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    Upgrading Hard Drive Questions

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by ThePerson, Oct 13, 2008.

  1. ThePerson

    ThePerson Newbie

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    I was looking at upgrading the hard drive inside of my notebook...is it fairly easy to open the notebook up to change hard drives? I've built computers before and I've upgraded the memory in this notebook before. I was looking at a SATA 3.0Gb/s-type hard drive to replace it with located here -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136197

    I asked asus support about this too and they said "The chipset on you notebook can only utilize hard drives using the SATA 1.5 specification. We have not tested for compatibility for SATA 3G/SATA II Hard disc drives."

    But that sounds pretty vague. What do you guys have to say? My notebook is the Asus A8Js.

    Thanks.
     
    ThePerson, Oct 13, 2008
    #1
  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Most notebooks have the HDD under a cover on the bottom. Have a look at yours.

    The HDD should detect the maximum interface speed supported by the computer. I've run a Fujitsu MHZ2320BH in the Toshiba R500 (which has the old Intel 945 chipset) without problems. Asus are just putting up some paper armour because they haven't tested it to be sure. A bit like all the notebooks which officially only support 1GB RAM modules because that's the maximum they tested.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Oct 13, 2008
    #2
  3. Michel.K

    Michel.K 167WAISIQ

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    It should work like a charm and should be as easy as to swap out the ram. I have the 945chipset and the 320GB 7200rpm HDD works like a dream without any performanceloss.
     
    Michel.K, Oct 13, 2008
    #3