xp install to laptop hdd problem

thecrow · 02-08-2004, 05:48 PM

does a laptop hdd plug and play exactly like a desktop hdd? i recently purchase a hitachi travelstar 20G (4200rpm) for use on a desktop (carputer project but still 'on the desk' stage), i have the 3.5 to 2.5 converter and i have hooked it up correctly with a cdrom cable (instead of those thinner ata133 cables). i am unable to install windows xp (or any os) to it. the bios recognizes it but the install programs cannot continue after formatting the drive. with a desktop drive i am able to bring it straight from the store, hook it up to the comp and when windows xp install loads up it will write a partition, format and install. is the laptop hdd suppose to act this way as well? or do i need to do some manual config in the bios to accomodate for a laptop drive? i have no experience with laptop hardware at all, but i'm proficient with pc desk top stuff. perhaps i have a faulty drive? please let me know what steps you took to install a laptop hdd! thanks in advance!

LESLIEx317537 · 02-08-2004, 05:54 PM

SOunds strange. Should act like a regualr drive.

Have you checked the jumpers?

thecrow · 02-08-2004, 06:01 PM

wow fast help here

if you are talking about the drive, then i have no jumpers set because that means device 0. having a jumper can make it either device 1 or cable select which shouldn't matter to the os in either case. there are no other options on the drive unlike other desktop hdd's i've seen. the computer i'm working on has installed xp onto a desktop hdd with no probs. so in your case you just put the laptop hdd in, bois recognizes it, boot up with the cdrom and it did the rest?

LESLIEx317537 · 02-08-2004, 06:02 PM

thecrow · 02-11-2004, 10:49 AM

i got my laptop hdd checked and it's operating fine. i think my adaptor may be the cause of the problem. i got this used so i'm not sure if the previous owner did a soldering job of their own to fix something (this is NOT a homemade adaptor though!). can anyone give me a big picture of their adaptor or a wiring diagram on how these pins are suppose to be setup? the adaptor i have doesn't have a casing so you can clearly see the circuits. a picture of both sides of a similar unit is much appreciated!

currently the computer i'm testing on is a desktop with a desktop hdd on ide 0. right now when i plug up the adaptor to an ide cable (on ide 1) and the 5v connector to the molex plug the ide 0 hdd doesn't spin up. i'm thinking it might be a short? the laptop hdd isn't even plugged up to the adaptor yet. even when i do plug the laptop hdd to the adaptor the ide 0 drive still doesn't spin up but the laptop hdd does. so i heavily suspect the adaptor. thanks for all the help!

LESLIEx317537 · 02-11-2004, 07:06 PM

CompUSA sells them for 6 buks.
I suggest you try a new one if you are close to the store.

mrspiff1986 · 06-15-2005, 01:08 AM

hey

i have the exact same problem same drive type travel star 20 i am on my second canverter and i got sick of it and now am looking for help so,... no its not your converter its the bios not being able to read it correctly or, the drive jumpers and mine does have a 4 pin block for jumpers directly next to the cable pins
my next step is to bum a friends laptop and stick my drive in his cradle then install hte os tehn swap it back if you have alredy tried this let me know not to waste my time
good luck

thanks
- robert
mrspiff@gmail.com

CentroniX · 06-15-2005, 12:16 PM

Do you have both the hard drive and the CD-ROM on the same IDE channel?

The Seagate I borrowed out of a Dell Laptop has no master/slave jumpers either, and it will only run by itself on an IDE channel. XP did the exact same thing your saying when they were on the same channel: recognized the drive, formatted it, then errored out.

Just a thought...

mrspiff1986 · 06-15-2005, 03:37 PM

yeah its alone on the channel