The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
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  1. Limerick91

    Limerick91 Newbie

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    Hi Guys, new here.

    Just wanted to buy a few things for my laptop (Acer Aspire 5051) and need some help on some bits :)

    I've upgraded the RAM already to 2GB, next i wanted a bigger hard drive, the stock one at the moment is only 60GB.
    What things would i have to look out for to check the compatibility of a new hard drive?

    Thanks.
     
  2. trieudoahong

    trieudoahong Notebook Consultant

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    can you take a picture of your current HDD, or just tell us the model?
     
  3. Limerick91

    Limerick91 Newbie

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    It is a 'Hitachi HTS541660J9AT00 55.89GB'.
     
  4. trieudoahong

    trieudoahong Notebook Consultant

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    Well it's a ATA 60GB. Let find another ATA IDE HDD on Newegg, ebay or somewhere else and replace the old ones.
     
  5. Limerick91

    Limerick91 Newbie

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  6. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    ATA == PATA (i think)

    so it should work

    think its the same number of pins too
     
  7. ramgen

    ramgen -- Morgan Stanley --

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    No, the HDD that you have posted (Hitachi Deskstar) is a DESKTOP drive, not a laptop drive... It will not fit at all...
    You have to look at 2.5" PATA (ATA) drives...

    paper_wastage;
    please edit your post since it is misleading

    --
     
  8. Limerick91

    Limerick91 Newbie

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    Ah! Got ya, so im looking for a 2.5" ATA drive? Is there any other variables to look for?

    Thanks for helping :)
     
  9. trieudoahong

    trieudoahong Notebook Consultant

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    Make sure your BIOS can handle HDD more than 137GB. If not, you must upgrade your BIOS or find a 80/120 GB 2.5" HDD
     
  10. ramgen

    ramgen -- Morgan Stanley --

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    You may find different names such as PATA or ATA or IDE and they all refer to the same format. Just don't buy SATA (Serial ATA) which is not compatible with your laptop.

    Once you choose your model, you may post the link here before purchasing to get a final confirmation. I will be happy to assist you...

    --
     
  11. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    Your laptop uses PATA based laptop harddrives.
    Your best option for value is the Samsung HM160HC.
    It is tied for the fastest harddrive for the 2.5" PATA interface.

    Please check one thing for me.
    Download HDTUNE
    In the Info tab there is a box called "48 bit addressing"
    If the box is checked than your system supports harddrives larger than 160gb
    If the box is not checked, you will have to partition any drive larger than 137gb down to stay under the limit.

    If the 48 bit addressing box is checked, two good drives to look at are the:
    Samsung HM160HC (160gb 5400rpm single platter)
    Western Digital WD3200BEVE (320gb 5400rpm double platter)

    Both will perform identical as both are based on 160gb platters

    If your system does not have the 48 bit addressing box checked, you should look at the Samsung HM080GC (80gb 5400rpm single platter - only one face used)

    Here is my review of the Samsung HM160HC
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=264209

    K-TRON
     
  12. Tinselworm

    Tinselworm Notebook Deity

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