laptop HD in external Case?

[paradigmshift]

Hi all,
I have a 40gb fugitsu hd in an external case. My question is What type of laptop hd can I buy that will fit into this external case and be compatible. I mean can I buy a 160gb 2.5inch laptop hard drive and put it in this external case and will it work? Thanks a bunch.

 

[peterhuang913]

You just need to match the type of drive and form factor. The 2.5 in should work.

 

[paradigmshift]

what do you mean by "type of drive"... do you mean it has to be fujitsu?

Because originally I bought the case and the hard drive seperatly and assembled it myself.

 

[peterhuang913]

No. There are two types of drives: PATA and SATA. PATA has two rows of pins, probably what you have. SATA is a newer type.

 

[paradigmshift]

Oh okay that helps, so I shouldn't buy SATA hard drives, only PATA.
Does PATA have any other synonyms, it will make it easier to search for what I need. I mead like IDE compatible or something...

 

[peterhuang913]

PATA is IDE or ATAPI or even regular ATA.
Here's a link: AT Attachment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[paradigmshift]

great! that is informative...
Now would you happen to know where on the net I could find information about how to "repair laptop hard drives"?
I mean are their books for this sort of thing or just experience?
I am no engineer or anything, but interested in buying cheap hard drives from ebay and seeing if I can repair them for my use.

 

[Kharn]

Hard drive repair at home is a no go, you need a TOTALLY clean an static free enviorment.

 

[peterhuang913]

Hard drive repair at home is a no go, you need a TOTALLY clean an static free enviorment.

Dust free too.