How to add new HDD to laptop

stryder1587 · 10-21-2008, 03:53 PM

I have read a few articles explaining how to do it, but my problem is that my old harddrive is completely dead, so I can`t even get into windows. One of the steps is to backup information from the old harddrive. How can I possibly do that when I can`t get into windows. I know Ghost and Acronis True Image will replicate the harddrive but I think that must be done in windows. I am posting on another working laptop.

**Snoopdogie187** · 10-21-2008, 07:25 PM

Hi, if the hard drive is dead and won't even spin, then you can't get the files off of it so easily. You would really need to take it apart at that point and if it is anything really important then take it to get professionally done. This applies for any physically malfunction the drive may have.
Some times with hard drives, cd -roms, etc. if the motor is goin that spin the disk, thenyo can sometimes get them to work for one time. I did this with an old cd-rom and I reinstalled Windows back onto that computer with the drive, I just wasnt able to let the drive stop spinning.

If there is another issue, then you may want to try booting off the OS cd.

Backing up files is only important if you care about the files, but you you have to realize you will lose everything. After you change the hard drive you will also have to reinstalle the OS again.

stryder1587 · 10-21-2008, 10:43 PM

There are some files that are important, but not like life or death sorta thing. I think the disk still spins. I am not sure exactly what is wrong with it. I only know that it failed several diagnostic tests, I can't do check disk utility, restore safe points, go into safe mode, and pretty much had no options left.

I am thinking of putting the drive into an enclosure and seeing if it can be accessed by a working computer. Would this work, or it wont make a difference at all?

**Snoopdogie187** · 10-22-2008, 07:36 AM

If you put it into an enclosure then that will tell you if there is a problem with the hard drive, it would elimante any other possible causes. And then you also don't need to load windows off of it.
I'm not sure, but it sounds like you are getting at least part of the way into windows, enough to select some options, so if you are doing that without the cd then the hard drive still works, but either files are corrupt or the mechanical part of it is getting weak and only can get it to spin for so long.

But try it on a working computer, see what you can get to. I suggest if you do this you do run some tests on the hard drive (error checking and usual the manufactor of the hard drive has their own diagnostic software which you should download and run)

Seagate - http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/sup...loads/seatools

WD - http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en then select the hard drive type it is (without the enclosure), then download Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows (if you are using windows 98 or newer)

If you have another har drive and can't find the diagnostics software, post back and I'll check for it.

stryder1587 · 10-22-2008, 03:49 PM

I put it into an enclosure, and I hear the usual noise from inside a computer, so I'm assuming that's the sound of the spinning.
It's supposed to auto detect the drive and set it up with the built in driver of the enclosure but nothing seems to be detected.

It happens to be a toshiba 120gb 5400rpm drive that came default with my dell laptop. It's only been a bit over a year...is that typical?

**Snoopdogie187** · 10-22-2008, 06:23 PM

hard drives can be very unpredicatble for when they die, but a year is a little quick.

If you set it up on XP, Vita, (i hink 2000, maybe ME and around then) it should automatically install the drivers unless the manufactor gave you specific ones.

If it s making clcking sound, and some other types of sounds or he spinning doesn't sound constant then the drive may just be bad.

Also for har drives the warrenty is typically 3+ years but being it was bought in a dell computer that may not stand.

stryder1587 · 10-22-2008, 08:56 PM

does toshiba have any special diagnostic software?

**Snoopdogie187** · 10-23-2008, 04:00 AM

Toshiba doesn't seem to have one.

You can try to use the seagate or WD ones but they may be locked to their brands only.

Kind of interesting, my Toshiba laptap has a Fujitsu hard drive I believe, I just know its not Toshiba.

10-21-2008, 03:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
stryder1587 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 7 OS: Vista Home	How to add new HDD to laptop I have read a few articles explaining how to do it, but my problem is that my old harddrive is completely dead, so I can`t even get into windows. One of the steps is to backup information from the old harddrive. How can I possibly do that when I can`t get into windows. I know Ghost and Acronis True Image will replicate the harddrive but I think that must be done in windows. I am posting on another working laptop.

10-21-2008, 07:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Snoopdogie187 Oh! What shall I be? Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,403 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1, mom: XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: How to add new HDD to laptop Hi, if the hard drive is dead and won't even spin, then you can't get the files off of it so easily. You would really need to take it apart at that point and if it is anything really important then take it to get professionally done. This applies for any physically malfunction the drive may have. Some times with hard drives, cd -roms, etc. if the motor is goin that spin the disk, thenyo can sometimes get them to work for one time. I did this with an old cd-rom and I reinstalled Windows back onto that computer with the drive, I just wasnt able to let the drive stop spinning. If there is another issue, then you may want to try booting off the OS cd. Backing up files is only important if you care about the files, but you you have to realize you will lose everything. After you change the hard drive you will also have to reinstalle the OS again. __________________ studying = day + night + any free time - times I have exams Infected computer? click here Has TSF Helped You? Posting System Specifications Please Donate to TSF

10-21-2008, 10:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
stryder1587 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 7 OS: Vista Home	Re: How to add new HDD to laptop There are some files that are important, but not like life or death sorta thing. I think the disk still spins. I am not sure exactly what is wrong with it. I only know that it failed several diagnostic tests, I can't do check disk utility, restore safe points, go into safe mode, and pretty much had no options left. I am thinking of putting the drive into an enclosure and seeing if it can be accessed by a working computer. Would this work, or it wont make a difference at all?

10-22-2008, 07:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
Snoopdogie187 Oh! What shall I be? Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,403 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1, mom: XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: How to add new HDD to laptop If you put it into an enclosure then that will tell you if there is a problem with the hard drive, it would elimante any other possible causes. And then you also don't need to load windows off of it. I'm not sure, but it sounds like you are getting at least part of the way into windows, enough to select some options, so if you are doing that without the cd then the hard drive still works, but either files are corrupt or the mechanical part of it is getting weak and only can get it to spin for so long. But try it on a working computer, see what you can get to. I suggest if you do this you do run some tests on the hard drive (error checking and usual the manufactor of the hard drive has their own diagnostic software which you should download and run) Seagate - http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/sup...loads/seatools WD - http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en then select the hard drive type it is (without the enclosure), then download Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows (if you are using windows 98 or newer) If you have another har drive and can't find the diagnostics software, post back and I'll check for it. __________________ studying = day + night + any free time - times I have exams Infected computer? click here Has TSF Helped You? Posting System Specifications Please Donate to TSF

10-22-2008, 03:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
stryder1587 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 7 OS: Vista Home	Re: How to add new HDD to laptop I put it into an enclosure, and I hear the usual noise from inside a computer, so I'm assuming that's the sound of the spinning. It's supposed to auto detect the drive and set it up with the built in driver of the enclosure but nothing seems to be detected. It happens to be a toshiba 120gb 5400rpm drive that came default with my dell laptop. It's only been a bit over a year...is that typical?

10-22-2008, 06:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Snoopdogie187 Oh! What shall I be? Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,403 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1, mom: XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: How to add new HDD to laptop hard drives can be very unpredicatble for when they die, but a year is a little quick. If you set it up on XP, Vita, (i hink 2000, maybe ME and around then) it should automatically install the drivers unless the manufactor gave you specific ones. If it s making clcking sound, and some other types of sounds or he spinning doesn't sound constant then the drive may just be bad. Also for har drives the warrenty is typically 3+ years but being it was bought in a dell computer that may not stand. __________________ studying = day + night + any free time - times I have exams Infected computer? click here Has TSF Helped You? Posting System Specifications Please Donate to TSF

10-22-2008, 08:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
stryder1587 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 7 OS: Vista Home	Re: How to add new HDD to laptop does toshiba have any special diagnostic software?

10-23-2008, 04:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
Snoopdogie187 Oh! What shall I be? Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,403 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1, mom: XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: How to add new HDD to laptop Toshiba doesn't seem to have one. You can try to use the seagate or WD ones but they may be locked to their brands only. Kind of interesting, my Toshiba laptap has a Fujitsu hard drive I believe, I just know its not Toshiba. __________________ studying = day + night + any free time - times I have exams Infected computer? click here Has TSF Helped You? Posting System Specifications Please Donate to TSF