Sata2 on Sata1 compatible laptop

I'd like to buy a hard disk to a Toshiba Satellite model A105-S4104. This laptop is SATA 1 compatible (1,5Gb/s). However I’d like to buy a SATA 2 (3Gb/s) HDD and use it on other future machine.

I’ve done some research and I know this is possible with desktop machines and HDDs of 3.5”. This is, use a SATA 2 HDD on a SATA 1 compatible desktop. I’ve read this is possible by setting jumpers…

Is it possible with laptops? In other words, can I buy a 2.5” SATA 2 HDD to this Toshiba Satellite A105-S4104, and will it work? Are there those jumpers in this kind of 2.5” HDDs?

Could someone help giving detailed support to this problem?

Please, note I'm asking this questions becouse I bough a 500Gb Sata2 Hd and it wasn't even recognized by BIOS. So I gave it back to vendor.

Notebook’s support page
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/...A105-S4104&selCategory=3&selFamily=1073768663

Notebook’s technical specification
http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/satellite_A105-S4104.pdf

Western Digital Scorpio Blue (WD3200BEVT)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.wdc.com/pt/products/products.asp?driveid=377

Samsung Spinpoint M7 (HM320II)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.samsung.com/global/busin...=72&type=62&subtype=67&model_cd=448&ppmi=1159

Samsung Spinpoint MU-X (HM320JX)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.samsung.com/global/busin...=72&type=62&subtype=85&model_cd=396&ppmi=1182

Seagate Momentus 5400.5 (ST9320320AS)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...f20a110VgnVCM100000f5ee0a0aRCRD&reqPage=Model

Seagate Momentus 5400.6 (ST9320325ASG ou ST9320325AS)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...cb2d110VgnVCM100000f5ee0a0aRCRD&reqPage=Model

Seagate Momentus 5400 FDE.3 (ST9320322AS)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...d7ec110VgnVCM100000f5ee0a0aRCRD&reqPage=Model

Toshiba (MK3255GSX)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.sdd.toshiba.com.tw/produ...name=320GB+MK3255GSX+(5,400rpm)&id=P_00000086
http://www3.toshiba.co.jp/storage/english/spec/hdd25/55.htm
http://www.sdd.toshiba.com/main.asp...HardDiskDrives/MKxx55GSXSeries/MKxx55GSXSpecs

Toshiba (MK3253GSX)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.sdd.toshiba.com/main.asp...dDiskDrives/MK3253GSX/MK3253GSXSpecifications

Toshiba (MK3252GSX)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.sdd.toshiba.com.tw/produ...name=320GB+MK3252GSX+(5,400rpm)&id=P_00000028
http://www3.toshiba.co.jp/storage/english/spec/hdd25/52.htm
http://www.sdd.toshiba.com/main.asp...HardDiskDrives/MKxx52GSXSeries/MKxx52GSXSpecs

Thank you…

 

SATA 2 and SATA 1 are interchangable just like desktops(except no jumpers).

Edit: Oh and by the way, I recommend Seagate over Samsung, from my experience they don't last as long and are slower.

 

SATA2 drives are backwards compatible, the drive's interface will just run at 150MB/s (SATA1 speed).

 

SATA2 drives will work on SATA1 drives at SATA1 speeds.

 

BTW you won't notice any difference with the speed because the drives are ~80MB/s max anyways.

in my other post I meant ~150MB/s, since the speed is actually supposed to be 1.5Gbps or something else.

 

Speed is not a problem here, but capacity.
So, can I buy any of these HDDs and it will work? (at 1,5Gb/s speed)

I'm asking becouse I bough a 500Gb Sata2 Hd and it wasn't even recognized by BIOS. Then I gave it back to distributor.

 

You should add this information to your first post.

Also, what was the model of the drive? (not just the brand, if you remember)

 

I don't remember, but it was a Samsung... I've tested a Samsung 320Gb HM320JI before, and it did not work too. I'm almost sure it was HM320JI.

Just pluged it, and it was not recognized, but I dindn't do anything else becouse I did not know what to do. This same model worked as external HD running with a SATA Enclosure.

 

Received it from seagate:

You ask :

1. " I'd like to buy a hard disk to a Toshiba Satellite model A105-S4104. This laptop is SATA 1 compatible (1,5Gb/s). However I’d like to buy a SATA 2 (3Gb/s) HDD and use it on other future machine. I’ve done some research and I know this is possible with desktop machines and HDDs of 3.5”. This is, use a SATA 2 HDD on a SATA 1 compatible desktop. I’ve read this is possible by setting jumpers… Is it possible with laptops? In other words, can I buy a 2.5” SATA 2 HDD to this Toshiba Satellite A105-S4104, and will it work? Are there those jumpers in this kind of 2.5” HDDs?

Regarding the jumpers; the jumpers for the Momentus models you are interested in, can be set, just as in a 3.5" drive, to 1.5 or 3.0.

2.Could someone help giving detailed support to this problem? Notebook’s support page http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/...A105-S4104&selCategory=3&selFamily=1073768663 Notebook’s technical specification http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/satellite_A105-S4104.pdf

Desirable Seagate’s HDD models: Seagate Momentus 5400.5 (ST9320320AS) Seagate Momentus 5400.6 (ST9320325ASG ou ST9320325AS) Seagate Momentus 5400 FDE.3 (ST9320322AS) "


Laptop computers have 3 main issues to address:

1) Physical compatibility. Seagate laptop models come in 9.5 mm height, or approximately .374 of an inch. Verify what your computer can support and select a model that meets that maximum height requirement

2) Addressing capability; Most SATA laptop systems employ a 48-bit addressing system for data transfer between the operating system, BIOS, the system chip sets and the hard drive. 48-bit LBA addressing, increases the drive capacity limit to 144 petabytes. Hardware and software solutions are required from your O/S, BIOS and Chip Sets to enable the 48-bit address feature set. Some laptop BIOS are set with a manufacturers own limitations and contacting the manufacturer regarding maximum drive capacity is recommended.

3) System compatibility. Some laptop manufacturer's designs were somewhat proprietary and would only work on certain model disc drives. This means the manufacturer had designed a system that has requirements beyond the SATA ANSI standards as determined by the American National Standards Institute, (ANSI) committee. Again, contacting the manufacturer regarding maximum drive capacity is recommended.

We believe the drives you selected will present no physical problems but you will need to confirm that prior to making your purchase. You will need to contact Toshiba regarding capacity limits. Operation in 1.5 and 3.0 environments is no issue. We have included the specifications of the selected drives for your review.

 

Anybody else? =D

 

I presume the SATA II drive is not working in your laptop

Have you tried changing the interface speed in the drive's firmware?

You can do this with programs like Hitachi Tool, Western Digital Lifeguard, Seagate has a program - Seatools, I think that is what its called.

In these programs you should have the option to change the drive speed. Change the drive from SATA II mode to SATA I mode and enable SPEED SPECTRUM
If you do not do this, regardless of moving a jumper, the drive will not be recognized

EDIT:
Oh I almost forgot, you need to do firmware editing on a system which can power up the drive.
So you need to plug this drive into a desktop which can recognize the drive. Than install the Hitachi Tool disc, and you can change the firmware.
Once the speed is changed, and speed spectrum is enabled, shut the desktop down, and put the drive back in your laptop

More on this issue:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=347779

K-TRON

 

Thank you guys. You've been very hepfull!

Unfortunately Toshiba Support doesn't work. I tried it with no luck.

Anyway, I've got it from Seagate's and Western Digital Support:

Seagate's answer is at page 1 of this topic, or here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4854752&postcount=9

WD's

And the Great Toshiba Support answered me:

Somebody else, or something else?