[SOLVED] Dead harddrive Compaq Presario 2100

elf · 07-26-2008, 08:23 AM

So, I think I have already diagnosed the problem to be a bad harddrive. With the drive installed, I cannot load the windows installation process, it freezes right before giving me access to the recovery console.

I used BartPE to make a bootable windows disc, which worked in both of my other PC's, but not in the laptop (as long as the harddrive was installed...it worked fine without the hdd.

I downloaded knoppix, which worked regardless of whether the hdd was installed or not, but it would not recognize the drive anyway.

Even the BIOS tells me it can't find the drive. This leaves very little doubt in my mind it is the hdd that is causing the problems.

My question is (since I've never really worked on laptops before), are all laptop harddrives the same? or do I specifically need to order a replacement from Compaq? When searching most of the drives I found had a different connection type, or a bad picture so I couldn't tell what kind of connection it was.

**TriggerFinger** · 07-26-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elf

So, I think I have already diagnosed the problem to be a bad harddrive. With the drive installed, I cannot load the windows installation process, it freezes right before giving me access to the recovery console.

I used BartPE to make a bootable windows disc, which worked in both of my other PC's, but not in the laptop (as long as the harddrive was installed...it worked fine without the hdd.

I downloaded knoppix, which worked regardless of whether the hdd was installed or not, but it would not recognize the drive anyway.

Even the BIOS tells me it can't find the drive. This leaves very little doubt in my mind it is the hdd that is causing the problems.

My question is (since I've never really worked on laptops before), are all laptop harddrives the same? or do I specifically need to order a replacement from Compaq? When searching most of the drives I found had a different connection type, or a bad picture so I couldn't tell what kind of connection it was.

Hi elf,

I cannot really say 'the same' as they vary in connection (SATA/IDE), speed (ex. 4200, 5400, 7200 rpm), sometimes the size (ex. 2.5inch), and capacity (ex.30 - 120GB).

I guess if you are using a 2.5" IDE then you can just choose your speed and capacity. You do not need to get the Compaq one but you can take note of the specs so you have a basis on what to get.

I hope that helps

**belfasteddie** · 07-26-2008, 09:51 AM

Compaq Presario hard drive location. Lift the laptop up from the front to a 45 deg angle. You should see a rubber plug in the middle of a door slot.. Gently prise the plug out. Underneath the plug is a screw, remove screw. Wiggle the drawer and the Hard drive will come out. It's an Ide type . It can be replaced with any Laptop Ide Hard drive. I replaced one with a Hitachi or Toshiba 80 gb 7200 rpm. I would advise getting the 7200 rpm you will see a big difference. I had no heat probs with the 7200.

**belfasteddie** · 07-26-2008, 09:56 AM

You could download the manual from here.http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/p...&lang=en&cc=us

elf · 07-26-2008, 10:20 AM

Cool, thanks for all the help. I was aware of the basic differences, rpms and size wise. My question was specifically about the interface. It has a connection I have never seen before. It looks like a female connector, not the male connector like the ones I'm used to seeing.

Edit: looked it up on the manufacturer website...listed price is $404.00 no way that is gonna work.

**TriggerFinger** · 07-26-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elf

Cool, thanks for all the help. I was aware of the basic differences, rpms and size wise. My question was specifically about the interface. It has a connection I have never seen before. It looks like a female connector, not the male connector like the ones I'm used to seeing.

Edit: looked it up on the manufacturer website...listed price is $404.00 no way that is gonna work.

-- AFAIK that interface can be removed. Post the model of the drive so I can help looking for a replacement.

EDIT:
elf, I downloaded the service manual. It is confirmed that the interface that you see can be removed. So I believe any ATA/IDE 2.5" drive would do. See page 2-10: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00246219.pdf

elf · 07-26-2008, 11:14 AM

Perfect, that works wonders...now to go out and pick up a replacement drive. Thanks for all the help guys.

chumback · 08-20-2008, 07:38 PM

With respect to the specs for a replacement hard-drive... Should I have the exact same power specifications as the old one? I can't seems to find one that has 1 A. My old hd for the 2100 has the power settings 5 V and 1 A. I wanted to know if this one http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...00BEVE&cat=HDD
is a good replacement.

07-26-2008, 08:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,050 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	[SOLVED] Dead harddrive Compaq Presario 2100 So, I think I have already diagnosed the problem to be a bad harddrive. With the drive installed, I cannot load the windows installation process, it freezes right before giving me access to the recovery console. I used BartPE to make a bootable windows disc, which worked in both of my other PC's, but not in the laptop (as long as the harddrive was installed...it worked fine without the hdd. I downloaded knoppix, which worked regardless of whether the hdd was installed or not, but it would not recognize the drive anyway. Even the BIOS tells me it can't find the drive. This leaves very little doubt in my mind it is the hdd that is causing the problems. My question is (since I've never really worked on laptops before), are all laptop harddrives the same? or do I specifically need to order a replacement from Compaq? When searching most of the drives I found had a different connection type, or a bad picture so I couldn't tell what kind of connection it was. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again.

07-26-2008, 09:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
belfasteddie Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Belfast N.I. Posts: 1,551 OS: Puppy Linux 4.12	Re: Dead harddrive Compaq Presario 2100 Compaq Presario hard drive location. Lift the laptop up from the front to a 45 deg angle. You should see a rubber plug in the middle of a door slot.. Gently prise the plug out. Underneath the plug is a screw, remove screw. Wiggle the drawer and the Hard drive will come out. It's an Ide type . It can be replaced with any Laptop Ide Hard drive. I replaced one with a Hitachi or Toshiba 80 gb 7200 rpm. I would advise getting the 7200 rpm you will see a big difference. I had no heat probs with the 7200.

07-26-2008, 09:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
belfasteddie Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Belfast N.I. Posts: 1,551 OS: Puppy Linux 4.12	Re: Dead harddrive Compaq Presario 2100 You could download the manual from here.http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/p...&lang=en&cc=us

07-26-2008, 10:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,050 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	Re: Dead harddrive Compaq Presario 2100 Cool, thanks for all the help. I was aware of the basic differences, rpms and size wise. My question was specifically about the interface. It has a connection I have never seen before. It looks like a female connector, not the male connector like the ones I'm used to seeing. Edit: looked it up on the manufacturer website...listed price is $404.00 no way that is gonna work. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again. Last edited by elf; 07-26-2008 at 10:33 AM.

07-26-2008, 11:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,050 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	Re: Dead harddrive Compaq Presario 2100 Perfect, that works wonders...now to go out and pick up a replacement drive. Thanks for all the help guys. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again.

08-20-2008, 07:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
chumback Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1 OS: Vista	Re: [SOLVED] Dead harddrive Compaq Presario 2100 With respect to the specs for a replacement hard-drive... Should I have the exact same power specifications as the old one? I can't seems to find one that has 1 A. My old hd for the 2100 has the power settings 5 V and 1 A. I wanted to know if this one http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...00BEVE&cat=HDD is a good replacement.