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Getting a hard disk for a laptop

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First post, by Zup

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I've got a "new" Toshiba Satellite Pro 4300 and I'm thinking about repairing it. The main issue is that the HDD is missing, and it seems that also the HDD carrier is missing. There is a cover that hides the IDE connector, but when a standard laptop HDD is installed it is loose (=about 1 mm up, down, left and right).

I'm thinking about using a laptop IDE HDD and then use something (like foam) to fill the gap to avoid HDD movements. The other option would be using some kind of "SSD" thing because vibrations won't affect it. My options are:

- Using a laptop HDD. Easy, but I don't think I could get a new IDE HDD. Getting a working, reliable, second hand HDD can be a nightmare, too.
- Buying a laptop DOM. The expensive solution.
- Using a IDE to flash adaptor, and then a flash card. It is cheaper, but I have some concerns about performance.

Are DOMs as fast as IDE HDDs?

How about the IDE to flash performance? I was thinking about using a IDE to SD adaptor with a Samsung UHS card (fast, cheap, realiable and easy to find), but I guess IDE to CF cards would be faster (direct conversion) if I find a fast CF card. I've heard that using a flash card could impact performance but how much?

What kind of filler would you use to tighten that HDD? Paper? Some kind of foam? I'd need some filler that allow me to replace that HDD easily.

Thanks.

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Reply 1 of 5, by Half-Saint

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Look here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toshiba-Satellite-Pro … SQAAOxyUrZSuFBA

The HDD caddy is nothing more than a thin metal frame. It doesn't seem to serve any special function except to make it easier to remove the HDD. Vibration from the HDD itself shouldn't be an issue. You can just put a small thin piece of foam between the HDD cover and the HDD itself to make the HDD a little bit more secure. Either way, it's not very likely that it could unplug itself given that the connector pins are quite long and there's not enough space in the HDD compartment for that to happen anyway.

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Reply 2 of 5, by chinny22

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Maybe another option is a 44pin to SATA converter, depends on how tight space really is?
I would place DOM between CF cards and SSD. SSD is designed for speed where a DOM is for industrial PC's, where speed is not overly important.
As you said DOM's aren't cheep, If it was my I'd try relatively cheep CF first, maybe it'll be ok for what you need

Reply 3 of 5, by candle_86

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Well considering its a 98 era laptop the original drive would likely be slower than a modern CF card. So why not do it.

Reply 5 of 5, by clueless1

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If you're going to use a shim to secure the drive, maybe pick a material that won't hold static electricity. Maybe a folded up piece of antistatic bag?

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