Anyone upgraded hard drive on Sony Vaio FS-series

Does anyone know how to put a Hitachi 7K60 to swap out the 4200 RPM.

I am guessing it is going to be harder than the A-series.

Anyone out there who has tried it?

 

I'm thinking of taking the plunge with my FS550. I removed the existing drive today with no problems - just a few standard screws. I'm still trying to decide between the 7k60 and the 5400rpm drives from Seagate and Western Digital. Any thoughts from some of the experts out there?

 

If you can afford the 7200, I'd definetly recommend it. They are not hard to swap. The crappy part is you have to re-install the OS. Removing the hard drive should be covered somewhere in the manual. Good Luck.







I know things, things that could get me killed


Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *

 

Finally someone responded

I would second the previous post. Go with 7200 RPM. It will dissipate more heat, but you will know it how fast your notebook starts up as if it were on steroids.

MurphyJa can you please post the instructions for the install. Esp.
any things to be careful about while doing it. The A series was very
complex to upgrade.

There is one problem that a friend of mine faced due to hidden partitions. As is known, the recovery disks only work if you have the hidden partitions on the disk, otherwise they don't. And even when you use recovery disks with the hidden partition, you may still lose the use of the Hotkeys which you get addicted to. Well somethings you can't even do without those keys like adjust the screen size after resolution adjustments.

The way I think this would work, if you are able to make an exact copy of your drive with the hidden partition. Buy a USB enclosure, put the new drive in and copy the existing drive image, then swap the two out. The trick is in getting the hidden partition.

Let us know if you were able to do it without problems.

 

I just ordered the Western Digital Scorpio 5400rpm drive so I'll let you know how it goes - the drive should be here this weekend. I still might go for the 7k60 - I'm just worried about heat buildup and noise since the front of the FS550 is so thin. Are my worries unfounded?

 

The 7200 drives do run warmer, but not too bad.











I know things, things that could get me killed


Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *

 

I received my Western Digital 5400rpm drive (8mb cache) and must say that I'm underwhelmed. The speed increase is noticeable but not great, and there is an extremely annoying clicking sound during hard drive access. It's very faint but my ears are sensitive so this is a deal breaker. I'm now thinking of taking the plunge and getting the 7k60 - they look to be around $150 on eBay which doesn't seem bad considering the exceptional performance.

in terms of installation, you literally need a small philips screwdriver and about 6 minutes of time. it's almost self-explanatory it's so easy. no tricks involved whatsoever, which makes me very happy that I bought the FS550.

 

Yesterday I installed a new Hitachi 7K60 7200 rpm drive in my Sony VAIO K series (PCG-K86P), to replace the standard 4200 rpm 60GB drive. The difference in boot time is noticeable, but there is an even bigger difference in general use (e.g. opening programs, using disk scanning utilities etc..) - it's much quicker now.

Along with the new drive, I purchased a copy of Norton Ghost 9.0 and a USB 2.0 case to fit a 2.5" notebook hard drive. I installed the new 7K60 drive in the USB 2.0 case and initialized the new drive in Windows XP. I then did a copy of my standard drive to the new drive, one partition at a time (the VAIO factory install creates two partitions on the disk by default). I then swapped the drives over. It worked like a charm (after a few initial problems - see below), and now I will use the USB 2.0 case with my old drive and copy the entire contents of my hard drive once a month or so as a backup.
A couple of pointers based on problems I had:

1. Don't partition the drive yourself and then transfer the contents of the drive to those partitions. Leave the whole drive as "unallocated space", and then let Norton Ghost partition and format the drive for you automatically as it copys your partition(s) (even if you have more than one partition, Ghost will take care of it). I initially partitioned the drive myself, but my VAIO didn't like that.

2. Don't assign drive letters or labels to the new drive in Norton Ghost. Although "My Computer" won't recognise the drive in this way, Norton Ghost will recognise it as "unallocated space" to which you can copy your partition(s).

3. Make sure you copy the master boot record (MBR) when you copy the partition containing the operating system to your new drive (this is an option in Norton Ghost). You don't need to do this when you copy any additional partitions.

Please note that I couldn't use my VAIO system recovery DVD with the new drive installed - I got the error message stating that the DVD did not match the system - probably due to different hard disk model/serial numbers. If I need to use the DVD in the future I'll just swap the hard drives back over, then recover, then ghost the hard drive again and then swap back!

Hope this helps someone.

 

PS. (as if my previous post wasn't long enough!)

The new drive is noticeable louder than my old one (both rotation noise and access noise) as expected. However my VAIO cooling fan is so loud anyway (and it's always on) so it doesn't bother me too much.

Cheers

 

Let me just say that upgrading to the Hitachi 7K60 from a 4200 HDD is the best upgrade you can make.

I'm writing this on my new Sony FS570 which arrived late friday afternoon. When first booting with all the pre-installed software the 4200 HDD was noticebly sluggish.

All of that significantly improved when I swapped drives and installed a fresh copy of XP Pro.

My boot time now is around 1 min. Prior to the upgrade it was around 3 min.

In terms of the laptop running hot with the 7K60 on a FS570 it's not even an issue. I was running it for serveral hours and installing several programs and at the most it was realatively warm.

Let me add a couple more points about doing this upgrade.

- I agree with Dawsman, don't parition the HDD. Just install your OS on the new drive and use a program like Parition Magic later. It will save you alot of trouble if you never did it before (speaking from experience).

- Regarding using Sony Recovery Kit on the new drive, I also had some trouble at first but I was able to eventually recover all of the programs (Quicken, VAIO Control Center, MS Works, etc).

Before you attempt to recover make sure you install the VAIO Shared Library utility as well as all the updated drivers from Sony's website FIRST.

Also, use custom recovery and install eash program seperately and retart the computer after each new program is installed.

One other point would be before you run the recovery wizward make a System Restore point in case you mess up.

Oh yeah, the 7K60 is actually only 57GB and some change, just thought I would mention that.

 

Webster - how is the noise and vibration on your FS570 after upgrading to the 7k60?

 

Sorry to butt-in murphyja

Webster

When you say you installed a fresh copy of Windows XP, do you mean a different copy to that supplied on the recovery CD's? I assume so because you say you installed the sony applications individually after installation of the OS.

I would like to try this because I don't use any of the supplied applications (mostly media applications e.g. DVGate, Sonic Stage, VAIO Zone etc...) they are a waste of resources in my opinion.

If this is the way you went, did your VAIO "complain" at any stage about not having the factory-installed software?

 

murphyia -

In terms of vibration it virtually doesn't produce any. However, there is some noise when the drive is reading and writing but it's not a loud grinding noise, it's more like a gentle ticking.


dawsman -

This is exactly what I did:

1 - First thing I did was make a Recovery Media Kit (1 CD-R and 2 DVD's).

2 - I removed the old 4200RPM HDD and replaced it with the new 7K60.

3 - Installed a new full OEM version of Windows XP Pro.

4 - Installed all the required drivers from Sony http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-list.pl?template=EN&mdl=VGNFS570 (your going to need to make a back up of these on CD too)

5 - Install each driver one at a time, restart after each driver is installed or whenever it prompts you.

6 - Once you have all the Sony drivers installed, connect to the internet and download the latest updates from Microsoft (I did this before recovering any Sony utilities).

7 - Now insert Recovery DVD 1 and attempt to recover a single application, restart and repeat the process until complete.

Now this is how it worked for me, however it could be different for you if you are doing a "clean install" from the recovery disks. I was using a new copy of XP Pro that was purchased separately, I only used the Recovery Media Kit to recover a few utilities, I didn't need to use them to recover the entire operating system.

Just make sure you have the Sony Shared Library installed before recovering anything. It's listed on the drivers page.

As far as the system complaining when I was recovering it, that did happen the first time when I tried to check off too many programs and recover them all at once. After doing a System Restore (make one before you recover anything), I installed them one at a time and it didn't give me any errors.

 

To all the upgraders:

Were you able to make the hotkeys work? I am so dependent on them ...

What may break the deal for me is the storage space. I am already up
to 20G with software and some media.

 

Well I don't have an FS series, but the hotkeys on mine still work (those that I've used anyway e.g. screen brightness adjustment, volume adjustment etc...).

 

You can always buy an external HD enclosure and use the old drive for additional storage. For me 60 GB is more than enough storage for what I need to do with a laptop.

I have another work computer for all my large applications.

As for hotkeys, the FS only has two. They are called S keys and I believe someone already posted that information in the forums.

Search the Sony forums for it.

 

my hot keys work fine after upgrading the hard drive and performing a clean install - the hot key drivers are on Sony's support site. the only driver that is NOT available for download is the color management profile for the LCD, though I can't say that it made a big difference after installing it.

 

Hello!

Well, my vain attmepts to lobby for a Dell dind't quite pay off, but the FS115S (Which is a discontued model? Already?!) seems good, if a bit expensive given the HDD specs and RAM speed.

ANYWAY:

Wanted to almost immediately go about, at th very least, unisntalling some of the software that comes with it, and att he most reinstal windows.

Q 1: Can the restore disc JUST install XP? Or is there no way to avoi dit dumping the software back onto the drive?

Q 2: IF I formatted, and reinstalled XP (the backup verison without any programs if possible - would like to keep it legal!) can I stil laod in the restore DVD/CDs and run the restore program? Or will it not work if there is no hidden partition? AT ALL?! Not even allow me to install programs/shared library individually?

Q 3: How many DVDs does the restore disc take up?


**ANY** help answering these questions would be enormously appreciated!

 

i wanted to share the following experience:

i recently exchanged the original 4300 rpm? harddisk against a Samsung MP0804H 80 GB disk (5400 rpm). And I didn't like the sound of it. It was a little too high pitched for me. Now I have a Fujitsu Hornet V50 100GB MHU2100AT (4200 rpm). Which is not so noisy as the previous.
But now the next problem is heat. Before, my Notebook hardly ever had to start the fan, now it's much more often trying to cool the components. But I can live with that. 40 GB simply wasn't enough since I'm using it to cut Video and some other stuff.

 

An update to my situation. Since I've had my VAIO PCG-K86P I've not been happy with the performance - sluggish for a P4 3.2GHz, 512MB RAM. Since purchase I've upgraded to a 7200rpm HDD (see above) and upgraded from 512MB to 1GB RAM (Kingston KSY-GRX500/512), and while this improved the performance (in particular the HDD), it still wasn't fantastic.

I'd finally had enough and tried Webster's idea (above) and installed a fresh copy of Windows XP Pro (purchased separately), and reinstalled the drivers and selected applications from the recovery DVD. Man, what a difference!! Boot times reduced from 2.5 mins to just over 1 min, plus much better performance during general use.

I highly recommend this to anyone who feels they have a sluggish VAIO. I'll avoid using factory software from now on.

 

Dear All,

I bought a Samsung MP0402H 2.5" drive for my lappy, to replace my Fujitsu. However this drive also has a "high-pitch" operating noise coming from it. Can anybody recomend a 40gb hard disk for a laptop which does not have this high-frequency/ high pitch noise, which I could use with my laptop?

Kind Regards,

Rob

Rob Jones
HP NX8220 (UK)

 

Hi Rob - I had heard how quiet the Samsung drives were but I also couldn't stand the whining noise. The quietest drive I've found is the Fujitsu 5400rpm series (i have EXTREMELY sensitive ears). Performance is okay, not great, so I'm now using a 7k60. at first, the 7k60 was too loud (annoying clicking noises, like a Western Digital drive I tried), but after enabling the acoustic mgmt, the drive is MUCH quieter and is still very fast.

I've never tried any of Hitachi's other drives, but I would assume that 5k100 would be extremely quiet.

I also tried a Seagate Momentus 5400.2, which is a very fast drive (due to the high areal density of 86 vs. 70 for most other drives), but it made a strange thumping sound that I found annoying. that drive was otherwise quiet so if you can deal with the thump that might be worth a try.

finally, the new 7k100 drive will be both quiet (for a 7200 drive) AND fast, though you can't buy one until mid-july.

good luck,

John

 

i have recently bought a SONY VAIO fs 215 s and had the same problem with you in order to change the HDD with my 7200 Hitachi. all you have to do is keep the disk that the unit came with start the set up (propably already set) because it comes with the c disk a partition and a recovery (hidden) partition. anyway within the software you will find a sony recovery tool or something like that i dont know how they call it in english because my software is in greek.
moreover, this software will guide you to create 2 RECOVERY DVDs. when you have done with that then you can change the HDD of the unit and go through the proccess (NOTE use first the second written disk and then the first)otherwise it WONT BOOT!!!.

also something i want to ask ANYONE??
my system SONY VAIO FS 215 S CPU 1,86 Pentium M, 1 GB ram at 333,HDD 7200 HITACHI. does anyone knows if i can upgrade the RAM to a faster clock dual or DDR2 because i believe that it reaches only the half of the chipset bandwidth. CHIPSET intel 915??

 

unfortunately you're stuck with PC2700 DDR RAM at 333 on the Sony FS series. DDR2 uses different voltage and a different slot design. the performance increase isn't huge unless you're really pushing the limits of the machine.

 

Anyone your comments please
my first problem is that i have bought a sony vaio fs215s which has 1,86GHZ cpu and 1GB ram (333) (replaced the HDD with my 7200RPM Hitachi),
first as it comes with windows xp home i need to upgrade it to PRO (HOW?) i have tried so but most of the buttons and "other sony system goods not working".
and the second is that it seems too slow not only to start up (2-3 minutes)but also in applications. the reason i am saying that is because the vaio replaced my acer travelmate 4500 series with 1,5GHZ centrino and 512+256 RAM installed, where, overall to tell you the truth ACER was faster (or at least i believe so) i had installed the 7200 HDD in my acer as well. my opinion is that probably the vaio interface or other programs that came with makes my pc slower, is that true?. I believe that the vaio zone, club vaio and other utilities eat the memory, because i believe that the memory is not enough (where it is 1GB).

 

i have a Toshiba MK-8025GAS/IDE 80GB Hard Drive 4200 rpm in my sony vaio
FS630 notebook.I'm planning to upgrade the harddrive with a 7200rpm .Can anyone please suggest me if it's compatible with mylaptop or are there any other things that i need to change along with that.I have a 512MB RAM, centrino1.73GHz processor .I am also planning a RAM upgrade later.

thankyou in advance .