First off I just want to say a massive thanks to pugwash75 and his fantastic hard drive removal tutorial. A great guide and very easy to follow.

http://www.siliconpopculture.com/sonytr/viewtopic.php?t=5486&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Having successfully removed the hard drive, I am now looking for a compatible replacement. The one I have taken out is a 30GB Hitachi Travelstar Model HTC423030F9ATD0.

The one I have seen that I am hoping will be compatible is a 40 Gb Toshiba MK-4008GAH ATA-6, 4200 rpm, 2MB Cache 15 ms. Supported interface standards: ATA-2; ATA-5; ATA-3; ATA-4; ATA-6.

I dont understand the interface standards but Im guessing if the one I took out is either ATA-2; ATA-5; ATA-3; ATA-4; or ATA-6, then the Toshiba MK-4008GAH should be compatible?

Also once I do get a compatible drive, am I going to have any issues reinstalling the operating system? I know some laptops have a hidden system partition for use with a recovery cd/dvd and obviously this will not be on a new hard drive!

I should also mention this is not my laptop. I am just trying to sort it out for a friend. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

43 views and no reply? :(

Ok I have been doing some research into this.

This is the dead hard drive that I have removed.
http://www.hitachigst.com/portal/site/en/menuitem.f3d66560f2efeb5deb4703e3aac4f0a0/

Apparently its an ATA-5 interface.

This is the drive I am hoping to replace it with.
http://www.toshiba-europe.com/storage/manual_tec.asp?model=MK4008GAH&modeltype;=

It says the drive supports ATA-2, ATA-3, ATA-4, ATA-5 and ATA-6 interfaces. The interface type also says 1.8 inch ATA (ZIF). I know ZIF is zero insertion force. Also the dimensions on both drives do not look the same despite both being 1.8”. It looks like the interface connector on the Hitachi is on a different edge on the Toshiba.

Hitachi

Toshiba

:?

Unfortuantely, there’s no standard for interfaces in 1.8” drives. For whatever reason, Hitachi decided to put the interface on the side which means you need a completely different interface cable.

If you really want to upgrade to a Toshiba HDD you’re going to also have to buy a new interface cable from Sony Parts Direct in order to use the Toshiba HDD. It’s part number 1-688-245-11 FPC HDD (To).

Hope this helps.

Hey! Thanks for the reply! I was told the Toshiba one would not be compatible and have been suggested with this one. Can you tell me if this one would be compatible. The only difference I can see is that its a slimline version but so long as I get the IDE version and not the ZIF it should be ok?

http://www.macheaven.co.uk/?page=proddetail&prod=19842

Thanks.

Hi,

my vaio pcg 481m hard drive has broken. did you ever find a replacement? if so can you give me a link?

thanks

[quote author=“headshot”]First off I just want to say a massive thanks to pugwash75 and his fantastic hard drive removal tutorial. A great guide and very easy to follow.

http://www.siliconpopculture.com/sonytr/viewtopic.php?t=5486&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0.

Thank you indeed - I keep secretly hoping gr00vy will make it sticky and grant me the international fame I clearly deserve…

Chris

Hi can anyone help me as to which hard drive will fit?

thanks