turns out the connection is too small for the plug in on the computer. Dell lists the hard drive specs as "ATA-5", but all new ones I can find are "ATA-6". Will these plug in and work? I know squat about laptops. Dell wants 150 bucks for a 20GB ATA-5 HD, where I can get a new 40GB ATA-6 drive for 52 bucks at Newegg.

Help?

*edit

Looking at time frames, I have to assume ATA-5 is the laptop version of ATA-66, and ATA-6 is the equivalent of ATA-100? I'm guessing. Still no clue if the connections are the same though.

Krusty · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2006, 11:16:06 PM »

Newer technology is seldom backwards compatible. The older drive might be more expensive because it's harder to find, out of production, or scarce.

I would be very surprised to hear if the newer HDs would fit in the older laptop.

38ruk · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2006, 11:43:45 PM »

I have a 40gig hitachi ata-5 , model is DK23ea-40 . Its sittin in a box, let me know if ya need it. 38

CptA · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2006, 08:46:17 AM »

Any 2.5" ATA Hard Disk Drive of 9.5mm thickness should work.

You failed to mention the model number of this laptop...so I'm guessing here...

You may be missing the Hard Disk caddy or adapter required for this system.

Go to the Dell support website and search for the user manual for this laptop. Look for the section that covers upgrading the HDD and see if it needs a caddy or adapter. These are available from lots of sites on the web.

Just do a search for your model.

Good Luck!

CptA

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2006, 12:06:31 PM »

I have the caddy. The HD I have fits perfectly inside it. The problem is the connection where the HD plugs into the computer. Not that I really mind buying another HD anyway, the one I had was only a 4GB drive. But it would have gotten me up and running. Dell does mention an adapter, but doesnt list it as a separate part. I'm just going to go to one of the computer stores in town after work and hope they have what I need. Even if I could get a similar drive for half the price, it does me no good if I have to have this adapter.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2006, 03:56:03 PM »

I was afraid of this. Stores dont sell the proper adapter. Dell refuses to sell it as a separate part, they want to sell me an entire hard drive with caddy and all in one piece and the only one he says he has in stock costs over 200 bucks (plus shipping and handling). And of course it took me 45 minutes of dealing with the automated phone system to even TALK to the sales guy.

Screw that.

I found a place on ebay that sells Dell factory new parts in the Dell boxes and even includes Dell support if installed in a Dell computer. Half the price of what Dell wants to sell me themselves. Dell can kiss my big fat hairy arse. If the computer hadnt been free I'd toss it in the trash. Stupid companies and their proprietary parts.