Ok, next computer question ? (Full Version)

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Aneirin -> Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 6:32:40 AM)

Is it possible to upgrade the hard drive in a laptop computer ? I have 80gb, and am just wondering, can I fit a larger capacity drive.

Also, as it is I do photo work, I thought to store my imagery on an external hard drive, one of those usb portable drives looks attractive down to the fact I have no more power points for a desktop PSU. What is the crack with them as towards capacity, is it a case of get the largest capacity one can afford, or is there a formula. I ask is there a formula because so far I have 62 CD-R's full of images I have to sort out, all of them fixed and ready for whatever I decide to do with them. So, roughly something like 44gb of images completed and stored on disc, very few of them archival quality.



DomKen -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 6:36:00 AM)

You should be able to get a bigger hard drive installed in your laptop. Take it into a dedicated computer store that does installation and they should be able to do it for you.



subtlebutterfly -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 6:37:05 AM)

Personally I just get the largest capacity..having tons of little external drives just takes up space in your room. Don't believe there's any formula. I'd also like to point out that of course, like all harddrives, external drives don't last forever even though they can last for years

I know you can upgrade from 40gb to 60gb and from 60gb to 80 gb etc but I think there's always a limit you can't make a pc made for a small drive get a 200gb drive (extremes but..yeh)..it just depends on the laptop if it came with an 80gb I'm almost sure you can upgrade it to 20-40 extra gb's. ....perhaps even more, consult with the PC store.



subrob1967 -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 6:43:11 AM)

They have tetrabyte external usb drives now, why go thru the expense of upgrading an already out of date laptop?

Here you can buy a 500g external drive for around $100.



Aneirin -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 6:51:06 AM)

Yes, I have seen the terrabyte drives and even a one point five terrabyte drive, they do look attractive, but so far I have only seen desktop external drives in this capacity.



Termyn8or -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 7:09:26 AM)

Aren't most of them firewire or USB ? That should solve that.

T



FirmhandKY -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 8:13:07 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

Yes, I have seen the terrabyte drives and even a one point five terrabyte drive, they do look attractive, but so far I have only seen desktop external drives in this capacity.


Generally, the largest "laptop" USB hard drive is about 330 megs. I say "laptop" because it requires no external power source, other than the USB connection.

External drives with an additional power supply go up to 1 TB right now, but can be used on any computer with the correct OS, and a USB (and sometimes firewire) connection, as long as you can plug the wallbug power supply into a power outlet.

Or you can buy any internal hard drive, and buy an USB adapter kit for any drive, including the 1.5 TB drives and plug them into any USB point.

Firm



aravain -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 8:36:00 AM)

~FR~

The only formula that I've heard my hardware friends talk about for externals is making sure that it's seated in a stable position that so that it doesn't move when in use.

Laptop hard-drives CAN be upgraded, but most places around here would require you to buy windows again (to install it on the new hard drive). You could always try to get them to install linux instead, then install your old windows back on the laptop again.

Only problem with hard-drive replacement on a laptop is that everything is still on the older hard drive, not the new one. I've seen some 'desktop replacement' types that have the capacity for two hard drives, but that's about it.



Aneirin -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 10:58:45 AM)

Phew, well that is one task out of the way, I have just taken this machine apart, like totally apart to see to a noisy cooling fan, I thought it strange it were running all the time, but the lappy was permanently hot. The reason being so I found out was the cooling outlet was blocked solid with fluff. Now all that is cleaned out , the fan blades cleaned and all dust everywhere else removed, and this thing seems better than it has been in a long time. No fear now, I have got over the hurdle of taking this machine apart, other things next.



subtlebutterfly -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 11:04:01 AM)

I'd recommend cleaning your laptops fan every 2 months honestly..or as soon as it starts running a tiny bit more often, then there's usually a ball of fluff or two that's settled in.



StrangerThan -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 12:30:47 PM)

Yes, it's possible to upgrade them. For the most part it's fairly easy. Take the panel off, take the old one out, put the new one in, hook up the cables. Reboot, go into bios, make sure it's recognized.

That's the easy part. What most folks want is their current system with a bigger drive. With desktops, it was easy enough to install the second drive as a slave, go into dos and copy the master to the slave, replace the master with the slave, reboot and pretty much have what you wanted. I've never done it with a laptop though.  With laptops I've gone through loading windows on the new drive after it was installed, then reinstalling software, updates, etc. It's time consuming and if you don't have the original software for all the goodies you had on the old one, kinda screwed in that department.

There are plenty of how-to articles on the net that will detail the steps, but if you're not comfortable with doing it yourself, I'd just get a shop to do it for me. I took a work laptop in to a shop, had a bigger hard drive installed and I think it cost me like $40 to have the old one ghosted on the new one. That was several years ago though.

Call around. Most shops will do this for you, and if you supply the drive you may come out cheaper.



aravain -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 12:36:51 PM)

for that cheap, too, it's definitely worth it.



Crush -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 3:22:19 PM)

You can usually upgrade your drive internally and it is a good idea to see about upgrading your RAM, if possible.  Both will extend the life and increase performance, especially if you get a faster drive than the one in it currently.
And by cleaning out the "dust bits" you increase the air flow...which in turns let the processor run at maximum speed, since many of them today will automatically slow down if they get too hot.

However, one problem with getting a large drive is making sure you back up everything that you put on it.

The three most important words in computing are:  "Backup, Backup, Backup"

It is cheap enough nowadays to get that 1Tb external drive.  But it is worth more to get two and be sure to use one as a copy of the other...moving over changed files, basically.

At least until we start getting RAID-based* external drive systems for the home market.  Then you STILL need a backup.  
Paranoid?  Yeah, but those machines still are out to "get you" at your most critical time. 
They all come with EmoStateDetection (ESD)(TM) chips...if you are calm, they are fine...but if you start to panic, so does your computer, in its own way.

Remember that copy machines have the same chip too....if you need 50 copies, collated and stapled, but not until next week...they come out perfect.   BUT you only need two lousy copies of this one sheet and your job's at stake?  It now goes paperjam...out of toner...and yes...."Call Service"  or worse.  I even saw one catch on fire once when a colleague had a two page report for a meeting with the President.  

Don't bother going to another copier either...they all talk to one another { Hey P45...He's coming your way!  Time to dump your toner!}

Good luck with it!
---
* RAID systems can be set up in a lot of ways...one way is to have a disk be a mirror of another.  And other ways to increase the "safety" of your data if one drive fails.  



mefisto69 -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/5/2009 5:07:05 PM)

first, max your ram. second, check around for the fastest and largest capacity drive you can afford ie:7200 or 10,000 RPM ( platter speed ).... they're pretty much all 3.5" drives now so physical size shouldnt be a problem. Of course, it must run in the same manner.... SCSI.... Serial ATA.. or what have you. The running speed of the drive directly affects how fast you can move and manipulate files. Burn Off everything from your old drive before you remove it. Make sure you have a clean copy ( not a pirate) of the OS you want to use for re-install. Right now i'm running a Mac Book Pro w/ 4 gigs ram, 120 G internal HD at 7200 RPM and a 2 T external Raid on FW 800..... I record and arrange music < < all this is a MUST for high performance and recording without any glitches. If you plan to manipulate your fotos or eventually get into video.... you should put together something similar.



NYLass -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/6/2009 11:14:09 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mefisto69

first, max your ram. 


swoon
quote:



...size shouldnt be a problem. Of course, it must run in the same manner..


I've always agreed with this sentiment.


As long as the hard drive is functional I'm satisfied.

(What was this thread about, again?  I think I need a shower.)



JustDarkness -> RE: Ok, next computer question ? (2/6/2009 11:53:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mefisto69

first, max your ram. second, check around for the fastest and largest capacity drive you can afford ie:7200 or 10,000 RPM ( platter speed ).... they're pretty much all 3.5" drives now so physical size shouldnt be a problem.
 speed of harddisks is a little more complex then rotation speeds nowadays. The 10000rpm (raptors were popular) are almost over taken bij slower rotating harddisks with high dentisy platters and lots of cache memory build in.Oh and watch out for different sizes harddisks  ...3 1/2 inch is desktop and 2 1/2 is laptop size.(ps even some desktop laptops are going back to smaller sizes right now..for heat and energy reasons..all solid states disk are 2 1/2 inch too) An other option would be solid state disks. No rotating parts...energy saving...but a little more expensive. If you gonna add more stuff to your laptop..buy a bigger battery pack too...it will drain faster when you are on the road. And as said before.....raid perhaps. But that is more for pc freaks that need it. (can be a nightmare too.lol)



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