Purchasing a new internal hard drive

[harveycanis]

Hi, my current hard drive failed on my HP ProBook 4540s (this provides more information: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2227157/reinstalling-windows-hard-drive.html) so I'm therefore on the market for a new one as a replacement. However I don't really know much about compatibility and the online guides I've read haven't been much assistance. My failed hard drive was the 750GB Toshiba MQ01ABD075 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-MQ01ABD075-750GB-5400RPM-Internal/dp/B0077IQ0BG/ref=pd_ybh_2) and as such I believe it's specs are: 2.5", SATA II, 10 x 7 x 0.9 cm dimensions and it ran at 5400rpm. I'm pretty sure my motherboard works with SATA II but I've read that it will easily accept a SATA III hard drive anyway.

What other compatibility issues do I need to concern myself with? Ideally I'd like a 2.5", 1TB , 7200rpm, SATA III replacement, would that be possible? Do I need to buy a hard drive with the exact same dimensions? HP have already sent me some recovery discs so I have the means to reinstall Windows.

Thanks very much for any help.

 

[The_Freeman]

Hi, my current hard drive failed on my HP ProBook 4540s (this provides more information: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2227157/reinstalling-windows-hard-drive.html) so I'm therefore on the market for a new one as a replacement. However I don't really know much about compatibility and the online guides I've read haven't been much assistance. My failed hard drive was the 750GB Toshiba MQ01ABD075 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-MQ01ABD075-750GB-5400RPM-Internal/dp/B0077IQ0BG/ref=pd_ybh_2) and as such I believe it's specs are: 2.5", SATA II, 10 x 7 x 0.9 cm dimensions and it ran at 5400rpm. I'm pretty sure my motherboard works with SATA II but I've read that it will easily accept a SATA III hard drive anyway.

What other compatibility issues do I need to concern myself with? Ideally I'd like a 2.5", 1TB , 7200rpm, SATA III replacement, would that be possible? Do I need to buy a hard drive with the exact same dimensions? HP have already sent me some recovery discs so I have the means to reinstall Windows.

Thanks very much for any help.

Here a two HDDs worth considering:

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd7500bpkx
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/hitachi-internal-hard-drive-0j22423

Personally I would go with the WD HDD although it is 250gb smaller it has a five year warranty so its defiantly worth it.

To install just remove the old HDD and put you new one of choice in.

Hope this helps

The_Freeman

 

[USAFRet]

Any 2.5" SATA drive should work. It's a standard case size.

 

[harveycanis]

Thanks for the speedy assistance guys.

So things like capacity, rpm speed and SATA version are not important?

The_Freeman, what sort of issues does the warranty cover? My failed hard drive just suddenly stopped working (ergo it didn't break from a fall or anything), would that have been covered under the warranty?

Great suggestions though, what about this too? http://www.amazon.co.uk/HGST-Travelstar-7K1000-HTS721010A9E630-internal/dp/B00B4QESVQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1407264829&sr=1-1&keywords=Travelstar+2.5+inch+1TB+Internal+Hard+Drive

After a quick perusal of Google, apparently I should avoid Seagate like the plague whilst WD and Hitachi are reliable.

Regarding pins and protective cases (the leathery thing covering the old one), I assume I can use that on the new one, or would that come with those things?

Sorry for all the questions but financially speaking I can't afford to make any mistakes in this purchase.

Edit: Apologies, should have said "screws", not "pins".

 

[The_Freeman]

Thanks for the speedy assistance guys.

So things like capacity, rpm speed and SATA version are not important?

The_Freeman, what sort of issues does the warranty cover? My failed hard drive just suddenly stopped working (ergo it didn't break from a fall or anything), would that have been covered under the warranty?

Great suggestions though, what about this too? http://www.amazon.co.uk/HGST-Travelstar-7K1000-HTS721010A9E630-internal/dp/B00B4QESVQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1407264829&sr=1-1&keywords=Travelstar+2.5+inch+1TB+Internal+Hard+Drive

After a quick perusal of Google, apparently I should avoid Seagate like the plague whilst WD and Hitachi are reliable.

Regarding pins and protective cases (the leathery thing covering the old one), I assume I can use that on the new one, or would that come with those things?

Sorry for all the questions but financially speaking I can't afford to make any mistakes in this purchase.

Warranty covers everything that happens to the HDD like it stops working. BUT if you alter the HDD in anyway or remove the stickers on the back or front, your warranty is go like that so don't. Its a good thing to have as you wont a to buy a need to buy a new HDD every time it breaks.

RPM speed is effectively how fast the drive will work for you. The higher the better as no likes a slow drive. SATA is not to important. And Google tells you correctly avoid Seagate wherever possible. WD FTW! (no fanboismy intended just love)

And yes the drive will cover the pins on the drive so you can just slot the HDD right on in.

Hope this helps

The_Freeman

 

[harveycanis]

Thanks for the speedy assistance guys.

So things like capacity, rpm speed and SATA version are not important?

The_Freeman, what sort of issues does the warranty cover? My failed hard drive just suddenly stopped working (ergo it didn't break from a fall or anything), would that have been covered under the warranty?

Great suggestions though, what about this too? http://www.amazon.co.uk/HGST-Travelstar-7K1000-HTS721010A9E630-internal/dp/B00B4QESVQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1407264829&sr=1-1&keywords=Travelstar+2.5+inch+1TB+Internal+Hard+Drive

After a quick perusal of Google, apparently I should avoid Seagate like the plague whilst WD and Hitachi are reliable.

Regarding pins and protective cases (the leathery thing covering the old one), I assume I can use that on the new one, or would that come with those things?

Sorry for all the questions but financially speaking I can't afford to make any mistakes in this purchase.

Warranty covers everything that happens to the HDD like it stops working. BUT if you alter the HDD in anyway or remove the stickers on the back or front, your warranty is go like that so don't. Its a good thing to have as you wont a to buy a need to buy a new HDD every time it breaks.

RPM speed is effectively how fast the drive will work for you. The higher the better as no likes a slow drive. SATA is not to important. And Google tells you correctly avoid Seagate wherever possible. WD FTW! (no fanboismy intended just love)

And yes the drive will cover the pins on the drive so you can just slot the HDD right on in.

Hope this helps

The_Freeman

Thanks again!

I'll either go for one of the ones you linked to or the one I suggested. I'm using Amazon because I have Prime (best thing ever).

Final questions I promise, I just need to ensure the dimensions are similar then, and can buy whatever capacity/SATA version/rpm I want?

And I meant the screws that secure the hard drive to the laptop, I edited "pins" too late haha, so do I re-use the screws from my old drive or will the new one provide them?

 

[The_Freeman]

Thanks for the speedy assistance guys.

So things like capacity, rpm speed and SATA version are not important?

The_Freeman, what sort of issues does the warranty cover? My failed hard drive just suddenly stopped working (ergo it didn't break from a fall or anything), would that have been covered under the warranty?

Great suggestions though, what about this too? http://www.amazon.co.uk/HGST-Travelstar-7K1000-HTS721010A9E630-internal/dp/B00B4QESVQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1407264829&sr=1-1&keywords=Travelstar+2.5+inch+1TB+Internal+Hard+Drive

After a quick perusal of Google, apparently I should avoid Seagate like the plague whilst WD and Hitachi are reliable.

Regarding pins and protective cases (the leathery thing covering the old one), I assume I can use that on the new one, or would that come with those things?

Sorry for all the questions but financially speaking I can't afford to make any mistakes in this purchase.

Warranty covers everything that happens to the HDD like it stops working. BUT if you alter the HDD in anyway or remove the stickers on the back or front, your warranty is go like that so don't. Its a good thing to have as you wont a to buy a need to buy a new HDD every time it breaks.

RPM speed is effectively how fast the drive will work for you. The higher the better as no likes a slow drive. SATA is not to important. And Google tells you correctly avoid Seagate wherever possible. WD FTW! (no fanboismy intended just love)

And yes the drive will cover the pins on the drive so you can just slot the HDD right on in.

Hope this helps

The_Freeman

Thanks again!

I'll either go for one of the ones you linked to or the one I suggested. I'm using Amazon because I have Prime (best thing ever).

Final questions I promise, I just need to ensure the dimensions are similar then, and can buy whatever capacity/SATA version/rpm I want?

And I meant the screws that secure the hard drive to the laptop, I edited "pins" too late haha, so do I re-use the screws from my old drive or will the new one provide them?

Laptop HDDs don't need screws to secure them in place, so they don't come with any unless other wise stated. If you old HDD did come with screws and it did secure it into place then yes feel free to use them again.

Hope this helps

The_Freeman

 

[harveycanis]

Thanks for the speedy assistance guys.

So things like capacity, rpm speed and SATA version are not important?

The_Freeman, what sort of issues does the warranty cover? My failed hard drive just suddenly stopped working (ergo it didn't break from a fall or anything), would that have been covered under the warranty?

Great suggestions though, what about this too? http://www.amazon.co.uk/HGST-Travelstar-7K1000-HTS721010A9E630-internal/dp/B00B4QESVQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1407264829&sr=1-1&keywords=Travelstar+2.5+inch+1TB+Internal+Hard+Drive

After a quick perusal of Google, apparently I should avoid Seagate like the plague whilst WD and Hitachi are reliable.

Regarding pins and protective cases (the leathery thing covering the old one), I assume I can use that on the new one, or would that come with those things?

Sorry for all the questions but financially speaking I can't afford to make any mistakes in this purchase.

Warranty covers everything that happens to the HDD like it stops working. BUT if you alter the HDD in anyway or remove the stickers on the back or front, your warranty is go like that so don't. Its a good thing to have as you wont a to buy a need to buy a new HDD every time it breaks.

RPM speed is effectively how fast the drive will work for you. The higher the better as no likes a slow drive. SATA is not to important. And Google tells you correctly avoid Seagate wherever possible. WD FTW! (no fanboismy intended just love)

And yes the drive will cover the pins on the drive so you can just slot the HDD right on in.

Hope this helps

The_Freeman

Thanks again!

I'll either go for one of the ones you linked to or the one I suggested. I'm using Amazon because I have Prime (best thing ever).

Final questions I promise, I just need to ensure the dimensions are similar then, and can buy whatever capacity/SATA version/rpm I want?

And I meant the screws that secure the hard drive to the laptop, I edited "pins" too late haha, so do I re-use the screws from my old drive or will the new one provide them?

Laptop HDDs don't need screws to secure them in place, so they don't come with any unless other wise stated. If you old HDD did come with screws and it did secure it into place then yes feel free to use them again.

Hope this helps

The_Freeman

You're a star, cheers!

 

[The_Freeman]

Thanks for the speedy assistance guys.

So things like capacity, rpm speed and SATA version are not important?

The_Freeman, what sort of issues does the warranty cover? My failed hard drive just suddenly stopped working (ergo it didn't break from a fall or anything), would that have been covered under the warranty?

Great suggestions though, what about this too? http://www.amazon.co.uk/HGST-Travelstar-7K1000-HTS721010A9E630-internal/dp/B00B4QESVQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1407264829&sr=1-1&keywords=Travelstar+2.5+inch+1TB+Internal+Hard+Drive

After a quick perusal of Google, apparently I should avoid Seagate like the plague whilst WD and Hitachi are reliable.

Regarding pins and protective cases (the leathery thing covering the old one), I assume I can use that on the new one, or would that come with those things?

Sorry for all the questions but financially speaking I can't afford to make any mistakes in this purchase.

Warranty covers everything that happens to the HDD like it stops working. BUT if you alter the HDD in anyway or remove the stickers on the back or front, your warranty is go like that so don't. Its a good thing to have as you wont a to buy a need to buy a new HDD every time it breaks.

RPM speed is effectively how fast the drive will work for you. The higher the better as no likes a slow drive. SATA is not to important. And Google tells you correctly avoid Seagate wherever possible. WD FTW! (no fanboismy intended just love)

And yes the drive will cover the pins on the drive so you can just slot the HDD right on in.

Hope this helps

The_Freeman

Thanks again!

I'll either go for one of the ones you linked to or the one I suggested. I'm using Amazon because I have Prime (best thing ever).

Final questions I promise, I just need to ensure the dimensions are similar then, and can buy whatever capacity/SATA version/rpm I want?

And I meant the screws that secure the hard drive to the laptop, I edited "pins" too late haha, so do I re-use the screws from my old drive or will the new one provide them?

Laptop HDDs don't need screws to secure them in place, so they don't come with any unless other wise stated. If you old HDD did come with screws and it did secure it into place then yes feel free to use them again.

Hope this helps

The_Freeman

You're a star, cheers!

Your very much welcome Have a great day

The_Freeman