Problem Replacing a Laptop Hard Drive - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

billyball2 · 10-17-2003, 08:15 AM

Hi All,

I have a Dell Inspiration c610 laptop and the Hard Drive is bad. I found a 30 gig (Toshiba) hard drive for $90 and I grabbed it as a replacement. The only problem is that the new hard drive has the pins exposed at the end that connects to the computer, but the existing hard drive has a cap/adapter on the pins to make the drive fit into their drive bay.

My question is, is this adapter something I can pick up at Best Buy, or do I have to (carefully) remove it from the old drive and put it on the new one? Any compatibility issues to be concerned with?

Thanks

Boner · 10-17-2003, 08:31 AM

You won't find the adapter at Best Buy. You might try eBay.

I removed the old one from my Compaq driving using a screwdriver and a hair dryer to loosen the adhesive.

tekaweni · 10-17-2003, 11:41 AM

You should be able to remove the existing adapter and use it on your new drive. As Bones said, a screwdriver. Jewellers screwdrivers, or a knife with a really thin blade.

cheerios · 10-17-2003, 12:46 PM

if you're in california or Nevada, Try a Fry's. they tend to have odd things like that, but if you can salvage it, do so, 'cuz there's no guarantees you'll be able to find the part!!!! (and for that matter you can take it with you to look for a replacement!)

billyball2 · 10-17-2003, 02:53 PM

Thanks. I was planning to use the old pry and pull method, but I wanted a little moral support. I'll let you know how it turns out...

steveincolumbus · 10-18-2003, 11:40 AM

well if you old hdd is fubar your not looseing anything if it breaks, just have to find the connector then

Great Scott · 10-18-2003, 11:12 PM

Nearly all the laptop hard drives have that little "bra" adapter thing. It's not terribly hard to take off, just be sure not to strip the tiny screws. Can be a real pain in the butt to find the right bra for your machine if you damage it. This said I have done it dozens of times to my own machines without a problem.

billyball2 · 10-21-2003, 11:38 AM

Thanks all. GS was right. I barely bent the pins on the old drive getting the adapter off. It went right on the new drive and it works like a champ.

10-17-2003, 08:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
billyball2 Upright	Problem Replacing a Laptop Hard Drive Hi All, I have a Dell Inspiration c610 laptop and the Hard Drive is bad. I found a 30 gig (Toshiba) hard drive for $90 and I grabbed it as a replacement. The only problem is that the new hard drive has the pins exposed at the end that connects to the computer, but the existing hard drive has a cap/adapter on the pins to make the drive fit into their drive bay. My question is, is this adapter something I can pick up at Best Buy, or do I have to (carefully) remove it from the old drive and put it on the new one? Any compatibility issues to be concerned with? Thanks

10-17-2003, 11:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
tekaweni It wasnt me Location: Scotland	You should be able to remove the existing adapter and use it on your new drive. As Bones said, a screwdriver. Jewellers screwdrivers, or a knife with a really thin blade. __________________ If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten

10-17-2003, 08:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Boner Insane Location: Plugged In	You won't find the adapter at Best Buy. You might try eBay. I removed the old one from my Compaq driving using a screwdriver and a hair dryer to loosen the adhesive.

10-17-2003, 12:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
cheerios Banned Location: 'bout 2 feet from my iMac	if you're in california or Nevada, Try a Fry's. they tend to have odd things like that, but if you can salvage it, do so, 'cuz there's no guarantees you'll be able to find the part!!!! (and for that matter you can take it with you to look for a replacement!)

10-17-2003, 02:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
billyball2 Upright	Thanks. I was planning to use the old pry and pull method, but I wanted a little moral support. I'll let you know how it turns out...

10-18-2003, 11:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
steveincolumbus Psycho Location: BFE, Kentucky	well if you old hdd is fubar your not looseing anything if it breaks, just have to find the connector then

10-18-2003, 11:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
Great Scott Insane Location: In a huge maze just trying to find my cheese	Nearly all the laptop hard drives have that little "bra" adapter thing. It's not terribly hard to take off, just be sure not to strip the tiny screws. Can be a real pain in the butt to find the right bra for your machine if you damage it. This said I have done it dozens of times to my own machines without a problem.

10-21-2003, 11:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
billyball2 Upright	Thanks all. GS was right. I barely bent the pins on the old drive getting the adapter off. It went right on the new drive and it works like a champ.