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    Dell Hard Drive Install Question

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by SPLASTiK, Jul 21, 2008.

  1. SPLASTiK

    SPLASTiK Newbie

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    Hey guys,

    I just acquired my first laptop, a refurb Vostro 1400. This laptop did not include a hard drive, so I ordered a 2.5" Seagate SATA internal.

    I open up the bay, pull out the caddy and stick the drive in there, then put the caddy into place and realize something is wrong... there must be something missing, there's nothing that connecting to the actual drive's interface.

    So I think I'm missing some kind of SATA connector? I looked around and found these: link

    Is this all I need? Are these a proprietary thing or could I just go to a random computer store and be able to pick up some generic connector?
     
    SPLASTiK, Jul 21, 2008
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  2. Forte

    Forte NBR's Supreme Angel

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    Um... was the refurb advertised to include a hard drive? Cause that would be a seriously bad mistake to make...

    There should be a connector that is already built in where the Caddy touches. Just to make sure your Caddy looks like this:

    http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1420/en/SM/hdd.htm#wp1054768

    The SATA connector in the ebay auction doesn't seem to be compatible with that sort of interface...
     
    Forte, Jul 21, 2008
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  3. SPLASTiK

    SPLASTiK Newbie

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    No, it wasn't direct from Dell and was advertised to come without a hard drive but with a caddy. It was a government refurb apparently.

    So there's supposed to be a connector built into the caddy?

    Here's the caddy mine was sent with: link
     
    SPLASTiK, Jul 21, 2008
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  4. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    Yeah, you are missing that connector.
     
    atbnet, Jul 21, 2008
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  5. Forte

    Forte NBR's Supreme Angel

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    Ah ok, yes, you are missing that connector. I'd say its safe to order the one in your link.
     
    Forte, Jul 21, 2008
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