Question 1

Can someone please tell me what specific cables I need to hook this up? It came oem without any cables from Newegg.

Accepted Answer

It takes a SATA cable. These can be gotten at any computer store for a reasonable amount. $5-15.

Most cables have straight ends, although some have 90 degree ends. Dell computers usually use a 90 degree end on the drive end.

Also SATA drives have a special power connection different from the standard 4 pin. If your power supply on your computer doesn't have one, you can also get an adapter for real cheap. It plugs into the existing 4 pin plug and plugs into the drive on the other end.

Question 2

Stupid question, I'am looking for a replacement hard drive for my HP Pavillion DM4 laptop, I think this harddrive is for desktops?? What should I be looking at. Thanks in advance.

Accepted Answer

You need to look at 2.5" drives for laptop. I highly recommend a "solid state" hard drive for laptops. No moving parts and the battery lasts a lot longer. Boots quicker too. You can find a 250gb drive for $100 or less now. The solid state installs exactly in the same place as a standard 2.5 drive. 2.5" are designed for laptops. 3.5" are for desktops and a lot bigger.

The largest difference between 2.5 and 3.5 inch hard drives is their size. Two and a half inch hard drives aren't just narrower. They're also shorter and thinner, which makes them popular for laptop computers while desktop business computers typically use 3.5 inch drives.

Question 3

Is this hard drive for a laptop because that is what I am replacing it for? Thank you!

Accepted Answer

definitely not! all 3.5 inch drives are for desktop PCs or NAS devices. For a laptop you need a 2.5 inch size drive / ssd (if you see 7 / 9mm for drive size, they are referring to the thickness of a 2.5 inch drive for a laptop. Some newer laptops only have enough space for a 7mm thick drive so be careful! you can tell this by googling the model of the current drive in your laptop and finding how thick the current one is in it's model specs)

Question 4

What does it mean when it says its a bare drive?

Accepted Answer

Drive only.  No cables or external case.  Ready to install inside a computer or external drive case or other device.

Question 5

Will this work in place of Hitachi HDS721050cla362, 7200 rpm, 3.0 Gb/s??

Accepted Answer

Yes it will. I bought this as a replacement drive for my parents pc back in July. It doing fine thus far.

Question 6

Is this compatible with an iMac 4,1 and Mac OS10.5.8? I need to do a backup before upgrading to 10.6.

Accepted Answer

Seagate externals are fine. Match the size with the size of your internal HD. Match the speed of the USB connection to the speed of your best available connection. USB 3.0 is much faster than USB 2.0. You should get in the habit of making regular backups. Lots of good software out there to help.

Question 7

will this work or replace the western digital in a HP CQ5210?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it will work.  They are both 500 GB, 7200 drives.  They both have the same warranty.  If you plan to clone your current drive, either Seagate or WD Acronius software will work.  At least one drive must be the same as the free version of cloning disk software.

Question 8

I have limited knowledge of computers. All I know is that I need a replacement hard drive. Would this come with windows already installed or is that something I would also have to buy?

Accepted Answer

Replacement hard drives will not come with the operating system installed.  You might be able to contact the manufacturer of your computer to get a cd that will allow you to load all of the operating system and applications that were on your pc when you purchased it. You can use this to restore your new replacement drive to as new condition.  These cds are usually bootable, so that all you have to do is load the cd into your cd drive and answer a few prompts and then the disk will do the rest.  Make note of the model number of your pc and contact your manufacturer.  Your machine may be out of warranty, but you should still be able to purchase a recovery cd.

Question 9

This is to replace hard-drive in HP All-in-one; Pavilion 23 desk top.
Will this one work?

Accepted Answer

I doubt it.  But I recommend you PULL the bad drive out first.  The All in One desktops are pretty THIN.  It likely uses a 2.5" laptop style SATA drive.  Just measure the width of the drive in there with a ruler.  ANY same size drive (form factor) will work.

Question 10

will this install in an emachines et1161-03 that has a WD Sata 320gb internal hard drive?

Accepted Answer

Yes but be sure the connectors on your OLD hard drive are SATA.

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