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    Toshiba A70 hard drive upgrade?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Canaduh, Mar 19, 2008.

  1. Canaduh

    Canaduh Newbie

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    I bought a hard drive for my Toshiba A70.

    A seagate 80gb #ST980825A, 7200rpm 8MB 2.5"

    Will i be able to run this hard drive in my laptop?

    Is anything else needed besides putting it in and reformatting?
     
    Canaduh, Mar 19, 2008
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  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    It should work although there can be unexpected surprises with older computers. The computer and the HDD appear to have the standard IDE connector. You can either install the new HDD and then install Windows and applications or you can use software such as Acronis TrueImage to clone your existing HDD onto the new one. You will also need an external 2.5" IDE - USB enclosure to do this. But the enclosure provides the facility to use your old HDD as extra storage.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Mar 20, 2008
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  3. Canaduh

    Canaduh Newbie

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    Well actually, the reasoning behind replacing the hard drive was that it died. I also can't seem to boot from the windows xp cd to do the re-formatting. I've reformatted many computers, but am kind of baffled this time. I'm thinking something may be wrong with my cd drive, so i may replace that and see what happens. Just wanted to make sure i'm not fighting a losing battle with a wrong hard drive.
     
    Canaduh, Mar 22, 2008
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  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Does the BIOS see both the hard disk and optical drive? If not, check if the old HDD had any jumpers. There is the small possibility that it shares the same IDE channel with the optical drive and you need a jumper.

    Another way to check this possible conflict is to disconnect the hard disk and see if the optical drive boots OK.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Mar 22, 2008
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