Welcome to the forums :emotion-5:

 

 

You can certainly take it to a local computer store... but chances are they'll charge over the odds for a new drive (that's my experience at least)?

It's entirely up to you of course (wait vs extra cost), but all you need to do, is find out whether it's an IDE or a SATA drive?  Given the age of the laptop, I suspect it'll be an IDE drive, but double-check anyway (it'll say on the back of the drive).

Then just visit your favourite online computer store, and search their hard drive section for 2.5" IDE (/SATA) drives.

I'll wager that even with postage costs, it'll still be cheaper than getting one from the local store.

 

You obviously have to wait a couple of/few days though - if you order online (unless you pay for next day delivery), so as I mention above... you'll have to weigh up which is the more important to you; cost or availability?

 

Whatever you decide... recommended manufacturers include Seagate, Western Digital, +/or Samsung.

And I'd recommend you get a 5400rpm drive - rather than a 4200rpm drive.  The extra speed is worth it... but the extra cost for a faster 7200rpm isn't really worth it (IMO) - given the age of the laptop :emotion-1:

Wow, thanks for the informative and encouraging reply!

I'll have a look around on the internet for hard drive's and then also at my local store to see if there is much difference. I know for sure its a 2.5'' IDE drive.

Will the standard drives (found online or at the store) fit with the caddy? I'm asking this because I pulled out my old hard drive yesterday and I saw that the hard drive is on to the caddy, so I'm just wondering whether a new drive will have the appropriate holes. Is it recommended to get a new caddy as well or simply mounting the new drive onto the old caddy be sufficient? 

And one last thing! Is it easy to change it myself? I really don't want to pay for fitting/installation charges at the local store!! I've installed/changed parts to my desktop, and changing the hard disk on my laptop didn't seem to look complicated.

Will the standard drives (found online or at the store) fit with the caddy? I'm asking this because I pulled out my old hard drive yesterday and I saw that the hard drive is on to the caddy, so I'm just wondering whether a new drive will have the appropriate holes. Is it recommended to get a new caddy as well or simply mounting the new drive onto the old caddy be sufficient?  And one last thing! Is it easy to change it myself? I really don't want to pay for fitting/installation charges at the local store!! I've installed/changed parts to my desktop, and changing the hard disk on my laptop didn't seem to look complicated

 

Hi Guarav,

Yes, a standard 2.5" IDE drive will fit in the caddy.  The holes for the hard drive mounting screws will line up on the caddy just fine.  Unless your current caddy is misshapen in some way a new caddy is not required.

Be sure to ground yourself with either an ESD wrist strap or by touching a bare metal surface, to eliminate any static electricity.  Also removing the hard drive or replacing the hard drive should be done when the laptop is not connected to AC power and the laptop battery has been removed.

It is easy to change yourself; the only thing you'll have to be careful with is the adapter that fits over the interface pins on the drive itself.  Be careful when removing it from your current drive, I would suggest using a small flat-blade screwdriver and carefully work the adapter off the pins, alternating from the left to the right side of the adapter.  When you mount the adapter to the pins on the new drive, look at the pin arrangement on the drive interface and you'll notice there is a pin missing (yes, that's normal); there's also a covered hole on the adapter that lines up with the missing pin.  Line up your adapter with the hard drive interface so that the missing pin/covered hole meet and carefully push the adapter onto the pins.  Do not go from side to side when putting the adapter on the new hard drive, you might end up with bent pins.

Once the adapter is fully seated, you can mount it in the caddy and mount it in your laptop.

Good luck.

alzan

Thanks guys for your help. Will take my time this weekend to buy a new hard drive and fit it. Will keep you updated!

Gaurav.

Thanks guys for the help! I spent a few hours yesterday morning to buy a new hard drive and install it. I bought a samsung 120GB one for around 50$ with 5400rpm. I also installed it which was a piece of cake. Writing this reply from my laptop!

It is working like a dream and hopefully will survive a few more years!

 

 

Thanks gaurav.aidasani, for the update. This is really great news.

The update may help others with this same issue, and helps us all.