The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    M1330 - Hard Drive upgrade from 120gb to 320gb

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Olive, Sep 23, 2008.

  1. Olive

    Olive Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    153
    Messages:
    84
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hi,

    I purchased my M1330 over a year ago, with an internal 120gb hard drive.

    I just purchased the HITACHI Travelstar 7K320 from NewEgg, since I'd like a both faster and larger drive.
    However, I am curious about the following:

    Right now, my hard drive is flush with the side of my laptop. It has a black trim on the side that is the reason for the flush side. It came this way from Dell. However, in purchasing the new hard drive, what can I do to make the side flush again, as well as the hard drive secure (dust, falling out, etc)? Can dell provide the part (side cover)?

    For your reference, you can notice the hard drive cover in this photo (far right of the laptop):

    [​IMG]



    Please help.

    Regards,
    Stanley
     
    Olive, Sep 23, 2008
    #1
  2. Rikimusha

    Rikimusha Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    13
    Messages:
    207
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    was that black trim part of the hd's form itself or a seperate piece apart from the laptop and the hd?

    hmm could you show me a pic of the laptop with the new hd installed
     
    Rikimusha, Sep 23, 2008
    #2
  3. Olive

    Olive Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    153
    Messages:
    84
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I just ordered the new hard drive, so I won't have it for a few days.
    In regards to the black trim, it is attached to the hard drive.
     
    Olive, Sep 23, 2008
    #3
  4. jnewell

    jnewell Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    104
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I put a 320gb WD into mine and it fits just like the OEM 120gb did.

    Just unscrew the trim from the existing drive and put it on the new one. Standard laptop stuff.
     
    jnewell, Sep 23, 2008
    #4
  5. Rikimusha

    Rikimusha Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    13
    Messages:
    207
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    oh forget what i said lol
     
    Rikimusha, Sep 23, 2008
    #5
  6. Olive

    Olive Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    153
    Messages:
    84
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Just looked on ebay - you can buy the side part separately, though I'll call Dell and see if they can offer it for free or cheaper.

    This is how the hard drive looks:
    [​IMG]

    This is the side part being sold (for $15-$18 - way too much)
    [​IMG]

    I'll wait and see how it looks with the hard drive this weekend - thanks jnewell.

    In regards to purchasing straight from Dell, I bought this one (with coupons) for about $110. Dell sells a comparable 320gb laptop drive between $175 and $400.
     
    Olive, Sep 23, 2008
    #6
  7. Olive

    Olive Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    153
    Messages:
    84
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I'll try that - didn't really come to mind. Thank for the help you two.
     
    Olive, Sep 23, 2008
    #7
  8. Rikimusha

    Rikimusha Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    13
    Messages:
    207
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    rep to jnewell
     
    Rikimusha, Sep 23, 2008
    #8
  9. tenderidol

    tenderidol Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    44
    Messages:
    390
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hard drives dont come with any trays, covers, etc etc. The part that you are mentioning is part of the laptop and is screwed to the HD. As jnewell said just remove that from the old one, put it on the new one, slide it in and put on 4 screws. It should take about a minute.
     
    tenderidol, Sep 24, 2008
    #9
  10. jnewell

    jnewell Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    104
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    $110 is a good price. Don't buy another cover!!! :)
     
    jnewell, Sep 24, 2008
    #10