Required Spec for Replacing a Hard Drive

[StringJunky]

Hi

I have a Presario CQ60 212em Laptop. If I had to replace my hard drive and couldn't get a HP original replacement for my computer, what elements of the specification would I need to know when looking for a new one from a different manufacturer to ensure a smooth changeover?  Does anyone know the full spec. of this hard drive in mine or how I can find it? I live in the UK and the HP originals are not sold here....no positive results from Google anyway.

Also would using another manufacturer's HD affect my use of the HP Recovery disks?

Thanks

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

You need a laptop SATA hard drive. They are generic and interchangeable and much, much cheaper purchased at retail instead of buying direct from HP. I would think well under 50 UK pounds will buy a 250 gig  or 320 gig. There have been isolated reports of problems with 500 gig drives and any sized 7200 rpm drives. I have never experienced those issues but they are out there so to be 100% safe get nothing bigger than 320 gig and stick with 5400 rpm spin speed.

You recovery disks will recover onto any hard drive you put in there. 

Here is an example of a good drive on newegg.com and I think they ship to Europe or I am sure you can find a similar UK site:

320 gig 5400 rpm drive

Let us know if you need specific help with installation or data migration.

[StringJunky]

Thanks Huffer

I'm looking to experiment with an external hard drive enclosure using laptop hard drives (2.5inch) and an imaging program to make a series of complete backups. I thought it would be good insurance if I settled on a hard drive type that was compatible with my laptop in the event of a disaster.

I'll bear your recommendations  and precautions in mind...I think the Nextstar unit is available here.

What backup software do you recommend...the latest version of Acronis has some bad bugs and poor user reports when the advanced features are used? This is not good news for something that has a such critical purpose.

Many Thanks 

[Huffer]

I personally use an older version of Acronis for most systems except that version does not work for computers with the ich9 Intel SATA controller. I just imaged several laptops with that chipset (an Acer, an HP and a Toshiba) using the trial version of the newest Acronis and had no issues. Symantec Ghost is also good and here is a page with some links to freeware disk cloners:

Free Stuff

[StringJunky]

Thanks for your response and the link, Huffer.....I'll try HDClone and DriveImage first seeing as they are free and work through backup and recovery scenarios with them  when I've got the new hardware. I'll also try the trial version of Acronis to see if it's ok on my computer and to see if it's worth the money against the free ones.

Sorted! 

[CherylG]

A great,free app I have been using lately is Macrium Reflect Disk Imaging:

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

As a longtime Ghost user,I find Macrium just as good for my use.I use it for images of my Vista laptop to USB HDD.I have also used it to image to DVD with good results. For a clean XP install with Offce,etc using about 5 gb of hdd space, it will image to 1 DVD is less than 20 minutes.It has builtin support for creating a Linux boot cd for restoring images.Very impressive,especially for free.

[StringJunky]

Thanks Cheryl,That app. looks very interesting...I,ll give it a whirl with the others...I take this aspect of computers very seriously;.reliability and consistency are the two main attributes I,m looking for...ability to cater for different backup scenarios and recovery situations would be good as well.

I noticed in the full version you get Win PE 2-0. I remember that you can get this free with the Windows Automated Installation Kit from Microsoft Downloads. I think W.A.I.K. is used to make a bespoke Vista installation disk... It is a BIG download though....1.3GB! 

Many Thanks