Fixing dead hardrive or replacing and how?

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dxtekkit

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Nov 22, 2017
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hey guys so recently I figured out my hard drive needed to be replaced, however i use a laptop and was put in a dilemma would it be better to buy a ssd internal drive and use a sata to USB to rig it up or replace the internal laptop drive (HDD). I play games mostly on this laptop. Which do you think would be a better option, money is not a problem (to an extent :p )
 
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Hello dxtekkit

Replacing hard drive to the same size and model is the most common thing to do. By looking up the model and make of the hard drive, you can buy the same one again to save any trouble. However, depending on your make and model of the laptop, you may be able to upgrade your hard drive to one with better specs that will still fit in your laptop. Your idea of an SSD is great for playing games. There is limited options as to how big of a hard drive you can have that will fit in your laptop and that's when your external idea comes into play since you are not confined to the laptop' s space in the hard drive cavity. What model and make is your laptop?
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ajgarcia1428

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Hello dxtekkit

Replacing hard drive to the same size and model is the most common thing to do. By looking up the model and make of the hard drive, you can buy the same one again to save any trouble. However, depending on your make and model of the laptop, you may be able to upgrade your hard drive to one with better specs that will still fit in your laptop. Your idea of an SSD is great for playing games. There is limited options as to how big of a hard drive you can have that will fit in your laptop and that's when your external idea comes into play since you are not confined to the laptop' s space in the hard drive cavity. What model and make is your laptop?
 
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TJ Hooker

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How much space were you using on your old drive? That will give you an idea of how much you'll need for a new one. If the price of an SSD isn't an issue, I don't know why you wouldn't get one.

@ajgarcia1428 I've never heard of compatibility issues with storage on a laptop, any 2.5" SATA drive should work just fine.
 
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rgd1101

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MERGED QUESTION
Question from dxtekkit : "Fixing dead hardrive or replacing and how?"







 
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dxtekkit

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Nov 22, 2017
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Thanks for the quick reply the make and model is an alienware 17 from 2013 the drive is a 750gb hdd drive. Willing to answer more if necessary. thanks
 
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ajgarcia1428

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Like TJ HOOKER recommended, you should definitely look into SSD drive to replace the former drive in your Alienware 17. That particular model I think comes with an HDD and SSD, which is awesome. You should look into the Samsung 850 EVO 1TB, it is pretty fast and not too pricey.
 
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dxtekkit

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Nov 22, 2017
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Thanks thats good to hear! As the hard drive it currently has is completely gone how should i go about seating and setting up this new drive. I do have a recovery disk would this work to install a operating system?
 
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ajgarcia1428

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If this is a system repair disk you are referring to, you can definitely use that to recover your system but you would need to boot into the recovery options depending on your operating system. You will still need a installation disk for your operating system for reinstallation. There should be some good videos online showing the installation of the physical hard drive itself into the laptop if you need any guidance just in case.
 
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dxtekkit

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Nov 22, 2017
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thanks again sorry for being not so knowledgeable on this front, but it is a factory reset disk if that helps but will I need to purchase a new copy of an operating system? thanks
 
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TJ Hooker

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Wow, I didn't even know a 1.8" drive was a thing. Interesting.

@dxtekkit what operating system did your laptop have?
 
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dxtekkit

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Nov 22, 2017
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it has windows 8 and the factory reset disk also resets to windows 8 also how would i check to make sure i can just plop in the https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LF10KTO/ref=twister_B01MUGQA4A?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 ( to make sure it fits and boots correctly) kinda a nub at this stuff.
 
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dxtekkit

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Nov 22, 2017
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thanks a lot i really learned a lot from this q/a and i never would've imagined laptop and desktop hard drives are interchangeable!!
 
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TJ Hooker

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Not all are. The standard desktop hard drive is a 3.5" drive, which will not fit in a laptop. But most desktop SSDs are 2.5" drives, which will fit in any laptop that has a 2.5" drive bay. There are also M.2 form factor SSDs, which can be used in any desktop/laptop which has an M.2 slot.
 
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dxtekkit

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so my computer can seat MSata that is any ssd 2.5" correct?
Alienware 17 mSATA, no M.2 slot
source: http://laptopmedia.com/laptop-m-2-ngff-ssd-compatibility-list/
 
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TJ Hooker

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mSATA is different from a 2.5" drive. The mSATA form factor is largely dead, having been displaced by M.2. It looks like your laptop has two 2.5" drive bays, plus an mSATA slot. The mSATA slot is not as easily accessible though, and requires removing the keyboard.
 
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dxtekkit

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Nov 22, 2017
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dope :)
 
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dxtekkit

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one last question what is the difference between these two?? they seem exactly the same?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LF10KTE/ref=psdc_1292116011_t2_B00OBRFFAS

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-2-5-Inch-Internal-MZ-75E1T0B-AM/dp/B00OBRFFAS/ref=pd_bxgy_147_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z0QS1G5BKQPV528S3YT6
 
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USAFRet

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1 is the 850 PRO, 1 is the 850 EVO.
Similar performance, the Pro gives a longer warranty.

The 850 EVO (the cheaper one) is the one you want.
 
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USAFRet

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Most will.
There is also the thickness factor.

Not an issue here, but...
A typical Ultrabook (thin light) will need a 7mm thick drive.
Most normal laptops take either a 7mm or 9.5mm drive.

There are also some high capacity 2.5" format HDD that are 15mm thick. Obviously, those won't fit in a 7mm or 9.5mm space.
This 4TB Seagate, for instance:
https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-2-5-Inch-Internal-ST4000LM024/dp/B01LZMUNGR
 
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