Can I place any PATA/IDE HDD on laptop?It had the Seagate ST98823A

[GabeBB]

Hi all, trying to figure out how to buy a HDD for an older laptop. It's the Gateway MT6460. Not sure it's worth it to fix (uses very old technology) but my mom likes it and its HDD gave out last year.

Can I get just any 2,5'' PATA/IDE ATA-100 5,400mhz? Having trouble figuring out what is compatible with this. I figure I could get any brand as long as it has these features right?

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, GabeBB.

Basically you're right. The drive you want to get should have the same interface as the old one, regardless of the brand. However you should make sure that the form factor is correct as well - 2.5", in order to fit in the laptop's drive bay.
Just for your information, the 5400 you are referring to is not MHz, it's the RPM of the drive. This shows the rotations per minute. You could get a 7200RPM HDD if you can find one, but your chances are pretty slim having in mind it's a PATA drive with a 2.5" form factor. So, a 5400RPM drive would do just fine.

Hope that helps.
Boogieman_WD

 

[GabeBB]

Thanks! Will look for whatever's cheaper then. Oh, I'm so clueless I didn't realize these weren't mhz LOL. I was looking at SATA I drives at first before someone told me that this was even older. Will try to make sure the drive looks similar since I managed to take it out

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Yup, as long as the form factor and the interface of the drive are the same as those of the old HDD, it should work. However, as you've already mentioned, it probably won't be easy to find such a drive and a new one nonetheless. So please be careful if you're getting a used HDD. Make sure that the user has a lot of positive reviews and ask for SMART data test and other diagnostic tests in advance, to see if the drive has any issues.

Let me know if you have any questions whatsoever.

Good luck!