Help in Upgrading my Inspiron 9100 HDD

Hi everyone,

I have a (rather old now) Inspiron 9100 that I retired due to issues with heat and performance. However, I've been wanting to resurrect this machine, especially due to it's VERY good processor for a laptop. It's a nice desktop replacement, that's for sure.

Perhaps a month or so ago though . . . it stopped recognizing the HDD! I couldn't figure anything wrong except the simple explanation of that the HDD must've gone out on it. So, without thinking I bought a 320gb HDD to replace it. Only afterward realizing I didn't even check to see what type of drive it needed!!

Sure enough . . . I have a very nice 320gb SATA drive, and the 9100 decides to thwart me by only going for ULTRA ATA drives!

Is there something I can do about this? I don't want to return the drive for another, that's for sure. Unless . . . there are similar deals on Ultra ATA drives like what I got (320gb for $70)? I saw some connectors that will go from SATA to Ultra ATA and others vice versa and all that, for about $15-$20. Is this the route I need to go (and which one, SATA to Ultra ATA or the other way around)? Also . . . is there anything else I would need, such as casings to enclose the drive or wiring so that it's not all exposed? I apologize for my ignorance on this, I've never really modified such things in this manner.

I am TRULY grateful for any and all help in this, and thank you in advance!

 

I don't think there's enough space inside the laptop to fit a device that converts SATA to IDE; these are more often used in desktops, since there's much more room there. You can keep the SATA you have, use it as an external, or future laptop, but you'll have to pick up an IDE drive, and those aren't really going cheap at the moment since all laptops are running on SATA, so there's less demand for IDE, so they're not making many anymore. =/

 

Thanks!

Well I have two other computers, one being a Tablet and the other another laptop. But I was really wanting to get some use out of my 9100 instead of just letting it die, because it isn't a bad laptop at all. Only issue I have is the battery can't hold a charge so it really is stuck like a desktop.

I was wanting to use it somewhat of a backup computer or main one in case my other ones experience issues like what happens seemingly often with me.

Is there no way that I can resurrect this machine (Without costing a bunch)? I definitely did notice IDE drives were pretty expensive

Can I actually run an OS from an external (using the drive I bought as an external)? I figured it may cause issues with performance? (I'm wanting to put linux on it, so that I can try to get some experience with that and everything).

Thanks again for the help!

 

You can boot a live linux CD (like Ubuntu), but then you don't have the ability to save files, except to external hard drives. I ran Ubuntu in a friend's 14" Inspiron (I don't remember the model, it's like 1425 or something), and external drives can be recognized (so you can put the drive you have into an enclosure). It looks like everything is loaded into memory, and whatever is needed will be pulled off the CD, so no performance loss except when loading. You can eBay for an IDE hard drive, maybe they have some cheap ones, or just watch out for rare deals.

 

I picked up a 160GB Western Digital Pata, exactly what you require for only $75.

almost the same as a full tank of gas in most cars today in America.

You have to search in the right places.
Remember Google is your friend.
I've found great deals on Tiger Direct at times.
Also, one great deal can be found next to 5 bad deals.
This is how ALL discount businesses work.

Look for your desired Hard Drive over a period of a few weeks and with your credit card in hand, order it and have it sent to your door.