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    thinking about upgrading the hard drive

    Discussion in 'HP' started by kevinf, Nov 9, 2008.

  1. kevinf

    kevinf Notebook Evangelist

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    sorry for posting two questions in a row but i am thinking about upgrading the hard drive. is the HP's protect smart technology built in the drive or the computer. if i buy a new hard drive, will the hdd light still turn orange and protect the drive if i drop the laptop
     
    kevinf, Nov 9, 2008
    #1
  2. cpu2k

    cpu2k Notebook Consultant

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    You'll need to purchase a hard drive with an accelerometer (a.k.a. g-sensor, shock sensor, etc.) in order for HP Protectsmart software to work.
     
    cpu2k, Nov 9, 2008
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  3. kevinf

    kevinf Notebook Evangelist

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    this one should work right?
     
    kevinf, Nov 9, 2008
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  4. cpu2k

    cpu2k Notebook Consultant

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    That one actually doesn't come with a shock sensor (or a free fall sensor in WD terms) The only WD models that come with the sensor is their 7200RPM line of drives (Scorpio Black)
     
    cpu2k, Nov 9, 2008
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  5. kevinf

    kevinf Notebook Evangelist

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    is there a big difference in battery life between using a 5400rpm drive and a 7200rpm drive
     
    kevinf, Nov 9, 2008
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  6. Han Bao Quan

    Han Bao Quan The Assassin

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    This is not true, the one built in HP is software, not related at all to any type of free fall sensor in 3rd party hard drives.

    @ OP: which laptop do you have, Pavilion doesn't have any free fall sensor hardware built in.
     
    Han Bao Quan, Nov 10, 2008
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  7. cpu2k

    cpu2k Notebook Consultant

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    There isn't going to be a big draw on power... if you have a lot of hard disk activity, battery life will take a hit... WD claims that their Scorpio Black drives give the performance of 7200RPM drives with the power consumption of 5400RPM drives... so I guess there won't be a major impact on battery power...
     
    cpu2k, Nov 10, 2008
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  8. kevinf

    kevinf Notebook Evangelist

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    yeah there is the protect smart technology that parks the head when there is enough acceleration detected. the laptop is the pavilion dv4t.
     
    kevinf, Nov 10, 2008
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  9. Han Bao Quan

    Han Bao Quan The Assassin

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    it it's built in hardware, it should work with any hard drive.
    Also having one built in the hard drive is even better.
     
    Han Bao Quan, Nov 10, 2008
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  10. kevinf

    kevinf Notebook Evangelist

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    so any hard drive i put in will take advantage of the protect smart feature?
     
    kevinf, Nov 10, 2008
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  11. Han Bao Quan

    Han Bao Quan The Assassin

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    Yes........
     
    Han Bao Quan, Nov 10, 2008
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  12. speedracerlo

    speedracerlo Notebook Enthusiast

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    only if i knew this, i would not have upgraded to 400gb on my HDX 16t i just ordered...
    id very much rather have a 7200rpm 16mb cache HDD than the 5400rpm crap that HP offers
     
    speedracerlo, Nov 14, 2008
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  13. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    You can get a hard drive with built-in shock protection, it just parks the head or stop the drive when the accelerometer detects g forces.

    Since the new HP's come with an accelerometer already, it just gives the HD a stop command.

    Any HD can be used with it ;)
     
    flipfire, Nov 14, 2008
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