20GB HDD from PCG-GR314MP OK in GR214MP?

[odyss]

Hi! Am hoping to use a 20 GB hard disk drive from a Vaio PCG-GR314MP (1.2 GHz, WinXP Pro) in a PCG-GR214MP (1.0 GHz). Any views of whether this is likely to work? Will I need to install additional drivers on the 214MP? Any comments welcome! Thanks.

[rich912]

Hi odyss and welcome to the forum.

As long as both hard drives are the same physical size you will have no problems. No additional drivers are required.;

[odyss]

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the prompt reply. Do you happen to know where I could find out about the drive size of both models? I am planning to buy the 214MP and am not able to measure the drive size before I buy. The 314MP I own, but to be honest I´m not a hardware expert and I'd rather not take the box apart myself, especially if I might then find that the physical sizes are different...

Thanks again!

Odyss

[rich912]

I can guarantee that they will be the same size, especially as they are from the same series.

The only difference in size with a notebook drive is the depth (9.5mm usually but very occasionally 12mm) but within any Vaio series they will be the same. Buy buy with confidence.

[odyss]

Good news! Thanks very much for your help, Rich!

[odyss]

Hi, acquisition of GR214 failed, so have my sights on a 315. Still no compatibility issues? Thanks!

[rich912]

No compatibility issues there odyss as I think that the standard drive in this model is 30 gig. It does puzzle me however why you don’t just buy a new hard drive – surely this would be the cheaper option at approx £50?

[odyss]

The reason is that the mobo on my old 314MP failed & now have its old 20GB HDD with important data & programs that I want to find a compatible s/h laptop for (too expensive to replace mobo&carry out other required repairs). Discovered that, yes, the standard HDD size on the 315MP seems to have been 30GB, but I just heard that the 315 even booted successfully from a 4GB HDD! So, I am reassured... Thanks again for your advice!

Odyss

[rich912]

Ahhh, now I understand. Best of luck with that.

[kee-lo_]

Maybe you could buy an enclosure for the drive and rescue your files?

Wouldn't cost more than £40