On Tuesday 20 May 2003 12:11 pm, Chris Frederick wrote: > I know that there's a lot in a laptop that's specific > to its model and make, but can't you use a hard drive from a different > manufacturer (say this one > http://page.auctions.shopping.yahoo.com/auction/72856378?aucview=0x17), > or is the hardware on a laptop so locked together that you're stuck with > the original manufacturer's parts and high prices? The IDE interface is generic on modern laptops. The issue is the connector. HP/Dell/Gateway/whoever gouge you for huge $$ is they sell the drive inside a special sled/carrier/cartridge/whatever with the correct adapter/connector to plug into your brand/model laptop. You can just take your old drive out of it's carrier and replace it with the new one. I've done it many times. Works great and never had a problem. > Side note: I know desktop PCs follow a certain form factor (AT/ATX) to > make sure the parts are compatible, is there anything like that for > laptops? Some laptop drives are "double height". Measure the dimensions on your's and buy one with the same dimensions. Although you can usually put a "slim" into a "double" carrier as long as it has screws (not tension fit). http://googlegear.com/ is your friend. 40GB for $122 and it's a 5400RPM. http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101606 They have larger drives too. But cost more. :-) Then go buy a cheap USB carrier for your old drive and use it as a backup device: Most of them will run 4200RPM drives off the USB bus. I my experience the 5400RPM drives need the power cable. This one comes with a pass-through PS/2 power cord for drives that need it. Much coolness in that. http://www.auctionelf.com/torusbhden.html (Note: this is a USB 1.1 not USB2, those cost more) Ciao, -- Christopher Gahlon "Friends don't let friends install MS junk!" - Unknown _______________________________________________ TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota http://www.mn-linux.org tclug-list at mn-linux.org https://mailman.real-time.com/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list