SSD to HDD - how risky is it?

I have an A110Aw which I have had for about 5 months. I replaced Linux with XP, and although it has been running fine, I could do with something faster and with more storage. I have read the posts about replacing the SSD with a 1.8" HDD with interest. I have built desktop PCs before so am happy in principal to mod, but feel nervous as quite a lot of people have tried the mod only to find it not working. I have seen the following on eBay UK:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0413906934

Toshiba MK3008GAL. The article says it is for an ASUS EEE but am sure it would work in the AAO?

This would be quite a cheap upgrade (I would also up the memory to 1.5GB at the same time). But am nervous about the risks. Could someone answer the following questions please:

- Would the above HD work?
- Would I need a new ZIF cable or could I re-use the one from the SSD?
- Would I need to mod the case to fit the drive?
- What are the chances of it not being recognised/work within the AAO?

The last point is key for me really as I cannot really afford to waste money, but don't really want to buy another netbook when in all other respects I am happy with my AAO! I have seen the 160GB HDD model in Tesco for £229 and was tempted, but this would be far cheaper... if it works?

Any thoughts or feedback appreciated!

Thanks,
Wayne

 

I bought one of these "refurbished" MK3008GAL drives from ebay. These are typically salvaged from broken iPod 5Gs and the drive that I got was obviously faulty. Your mileage may vary.

Check out completed auction prices for the A110 on ebay and bear in mind that you can pick up a Grade A1 refurbished A150 with Linpus, 1GB RAM and a 120GB HD from Laptops Direct for £160.

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/asp/vers ... sion&page=

 

They do a brand new drive for about £10 more, but the refurbished option is interesting as I could always sell on my current AAO.

Hmm... decisions.

Many thanks.

 

Hello,

it put a Samsung Spinpoint N1 in my A110L and it works fine. I never disassembled a Notebook or Netbook before, but there are good tutorials on the net and everything went fine. It was easy to find the drive, but hard to find the appropriate cable. There are ZIF cables with blue ends (.35 mm 'thick') and others with white ends (.25 mm). The ZIF connector on the AA1's motherboard requires a blue end while most 1.8" drives demand white ones. ZIF cables are rare to find, those with mixed end are really hard to find. Be shure to find one of those before you spend money on the drive.

 

I also put in a Samgsung Spinpoint but I used the existing ZIF. I just had the sand down the blue backing to get it into the drive. Not hard at all the performance is very nice.

Damon