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    Replacing the hard drive in a x205

    Discussion in 'Toshiba' started by JyleKohnson, Sep 15, 2011.

  1. JyleKohnson

    JyleKohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm not very good with hardware so I have a few things I want to clear up.

    I have a Toshiba x205, but I've noticed there's a few different versions of it, how do I find out what version I have?

    I think that this computer uses two hard drives? So I guess I need to buy two when I replace it? I opened it up and they are different sizes.

    And finally, can anyone link me to what hard drive(s) I need to replace it with so I can order them?
     
  2. danielh35

    danielh35 Notebook Enthusiast

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    To answer your question if your looking for something similar to what you have Id check this one out.

    Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint M Series HM160HI 160GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache 2.5" SATA 1.5Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive -Bare Drive

    As far as how many drives you have simply remove the panel on the bottom of the laptop closest to the front.

    I even found you a site to help you check
    How to take apart a Toshiba Satellite X205 laptop. Photos and instructions.

    Just out of curiosity why are you wanting to replace your HD? Hardware failure or looking for better performance?
     
  3. JyleKohnson

    JyleKohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would like to upgrade my hard drive space basically. For my Toshiba x205 do you think that buying two of those hard drives from that Newegg link would work?
     
  4. reb1

    reb1 Notebook Evangelist

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    Why not purchase one with the larger storage such as 320 or even 500 gig.
     
  5. JyleKohnson

    JyleKohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just want to know what hard drives are compatible with my computer in the first place.
     
  6. JyleKohnson

    JyleKohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is there anyone willing to help me out?
     
  7. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    What hard drive(s) do you have at the moment? Device Manager will give the model number.

    John
     
  8. JyleKohnson

    JyleKohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is this it?

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Tigress Orchid

    Tigress Orchid Notebook Consultant

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    I had Toshiba X200 for last 4 years. This model is practicly the same. First thing. Toshiba X200/X205 dont have any RAID controller. So. There are 2 bays for HDD, you can replace just only one, or both. And the laptop will work with 1 or 2, they are independant. The interface is SATA/SATA2, you can buy any size upto 750 gigs SATAII for example for each one. Hope this helps you.
     
  10. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    That confirms that you have an SATA controller.

    However, what is listed under "Disk drives"?

    John
     
  11. JyleKohnson

    JyleKohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks. I don't know what a RAID controller is :(. Can someone just link me to a hard drive that I can buy two of to replace both? I don't need to upgrade the size too much.

    [​IMG]

    When I replace the hard drive(s) it's as simple as popping it out putting the new ones in, right? There isn't any technical aspect I would have to deal with, is there? Like for example when I reformat my computer will it still work with the new hard drives?
     
  12. Tigress Orchid

    Tigress Orchid Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, there is nothing special to know to replace the HDDs. But when Im reading your words, nothing against you, just a good advice, better do it with someone a little bit more expirienced then you.
    I mean, you have the operating system + data on the old ones. Care with the datas.
     
  13. JyleKohnson

    JyleKohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hmm so say I put the new hard drives in and put in my reformatting disc that came with the computer, would that work?
     
  14. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Yes, it should work.

    John
     
  15. JyleKohnson

    JyleKohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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  16. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    That's the theory. However, I wonder why you opt for two relatively old and slow 160GB HDDs. You can compare HDD performance here. Two of the single platter 320GB HDDs may be a better choice or you may want a 7200 rpm HDD as a boot drive for better access times.

    Better still, would be a smallish ( 60 to 120GB) SSD as the boot drive plus a bigger HDD for the data. That will substantially improve performance.

    John
     
  17. JyleKohnson

    JyleKohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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    Could you link me to two hard drives I could buy that would fit that description and work for my computer?

    I feel like such an idiot lol but hardware is so not my thing
     
  18. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    What is your budget and where do you normally shop?

    John
     
  19. JyleKohnson

    JyleKohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would rather just say that I want to upgrade my hard drive size and space slightly without breaking my bank, I don't really have a budget but I do want to be frugal as a can within the circumstances.

    I don't have a place I usually shop.
     
  20. JyleKohnson

    JyleKohnson Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm bumping this so John Ratsey can see.
     
  21. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    My internet connection is too slow for me to do some virtual shop browsing on your behalf. I just think it would be worthwhile paying a little more money to get higher capacity HDDs. Transfer rates increase as the capacity increases.

    If budget is a constraint then just buy one bigger HDD and put into bay one.

    John