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    Is WD Passport HD same thing as WD Internal HD?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by sfoanna, Jan 11, 2009.

  1. sfoanna

    sfoanna Notebook Geek

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    I have a bad (almost brand new) Seagate HD and need to replace it asap. I am a newbie.

    My cousin told me that I could open up a Western Digital Passport and it is the same thing as an internal HD that you'd buy in a box.

    Is that true? The Passports are cheaper than the internal HDs.

    I do have a SATA laptop (Lenovo T60).

    So if it can be done, what do I do? Would this work, or PLEASE make suggestions/corrections:

    1. Backup data
    2. plug in WD Passport via USB
    3. ghost (or clone) the existing Seagate to Passport via Seagate's software (I forget what it's called)
    4. Pry open the Passport case, remove WD HD and install in lappie.
    5. Take Seagate out of lappie (& figure out how to wipe data off) and return/exchange (purchased 6 months ago.)

    Is it that easy? There's gotta be something else.....

    My cousin swapped out the HDs at Thanksgiving.
    I still have the OEM Hitachi HD (80 gb), I guess i could just put it back in and then deal with the bum new Seagate.
     
    sfoanna, Jan 11, 2009
    #1
  2. wobble987

    wobble987 Notebook Virtuoso

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    not too sure what you're asking...

    but yes, the internal drive on the external drive is the same one as the internal drive that you put on your notebook. (if that makes sense...)

    im not sure why you want to go through all the hassle of buying an external drive just to pry it open and get the drive inside. you sure you can dissamble the drive? is it worth the risk and hassle?

    why not just buy the internal drive. im sure it is cheaper.
     
    wobble987, Jan 11, 2009
    #2
  3. Clutch

    Clutch cute and cuddly boys

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    You can get external HD cases that can be reused later so you do hot have to break it. I am planing on doing that in the summer.
     
    Clutch, Jan 11, 2009
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  4. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    I'm not sure if the drive you take out of the Passport will be under warranty, so keep that in mind.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jan 11, 2009
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  5. timsp8

    timsp8 Notebook Consultant

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    timsp8, Jan 11, 2009
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  6. Nankuru

    Nankuru Notebook Evangelist

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    If the Seagate is newish, isn't that under warranty?

    And I'd expect the bare drive to be cheaper than one in an external enclosure.

    WD passports are quite easy to open but they are rather flimsy so you need to be careful if you don't want to break it
     
    Nankuru, Jan 11, 2009
    #6