Seeking advice for hard drive upgrade

C

C E Jones

New Member
Hi all,

I'm planning on switching hard drives as my current 40GB one is not only running low on space but starting to get very slow. I'm leaning towards a 160GB IDE disk but I've heard people buying drives that are too big for older computers to recognize, even though it's the right interface.

So, before taking the plunge I was hoping someone could reassure me that the Western Digital disk I'm looking at, model no. WD1600BEVE, will work with my laptop, which is a Gateway 450ROG that I bought 4.5 years ago. It's running Windows XP. Does anyone know, or is there some way I can find out? Thanks so much for any tips.

-cej
 
With SP2 out for the last 4yrs. now seeing SP3 the original 137gb barrier is no longer any drawback. That should go right in being an ATA model just like the 25gb Scorpio seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136159

The specifications for that model show Ultra DMA 100 and shouldn't see any problem running the 160gb or 250gb models. You can keep the link here for reference. http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Gateway/450ROG/3501353sp66.shtml

40gb these days is rather cramped unless you are simply running a Linux box. You will need to get a new XP disk however since you will lose the original preinstall once removing the drive. On some models the option of removing the optical drive allows you to add in a second hard drive. But mainly seen on newer models.
 
PC eye said:
With SP2 out for the last 4yrs. now seeing SP3 the original 137gb barrier is no longer any drawback. That should go right in being an ATA model just like the 25gb Scorpio seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136159

The specifications for that model show Ultra DMA 100 and shouldn't see any problem running the 160gb or 250gb models. You can keep the link here for reference. http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Gateway/450ROG/3501353sp66.shtml

40gb these days is rather cramped unless you are simply running a Linux box. You will need to get a new XP disk however since you will lose the original preinstall once removing the drive. On some models the option of removing the optical drive allows you to add in a second hard drive. But mainly seen on newer models.
Click to expand...

Thanks that really clears things up. Would I need a new Windows disk even though I have the disk that originally came with the laptop, and the authorization key? Is the problem that in order to install it onto a 160gb drive the disk has to have sp2 or sp3 already on it or it won't recognize the drive while installing (i.e. cannot install old Windows then use update to get sp3)?

In any case, I should be able to get a more recent disk, but it would be convenient to use the original :D

Anyway, thanks alot, I look forward to not always having to take my external drive with me everywhere I go. I'd buy a new laptop, but I hate Vista so much I've decided to hold out for Windows 7 :cool:
 
Will it work?

ANSWER: Yes

If possible, I'd recommend a 7,200 RPM drive. I recently upgraded from an 80 GB 5400 RPM drive to a 320 GB 7200 RPM drive and the difference in performance is phenomenal.
 
vix said:
Will it work?

ANSWER: Yes

If possible, I'd recommend a 7,200 RPM drive. I recently upgraded from an 80 GB 5400 RPM drive to a 320 GB 7200 RPM drive and the difference in performance is phenomenal.
Click to expand...

Do they make 72000 rpm drives for ATA-6? My computer can't recognize SATA drives and I haven't seen anything above 5400 for ATA. Besides, my computer already runs a bit hot as it is, so 7200rpm would be pushing it for my old cooling system. Anyway my current drive is 4500rpm, so even 5400 would be a step up :)

Still wondering about the Windows disk though. Should I track down a new one even though I have the original disk? Will I be able to install Windows on a 160gb HDD using a Windows disk without the service packs? I should be able to get a more recent installation disk, it would just be a bit of a hassle :eek:

-cej
 
Once you replace the original drive you will need a brand new installation disk. The disk that came with the laptop is strictly for the preinstalled copy of Windows from the factory.

All XP cds sold now either see SP2 or now being restocked with the SP3 disks. You won't have to worry about seeing a larger ide type drive go in. For the most part all you will see are 5,400 ide models for laptops to begin with.
 
WD1600BEVE, will work with my laptop, which is a Gateway 450ROG

I was hoping someone could reassure me that the Western Digital disk I'm looking at, model no. WD1600BEVE, will work with my laptop, which is a Gateway 450ROG that I bought 4.5 years ago. It's running Windows XP. Does anyone know, or is there some way I can find out? Thanks so much for any tips.
 
The one problem with that model drive is simply it's a sata model while that model laptop sees ide.

StorageHard drive controllerTwo independent bus–mastering Enhanced IDE channels on PCI bus
Supports up to Ultra DMA 100 and up to PIO mode 4
Hard driveUser removable
2.5–inch diameter
9.5 mm height

http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Gateway/450ROG/3501353sp66.shtml

The information on the Scorpio model 2.5" drive is seen at http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=312&language=en

Typically the older laptops ran 4200rpm or 5400rpm ide models with the latest new models being seen now running sata drives. Fortunately this one sees dual interfaces for both ide and sata connections. But that's one thing to be certain about before buying one that wouldn't have ide capability.
 
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