Assistance in: Installing second HDD on M17 - which, where from, other tips

Hi dudes and dudettes,

I have posted a thread in the What notebook should i buy, very helpful and ended up with a M17. I really enjoy the lappy and cross fingers so far it runs extremely smooth after full day of tunning vista, drivers, etc.
Unfortunately my HDD is gettin pretty full now - its 320@7200 (games and music) and i consider gettin second one. After trying to find some info i still do have some specific questions on the subject. I kindly ask for your assistance:

1. Slot. From what ive read there is a space/slot where to install the 2nd HDD? I need a confirmation just to make sure? I know it makes sense since the case is the same, but anyway

2. Which HDD I ordered with 320GB 7200RPM HDD and from the topic in "Upgrading Components..." seems another 320GB 7200 HDD would be a good choice. Would you recommend any specific brands, model or other tips on what HDD to get? i do care about noise btw

3. Where to get HDD. Well since im outside US and lets say newegg which is so recommended for obvious reasons is out of the question atm. However i have business trip in the US NYC and i was wandering if you guys can recommend me a store/retail to check (circuit city? best buy?...) Ill be stayin in a hotel and delivery most likely is out of the question

4. How to install I havent found a guide, is there one for M17 installing HDD. Or if someone can brief me fast would be awesome, im new to lappies, but have build 7 PC configs from scratch last 10+ years so i do have some idea (and im brave ).

5. CPU upgrade Bonus question. I have got the lappy with T9400 i can upgrade the cpu to QX9300 right? it doesnt require mb change? How about future processors?

Thanks a lot for takin the time to read this and reply maybe

Please excuse my english and spelling
BR,
Nick

 

1. yes there is a free SATA slot in the m17.
2. either 320Gb@7200rpm or 500gb@5400rpm if you're buying now. 500Gb@7200rpm drives are supposed to be coming out soon though.
3. sry, can't help here.
4. remove service panel, insert and fasten HDD, close back up, done. should be all.
5. yes you can upgrade to QX9300 without mobo change, however you won't be able to overclock it. future processors... well, Intel is constantly introducing new models, so it's hard to tell, but i think it's a safe bet to say that there's always something faster/more efficient round the corner

hope that helped.

 

Wow that was very swift thanks.
I see you have the NC2000 is it noisy, happy with it? Seen good reccomendations for it. I guess i have to get a lappy cooler just in case when im in the US.

So the store question stays and if someone has any other tips to add

 

the Zalman fans are quiter than my laptop fans. but you do notice a difference between hearing just the laptop fans and laptop fans + cooler. with that said, the Zalman is barely hearable and does a great job at cooling.

 

If you need detailed instructions and diagrams on how to add hard drives and/or CPUs, the service manual for the OCZ Whitebook (same system as the Alienware M17) is available in a thread by ichime here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=317503.

 

Or you can just use the alienware site to find the info you need.

http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/alienware.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5918&p_created=1219863596&p_sid=XnxqFknj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTg4LDE4OCZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfc2NmX2ZhcXMqYz0mcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1oYXJkIGRpc2sgbTE3&p_li=&p_topview=1