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    Harddrive upgrade question...

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by djdarkmeat, Nov 26, 2009.

  1. djdarkmeat

    djdarkmeat Newbie

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    Will this harderive work in a PCG-8M2L?

    250.0 GB ATA/100 5400 RPM 9.5mm 12.5MS 8MB Cache

    or will this one work, I like it better?

    Seagate ST9500420AS 500 GB 7200 RPM it is an SATA drive...

    Thanks,
    I'll be checking incrimentally...
     
    djdarkmeat, Nov 26, 2009
    #1
  2. David

    David NBR Random Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    Since this is a fairly old laptop, I would assume it uses the older ATA (IDE) interface. However, please confirm if it's an IDE or SATA interface by taking your hard drive out of your laptop. Below is an image to help you identify your hard drive type.

    [​IMG]

    If it's an IDE, then the first option will be compatible.
     
    David, Nov 26, 2009
    #2
  3. djdarkmeat

    djdarkmeat Newbie

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    Well see there inlies the problem, the laptop was given to us and it did not have a hard drive in it when we got it, so is there any visual aid you can give me to identify it from the what the inside of the laptop looks like?
     
    djdarkmeat, Nov 26, 2009
    #3
  4. ShadowFlare

    ShadowFlare Notebook Geek

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    I'd say you need to get a flash light and alight the hdd connectors inside the laptop. Should be quite easily distinguishable. The IDE hard drive connector will have 2 lines of tiny pinholes in a horizontal arrangement, while SATA will just have 2 rectangle holes, one being about twice as large as the other. Refer to David's picture so you have some idea of how the holes of the connectors would look like.
     
    ShadowFlare, Nov 27, 2009
    #4
  5. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    DetlevCM, Nov 27, 2009
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  6. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    Yeah, just pop open the panel and look at the connections.
     
    surfasb, Nov 27, 2009
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  7. David

    David NBR Random Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    This would be a little difficult, seeing that the OP doesn't have a hard drive to start with :p

    Do what ShadowFlare suggested. The two interfaces are quite difference and should be recognized easily.
     
    David, Nov 27, 2009
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  8. djdarkmeat

    djdarkmeat Newbie

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    Thanks for the help guys, I'll pop it open and take a look...
     
    djdarkmeat, Nov 27, 2009
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  9. cosmok

    cosmok Notebook Consultant

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    Is this what it looks like? If so it's IDE. If there's no HDD caddy you may be SOL
     
    cosmok, Nov 27, 2009
    #9