removing hd

shupola · 04-19-2005, 03:45 AM

i have a compaq laptop and was wondering if it is safe to remove my hd to see what kind it is and what it looks like. i am a tinkerer, but i am worried that it will erase my data or something. can someone please shed some light on the situation? thanks a lot.

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**The_Other_One** · 04-19-2005, 04:01 AM

I doubt you'd erase your data... Removing an HD won't do anything to what's on it. However, I'd be more afraid of messing something up. Not being able to get the case back together correctly, or something like that...

narafa · 04-19-2005, 09:53 AM

If you just want to know what the HD type, you can know this without removing it from your notebook. Many programs out there simply collect all the information about your Hardware and displays it to you, so you can know what is your HD exactly. If you open start --> Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> System Information you will get some nice information about your whole system including hardware and software.

If you want to see how your HD look like, you will have to open your notebook, although I don't recommed this as most notebooks are very compact and it's pretty difficult to mess up with them unless you are a pro in this stuff.

BTW, it will look like the same HD for desktops except that it is very slim and smaller, 2.5", power cable is smaller and data cable is very compact and the pins are smaller

Scrat · 04-19-2005, 10:02 AM

I think Compaq (or maybe it was Dell) at one stage had a website section where you enter a 'Service Tag' number or something from the underside of your laptop. The site would then display the specs of your Laptop and any sutable drivers for it.

Yeti · 04-19-2005, 03:56 PM

Actually I just took my Compaq laptop apart to get to the hard drive because I think its shot. I don't think I'd recommend doing just for fun; kind of a pain to take apart. As was mentioned there are other ways to find the specs on the hard drive.

**apj101** · 04-20-2005, 02:37 PM

quote someone "if it aint broke down fix it".

But i have to admit I’m a tinkererrrer as well, I take everything apart, yet always have bits left over when reassembled.

It shouldn’t be a problem to open up you Lappy. You know opening up you laptop is a lot like making love to a beautiful woman.

You need to:
Read the manual
Get a large flat surface
Prepare you tools
Oh and don’t forget to earth your self before starting?!?
And don’t do it if you cant afford to replace it

04-19-2005, 03:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
shupola Diamond Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nowheresville, U.S. Posts: 1,033	removing hd i have a compaq laptop and was wondering if it is safe to remove my hd to see what kind it is and what it looks like. i am a tinkerer, but i am worried that it will erase my data or something. can someone please shed some light on the situation? thanks a lot. COMPUTERFORUM.COM ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!

04-19-2005, 04:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,368	I doubt you'd erase your data... Removing an HD won't do anything to what's on it. However, I'd be more afraid of messing something up. Not being able to get the case back together correctly, or something like that... __________________ Desktop * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT Laptop1 * C2D T5550 \| 3G RAM \| 120G HD \| Intel x3100 Laptop2 * C2D T5250 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100

04-19-2005, 10:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
Scrat Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 27 Posts: 630	I think Compaq (or maybe it was Dell) at one stage had a website section where you enter a 'Service Tag' number or something from the underside of your laptop. The site would then display the specs of your Laptop and any sutable drivers for it. __________________ AMD Athlon 64 3500+, GigaByte GA-K8NS Ultra-939 Ltd Ed. ATI Radeon GeCube 256Mb 9600XT, Compro DVB-T300 Dig/Analog TV Card 2x 1GB, 2x 512Mb DDR CL3 400Mhz PC3200 - Dual Channel WD 120Gb SATA 7200rpm 8MB, WD 80Gb SATA 7200rpm 8MB Excel 108Mb Wireless PCI, WinXP Prof. Samsung CD-R/RW 52-32-52, Samsung DVD 16x reader, LG DVD MultiBurner Benq 17" FP71E 12ms LCD, Logitech LX700 K&M, Logitech G25 Racing Wheel, Logitech Z-5400 FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND!! Team 44358

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04-19-2005, 09:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
narafa Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Egypt Age: 29 Posts: 450	If you just want to know what the HD type, you can know this without removing it from your notebook. Many programs out there simply collect all the information about your Hardware and displays it to you, so you can know what is your HD exactly. If you open start --> Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> System Information you will get some nice information about your whole system including hardware and software. If you want to see how your HD look like, you will have to open your notebook, although I don't recommed this as most notebooks are very compact and it's pretty difficult to mess up with them unless you are a pro in this stuff. BTW, it will look like the same HD for desktops except that it is very slim and smaller, 2.5", power cable is smaller and data cable is very compact and the pins are smaller

04-19-2005, 03:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
Yeti VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,300	Actually I just took my Compaq laptop apart to get to the hard drive because I think its shot. I don't think I'd recommend doing just for fun; kind of a pain to take apart. As was mentioned there are other ways to find the specs on the hard drive.

04-20-2005, 02:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
apj101 Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Age: 26 Posts: 9,177	quote someone "if it aint broke down fix it". But i have to admit I’m a tinkererrrer as well, I take everything apart, yet always have bits left over when reassembled. It shouldn’t be a problem to open up you Lappy. You know opening up you laptop is a lot like making love to a beautiful woman. You need to: Read the manual Get a large flat surface Prepare you tools Oh and don’t forget to earth your self before starting?!? And don’t do it if you cant afford to replace it