Solve : Notebook HD Failing, Got Q's.?

1.	Solve : Notebook HD Failing, Got Q's.?
Answer» The HD on my notebook is about to bite the dust, it's got all the classic symptoms. I haven't cracked open a notebook, or a PC since like 1996 so I'm lost on the 'new' technology. The current HD is of the Ultra-ATA/100 variety. I'm finding replacement 2.5" Ultra-ATA's to be few, far-between, and friggin expensive! If I've got ATA/100, then ATA/33 and ATA/6 should be backwards compatible, right? Also, with the new HD, I want to completely clone the current failing HD to it (i'm actually using the notebook right now). Can this be done with just the new drive in an enclosure? In other words, can I just hook up the new HD in an enclosure, plug it in via USB (or serial, or parallel??), and copy the old HD to the new one? Would this just create a perfect image on the new HD, or would it place the copy onto a partition on the new HD, and then I'd have to 'merge' the partitions together?? Any good software to use for the cloning? Any help would be appreciated, because if this HD goes, I'm FUBARED cause I didn't back up anything! Quote ...If I've got ATA/100, then ATA/33 and ATA/6 should be backwards compatible, right? ... The way to find out is to enter the BIOS setup (you should see a message when the computer starts and before you get to Windows that SAYS something like "Press the Del KEY to enter setup"). Press the key indicated. In the BIOS setup, use the keyboard to navigate to the hard drive display and see if it lists ATA/33 or ATA/6 as an option. If it does, all you have to do is set it for the CORRECT hard drive type, power down the computer, open the laptop, INSTALL the new hard drive, start the computer, and enter the BIOS setup to see if it detects the hard drive. You can then install Windows. One thing to keep in MIND: Laptop and notebook hard drives are often proprietary, so you might be limited to only hard drives made for that make and model of computer (which are usually available only from the computer's manufacturer, or on a site like eBay). Sometimes you can get a good deal on eBay by buying a laptop of exactly the same make and model that has a defective display but still has a good hard drive.

Answer»

The HD on my notebook is about to bite the dust, it's got all the classic symptoms. I haven't cracked open a notebook, or a PC since like 1996 so I'm lost on the 'new' technology.

The current HD is of the Ultra-ATA/100 variety. I'm finding replacement 2.5" Ultra-ATA's to be few, far-between, and friggin expensive!

If I've got ATA/100, then ATA/33 and ATA/6 should be backwards compatible, right?

Also, with the new HD, I want to completely clone the current failing HD to it (i'm actually using the notebook right now). Can this be done with just the new drive in an enclosure? In other words, can I just hook up the new HD in an enclosure, plug it in via USB (or serial, or parallel??), and copy the old HD to the new one? Would this just create a perfect image on the new HD, or would it place the copy onto a partition on the new HD, and then I'd have to 'merge' the partitions together??

Any good software to use for the cloning?

Any help would be appreciated, because if this HD goes, I'm FUBARED cause I didn't back up anything! Quote

...If I've got ATA/100, then ATA/33 and ATA/6 should be backwards compatible, right?
...

The way to find out is to enter the BIOS setup (you should see a message when the computer starts and before you get to Windows that SAYS something like "Press the Del KEY to enter setup"). Press the key indicated. In the BIOS setup, use the keyboard to navigate to the hard drive display and see if it lists ATA/33 or ATA/6 as an option. If it does, all you have to do is set it for the CORRECT hard drive type, power down the computer, open the laptop, INSTALL the new hard drive, start the computer, and enter the BIOS setup to see if it detects the hard drive. You can then install Windows.

One thing to keep in MIND: Laptop and notebook hard drives are often proprietary, so you might be limited to only hard drives made for that make and model of computer (which are usually available only from the computer's manufacturer, or on a site like eBay). Sometimes you can get a good deal on eBay by buying a laptop of exactly the same make and model that has a defective display but still has a good hard drive.

Solve : Notebook HD Failing, Got Q's.?

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