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    Upgrading T61 HD

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Darunium, Feb 19, 2008.

  1. Darunium

    Darunium Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi There!


    Just bought a T61p with a 80GB 5400 rpm HD. I'd like to upgrade it to the Hitachi 7k200 200GB 7200 rpm HD, but I'm not sure if its compatible or not. I ordered the laptop today and so it hasn't arrived yet, and would like to buy the HD so I can put it in as soon as it comes, but I can't find any specifics on the lenovo site as to what HDs can be installed and what can't. Any info's appreciated!

    I called lenovo tech support and they said there might be size issues but they couldn't tell me for sure without my notebook's model # which I won't have til it arrives.

    Thanks!
    Darunium
     
    Darunium, Feb 19, 2008
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  2. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    Any SATA 2.5" hard drive will work.
     
    adinu, Feb 19, 2008
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  3. klutchrider

    klutchrider Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeap, that will do.
     
    klutchrider, Feb 19, 2008
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  4. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    " I'd like to upgrade it to the Hitachi 7k200 200GB 7200 rpm HD, but I'm not sure if its compatible or not."

    Yes, it's compatible. This is what I did.

    A good approach, is to use Vista Complete PC backup, included with Business and Ultimate, onto DVD's from the smaller disk. Then install the new disk. You need a bootable Vista Distribution DVD. Boot it, and then use disk recovery. I use Dual Layered DVDs for this.
     
    Renee, Feb 19, 2008
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  5. Darunium

    Darunium Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks! I'll go ahead and order it then.

    Apparently it doesn't come with the Vista disk, no idea why, but shouldn't it be possible for me to burn a recovery disk and run the recovery on the new HD?
     
    Darunium, Feb 19, 2008
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  6. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    Yup, you will be prompted to burn a recovery disk when you first turn it on. If Lenovo is anything like my Acer, you can take those DVDs and reinstall the factory OS to a whole new drive.
     
    adinu, Feb 19, 2008
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  7. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    What I recommended will copy and backup the recovery partition if specified.

    I've never used the lenovo disks, I don't know if they have vista backup capabilities or not. Be sure to have a known bootable standard backup disk available.
     
    Renee, Feb 19, 2008
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  8. gamemint

    gamemint Notebook Evangelist

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    yes you can do that
     
    gamemint, Feb 19, 2008
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  9. gamemint

    gamemint Notebook Evangelist

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    yes you can do that. I belive you can also call Lenovo and for $20 they will send you the CD
     
    gamemint, Feb 19, 2008
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  10. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    I belive it's $45, or that's what they wanted from me when I asked them for the Windows DVD.
     
    adinu, Feb 19, 2008
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  11. Darunium

    Darunium Notebook Enthusiast

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    Everything worked out great. As a heads up, new HDs dont come with the bottom attachment (black flexible plastic and a metal covering, that I presume protects the bottom of the HD. Lenovo will send these to you for free however if you call them.
     
    Darunium, Mar 8, 2008
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  12. MEA707

    MEA707 Notebook Consultant

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    The tray is easily detached from the hard drive. All it takes is to remove two screws on each side and it slides right off. You're supposed to reuse it with whatever hard drive you use.

    I don't see why you need to call Lenovo to send you another tray, but it's nice that they send them for free...
     
    MEA707, Mar 8, 2008
    #12