HDD Upgrade Strategy

My daughter's 250gb hdd is almost filled to capacity w/songs and videos...kids! What is the best strategy for dealing with this? New upgraded and larger hdd or some sort of external storage device?
Any thoughts.
Thanks.
Jim

I would agree with MarkH on installing a much larger drive and using Super Duper to make a clone of the internal. You might check with OWC--they have a deal where they will sell you the drive and an enclosure for a good price. Depending on which MBP your daughter has, you can fit a 750 GB or even a 1 TB capacity drive. The 1 TB model is 12.5 mm in height, so it would have to go into a 17" older model MBP or into a Unibody MBP. All the others are 9mm in height and would fit in any MBP. OWC can help you pick the right drive for her machine.
That said, a large external storage device might be good to have for backup. It's always prudent to have your data on more than one hard drive. You can use Super Duper to make backups as well.
Good luck!

Similar Messages

Upgrade strategy for 2008 Unibody: Comments wanted

Short-time lurker, first time poster. :-)
I have a 2008 unibody Macbook (2.4 GHz w/ 4 GB of RAM). It's not my primary computer, but it is my primary travel laptop. Currently it is running Snow Leopard and a Vista Bootcamp partition. I attempted Parallels, but was disappointed with the performance and memory utilization. I'm trying to put together
an upgrade strategy to get another 2-3 years of good practical work out of the machine, as it's in fairly good shape.
Usage for the machine is primarily in OS X while around the house, and a mix of 75% Windows / 25% OS X while traveling, due to the need to run some proprietary apps that are Windows-only. Most are processor and memory bound, rather than GPU bound, which is why I'm able to keep using this machine despite the relatively poor Nvidia GPU.
I've read a fair bit, and decided on getting a larger SSD (300 - 500 GB), probably the OWC 480 GB SandForce-based model, and upgrading to 8 GB of RAM. I'd also like to migrate the BootCamp install to Windows 7, because Vista really quite *****, and I'm on Win 7 everywhere else. However, I have a couple of questions I was hoping y'all could help me with / provide opinions and feedback.
1) Should I wait for the release of Mountain Lion, and do a clean install from a custom USB/DVD? Or should I do a clean reinstall of Snow Leopard, then upgrade to Mountain Lion through the App Store? I am primarily concerned about Boot Camp.
2) Recommendation on an SSD: My understanding is that this particular MB revision is SATA II, so the best I can hope for is 1.5 GB throughput because it will be split with the SuperDrive. I was looking at an OWC Mercury Electra 6G in 480 GB (though that may be overkill). I wanted enough space for a comfortable Windows and OS X install for bootcamp (and to re-try Parallels), and going with 240 GB seemed a bit...sparse.
3) Many of the modeling files I use are already pre-compressed to save space (it's not uncommon for a single simulation to use 4-5 GB grid files and produce 20-30 GB of "compressed" output. Should I stay away from SandForce, or just bite the bullet and pay the higher cost for the OWC Extreme drives?
4) I've read mixed reports about the ability for 2008 unibody Macbooks to address the full 8 GB of RAM, and instead only sees 6 GB. Is this true/false? They don't make 3 GB sticks, so I'm upgrading anyway, but it would be nice to know. I'm okay with only seeing 6 GB, but I'm curious whether folks have observed serious stability issues with an upgrade to 8 GB?
5) Are there any issues WRT Windows 7 through BootCamp on a non-Apple SSD that I should be worried about? I figured I could use TRIM while in BootCamp, and not worry about it in OS X. It still seems to be a toss-up (who do you believe!) whether TRIM makes a difference on SandForce SSDs or not, yes?
6) Any stability issues with FileVault2 full-disk encryption on SSDs in Lion I should worry about? Planning on upgrading to Mountain Lion as soon as it is available.
Thanks for putting up with teh n00b questions.

Get a regular HDD for your computer. It should be a notebook sized drive, SATA II-3.0 Gb/s, 7200 RPM. A Seagate XT500 Hybrid is a good trade-off of performance and price.

Satellite L50-A-19N HDD upgrade question

Hi,
I would like to upgrade the standard HGST HDD to a faster Seagate SSHD, and the problem is that in this model L50-A-19N there is no HDD cover, the whole laptop bottom must be removed like in this Link: [Video|http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG0lW7t92bI]
My question is can I upgrade the Disk by Myself and if not what can I do to replace the Disk not losing the warranty. I read the manual for this model and there is nothing about HDD upgrades there.
Regards.

Usually on most notebook models HDD is placed at the bottom and access to it is not complicated. As you can see on your notebook model it is not so easy and HDD exchange is not supported. With other words it should not be done by notebook owner.
Valid warranty is very important so please don't do anything on your own. HDD exchange in your case can be done by authorized service provider. If they do this warranty will not be cancelled.
Contact nearest Toshiba service provider and ask for help. Addresses and phone numbers you can find on http://www.toshiba.eu/innovation/generic/ASP_SUPPORT/
Good luck

RAM & HDD upgrade on Satellite L30-115

Hi,
I have a Toshiba L30 - 115, and I want to upgrade from its default to 1GB / 2GB RAM and 160GB / 250GB Hard Disk is that possible and if so can you provide me the item number of the modules and the capacity of each. I also would like to know whether the system would support any upgrade such as I wish to do so?

Hello
Answer for RAM upgrade is very easy. This Satellite notebook can handle with 2 GB RAM max and compatible DDR2-400/533 1GB memory module has part number PA3411U-1M1G. you can use two 1GB modules and upgrade it to maximum.
About HDD upgrade is not easy to offer precise info because I know that Toshibas specification says that HDD can be upgraded up to 80 GB. Unfortunately I didnt find any public document about exact list of compatible HDDs but I believe you can upgrade it with 120 GB HDD.
Sorry buddy but I didnt find more info. Maybe someone with L30 will post here about HDD upgrade.

Lenovo G560 - Issue with won't boot and black screen after HDD upgrade

Lenovo G560 - Issue with won't boot and black screen after HDD upgrade.
What happen: My laptop was working fine, no blue screen issue, no funny business at all. I bought a new SSD Intel 120 GB and thought it would be a good idea to replace the HDD. I shutdown and disconnected the power adapter, waited a couple of minutes and removed the battery. I opened up the back case and replaced the HDD. And put all the screws back and put the battery back in.
Problem: The very first time I turned the power on, nothing happens besides a black screen. I pressed the dvd drive it works and opens up and closes. I waited for about 30 mins and still has blac screen. When I mean black screen, no bios menu, no logo, just a black screen with the fan sound on.
I have tried these:
1. Unplugged everything - battery, adapter, and pressed the power on button for about 60 seconds, nothing, the laptop turns on with the LED display on for both on and battery LED's. But nothing but black screen, no sound of windows loading just the fan and black screen.
2. I tried putting back my old 2.5" and nothing but black screen.
Thoughts and suggestions?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi Autoexit173,
Welcome to Lenovo Community!
As per the query we understood that you are facing issue with system not booting in your Lenovo G560 laptop.
As you have mentioned that the system not booting, please try to remove the RAM and turn on the system and check if you can hear any beep sound. Also try to clean the RAM slots and check for the issue.
Click here for the steps to remove the RAM and refer page number 40.
Hope this helps. Do post back if issue persists!
Best regards,
Ashwin.S
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BW Upgrade Strategy

Hello!
We are planning to perform a BW upgrade strategy - BW 3.x to BI 7.0. Without enough experience in doing upgrade, an alternative strategy is formed. Will this be possible?
1. Install BI 7.0 on a new box
2. Create connection of BI 7.0 with source systems
3. Replicate exisitng objects from BW 3.x
4. Load history data
If this is possible, how would other objects such as user master data, roles and profiles (basically non-BW objects) be replicated/migrated in the new BI 7.0 also?
TIA!

Usually the upgrade strategy would be to do a technical upgrade and then do a functional upgrade later on. From your process im not sure what you plan to achieve when u say replicate existing objects after new installation. Do you want to create those again in BI7?? That depends on how much stuff you have developed in ur BW. If you just do an upgrade on a 3.5 system, you dont have to worry about loading data.
As far as roles go , BI7 uses analysis authorization which is different from 3.5, so you have a provision of not switcing it on and still using the 3.5 secuirty and there is migration tool that lets you convert these to 7.0 when u r ready.
Gokul

Support Pack Upgrade Strategy

Hi Experts,
I am trying to develop a strategy for testing SP upgrades in development and "okaying" them for migration into production.
What steps do you normally take to ensure your system works as intended and the update is really for production?
I would think to go through and verify all of the changes from the SAP note which contains the SP detail, but what else? It is often the case that implementing a SP has an effect on other functionality.
Please share your thoughts and experiences.
Thanks,
Grace Rae

Hi Grace,
Firstly, this question should be posted in the Basis forums You will have more experts who dealt with these activities there.
Regarding the support pack upgrade strategy, we would normally implement it in the test systems, and closely monitor the system performance in peak and normal hours, background jobs, and any other issues that are highlighted during the monitoring period. If there are no issues reported by the functional testing team, we will go ahead implementing it in production system.
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Raghu

Cannot install recovery image on my Equium after HDD upgrade

Hi
I just installed a new hard drive to my Toshiba Equium laptop I contacted Toshiba who informed me I could fit up to 1TB I opted for half way with a 500GB.
After installing the drive I inserted recovery disk after a while it had loaded with the message operation completed successfully. Next message windows set up could not configure windows to run on this computers hard ware. Then windows could not complete the installation to install windows on this computer restart the installation...
At the end of the recovery process a message tells me to remove recovery disk and exit as soon as I exit laptop shuts down and doesnt re boot automatically. When restarted next message windows Vista is starting for the first time then the cycle starts again. I have tried to reload recovery several times as instructed but no good.
Any help much appreciated

I dont know which notebook model do you have but if recovery image is Vista it must be pretty old model, maybe Equium A200.
To be honest I didn't make experiments with HDD upgrade on older models but I can imagine recovery image make a problems with HDDs with huge capacity.
Post please model name and which HDD have you inside now.
By the way: if possible try to install Win7 using Microsoft installation disc. Im sure it will works without any problem.

Equium U400-145 HDD upgrade

Hi,
I have a Toshiba Equium U400-145 and it currently has Windows 7 on it, and a 160GB hard disk. Is it possible to upgrade to a larger (1TB) hard disk, and if so can I use another external HDD (ie connected by USB) to take an image of the current one using Clonezilla, then do the hardware upgrade and restore the image to the new drive once its fitted? (Or would Windows 7 need to be reinstalled)?

Theoretically it should be possible. Clonezilla is not known to me but in the past many people have done similar thing using other applications like Acronis. In your case I think you must use Clonezilla Live.
U400 is god machine and runs perfectly with Windows 7. I don't know if you were able to install it perfectly including all necessary drivers, tools and utilities.
Back to HDD upgrade. I don't have this machine and cannot say for sure is everything will be OK but I think new HDD should be recognized properly with full 1TB capacity.

How to restore from time machine after HDD upgrade on macbook pro?

Hi,
I have recently bought a WD 2.5 inch SATA 750GB 7200RPM 16GB HDD and plan to use it on my macbook pro 13 inch 2.4ghz early 2011. I will leave the pysical installation part to Apple Service. I have my Time Machine backup on an external hard disk. So, once I get the upgraded macbook, what are the steps I should follow for a complete Time Machine restore? (Including the formatting on the new HDD).
One more question; when I transfer my applications to the new HDD will Time Machine "remember" their activation codes and license information ?
Thanks a lot.

http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/14.html
This has all the instructions for a complete restore, including how to format the disk. Pondini's site probably has anything else you want to know too.
Good luck!

Question about HDD upgrade on Satellite M40X-184?

Hello
I want to ask if there is an option to insert a new hdd in my toshiba. As far as I know there is no official support for this??
There is an access to the place where the disk is placed on the side of notebook. S
o my question is
1. is it possible to place a new disk (faster and bigger)
2. is it possible without loosing warranty
3. what disks do you suggest
Thanks Szczepaan

Hello Hinni
Unfortunately there is no public document about that and those information has Toshiba service partner or some independent PC and notebook service specialized for upgrade.
I can just tell you that Toshiba directly dont support hardware upgrade and I have noticed that hardware upgrade is cuts into three areas:
- user upgrade (memory)
- dealer upgrade (HDD)
- service upgrade (WLAN card, BT module)
If you want to exchange the HDD alone take old out and notice all data on the sticker and talk with your local dealer if you want to buy the same but with more capacity. You can test new one and if there is some problem (not recognized by system) you can send it back any time.

HDD Upgrade on a Late 2006 Mini - Some Pre Op advice please!

Hi there
I'm looking to update the HDD in my Mac Mini (Model MA608LL/A) and would like a bit of advice and to ask a few questions on whether the drives I'm looking at are suitable.
The drives i'm looking at are:
Hitachi Travelstar 7K500 250GB 2.5" SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache / Hitachi Travelstar 5K500 250GB 2.5" SATAII 5400rpm 8MB Cache
Seagate ST9250315AS 250GB 2.5" Hard Drive SATAII 5400rpm 8MB Cache / Seagate ST9250410AS 250GB 2.5" Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache
Firstly my concerns are regarding the cache on the drive would the Mac Mini benefit from the having a 16mb cache? The original drive has a 8mb cache on it? Also one of the dives is a 7200rpm drive will the SATA controller on the MIni allow it to run at full speed or will the drive just run at 5400?
Secondly are there any unexpected things I need to know regarding changing the drive? I've built literally hundreds of desktop PC's (I work as a IT Tech at my local high school) and I have successfully taken apart a couple of mini's before to install new RAM so I feel quite confident in my ability to physically do the swap however it's always good to get some advice from people who are more experienced and have actually done this job. Are there any other sensors / cabling that would not need to be considered on a normal HDD swap on a PC? Also are there any specialist tools (other than putty knives!) I would need?
Any advice / warnings will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
John

More cache on the drive will always be a good idea. The 7200 rpm drives are also a better idea. Neither of these things are effected by the SATA controller in the mini. The controller only asks the drive for data, and the drive itself uses the larger cache and faster rotational speed to hand over that data faster. The only issue that would arise is heat, and many people have upgraded to 7200 rpm drives without any serious issues.
If you want some good visual guides to help you with the upgrade, there are free videos on OWC's website:
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macmini_06-08_mem_hdopt/
And a very nicely illustrated guide on iFixit.com:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-Mac-mini-Model-A1176-Hard-Drive/11 08/1
There are some things to be careful of with respect to cables and drive temperature sensors which will be more obvious and easier to understand by using those visual resources.

HDD upgrade on my Satellite A100-259

Hi,
I want to upgrade my hard drive but I am unsure if its an IDE or SATA. Ive found software that gives me all laptop information and under the hard disk drive its got interface IDE SATA, so I am non the wiser the hard drive is a TOSHIBA MK6034GSX.
I have a Satellite A100-259 PSAA2E.
Many thanks.

Hello
According the notebook specification your notebook is delivered with 60GB HDD. Interface: Serial ATA Rev. 1.0a.

My HDX X18 HDD upgrade/ replacement

my HDX X18-1050EF hdd originally came with 2 250gb/ 5400 for a total of 500gb.
Im about to upgrade the primary hdd to 250gb/7200
I don't need more space, but a slightly faster hdd. Not faster like an SSD.
but i don't know if the computer will be able to support that dual hard drive configuration...
this is what the maintenance guide says
Supports the following dual hard drive configurations:
■ 1000-GB, 5400-rpm (500-GB × 2)
■ 800-GB, 5400-rpm (400-GB × 2)
■ 640-GB, 5400-rpm (320-GB × 2)
■ 500-GB, 5400-rpm (250-GB × 2)
■ 320-GB, 7200-rpm (160-GB × 2)
■ 320-GB, 5400-rpm (160-GB × 2)
■ 160-GB, 5400-rpm (80-GB × 2)
so, the question is, can i have those configuration?
■500GB 1st. 250gb 7200 2nd. 250gb 5400
■750GB 1st. 250gb 7200 2nd. 500gb 5400

It will support anything that you have posted in any combination and easily a 250 GB drive at 7200 RPM. Make sure it's SATA 2 or SATA 3.
If you can afford a SSD, go for that, you're not going to notice a huge differnece in speed between the 5400 ad 7200.

Satellite A300-1mz Can I use the recovery disks after a HDD upgrade?

I'm upgrading the hard drive of my *toshiba a300-1mz*, but I'd be sure that I can use the *recovery disks* maked at the first boots for the s.o. (vista)
I expect your support...
thank you very much...

> how can I be sure that the disk is properly recognized before I buy it???
What do you mean exactly? Did you mean the HDD???
The A300 supports and 2.5 SATA HDD and all 2.5 HDD should be recognized properly since the SATA HDD controller hasnt any limitations.
Bye

HDD Upgrade Strategy

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