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    Lenovo T400 wants a Hard Drive Upgrade with questions.

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by 2hand, Oct 13, 2008.

  1. 2hand

    2hand Newbie

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    I want to upgrade my T400 from 80GB to 320GB.

    1. What software can I use to copy the whole data from the old hard drive to the new one?
    2. Am I going to use the "ThinkPad Serial ATA Hard Drive Bay Adapter" to perform such process? It costs like $45, pricy~~, any alternative?
    3. Would a 7200rpm be a good pick over 5400rpm? Will it generate more noise and consume more power?
     
    2hand, Oct 13, 2008
    #1
  2. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

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    (1) Any decent drive copy/clone program should work. Examples would be Acronis or Norton. One caution, I've heard Acronis can have issues with Vista partition resizing, consider doing a 1-for-1 clone keeping partition sizes identical, then expanding the C: partition afterwards.

    (2) I don't know what you're going to use, that's your choice. You need the new version of the Hard Drive Bay Adapter not the old version; get part #43R1980 and it will work. Cost me $40 through CPP. Other option is a USB external enclosure. Cost for something decent may run $15 to $40, see Newegg.com for options. Watch the ratings. The Bay Adapter has added benefit of without a drive it'll save you some weight vs. the CDROM.

    (3) Yes. Old school answer was yes to more noise and power, but that's not really the case any more.
     
    Lew, Oct 13, 2008
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  3. K3nt

    K3nt Notebook Guru

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    I am going to be upgrading my hard drive over Christmas i think, and i have these exact same questions. I bought my T400 with the 80GB 5400rpm drive and it is whisper quiet - something that i would like to preserve after the upgrade. The drive will be purchased from Newegg Canada, and i was thinking of something along the 200GB - 250GB range. 200GB should be fine but if a 250GB one happens to be a better deal then i will probably purchase that one. My main concern is compatibly, in addition to the questions above. do i get ATA, SATA, etc...
     
    K3nt, Oct 13, 2008
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  4. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

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    T400 and T500 requires SATA. ATA will not work.

    My 250GB 7200rpm Western Digital Scorpio Black is dead quiet. (T400)
     
    Lew, Oct 13, 2008
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  5. K3nt

    K3nt Notebook Guru

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    That sounds like a winner - this is what you are referring to right? What about this Seagate one; its like 50 bucks cheaper, same rpm and capacity.
     
    K3nt, Oct 13, 2008
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  6. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    My 7k40 was a pretty cool and quiet drive.
     
    ZaZ, Oct 13, 2008
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  7. 2hand

    2hand Newbie

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    Thanks Lew. Your comments very helpful.
     
    2hand, Oct 14, 2008
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