Toshiba A105-S4104 and SATA2 HDD

[Henrique-S]

I'd like to buy a hard disk to a Toshiba Satellite model A105-S4104. This laptop is SATA 1 compatible (1,5Gb/s). However I’d like to buy a SATA 2 (3Gb/s) HDD and use it on other future machine.

I’ve done some research and I know this is possible with desktop machines and HDDs of 3.5”. This is, use a SATA 2 HDD on a SATA 1 compatible desktop. I’ve read this is possible by setting jumpers…

Is it possible with laptops? In other words, can I buy a 2.5” SATA 2 HDD to this Toshiba Satellite A105-S4104, and will it work? Are there those jumpers in this kind of 2.5” HDDs?

Could someone help giving detailed support to this problem?

Notebook’s support page
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais ... 1073768663

Notebook’s technical specification
http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content ... -S4104.pdf

Western Digital Scorpio Blue (WD3200BEVT)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.wdc.com/pt/products/products.asp?driveid=377

Samsung Spinpoint M7 (HM320II)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/ ... &ppmi=1159

Samsung Spinpoint MU-X (HM320JX)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/ ... &ppmi=1182

Seagate Momentus 5400.5 (ST9320320AS)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?l ... Page=Model

Seagate Momentus 5400.6 (ST9320325ASG ou ST9320325AS)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?l ... Page=Model

Seagate Momentus 5400 FDE.3 (ST9320322AS)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?l ... Page=Model

Toshiba (MK3255GSX)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.sdd.toshiba.com.tw/products_ ... 5%2c400rpm)&id=P_00000086
http://www3.toshiba.co.jp/storage/engli ... d25/55.htm
http://www.sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx?Pa ... 55GSXSpecs

Toshiba (MK3253GSX)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx?Pa ... ifications

Toshiba (MK3252GSX)
320 GB, 3 Gb/s, cache de 8 MB, 5400 RPM
http://www.sdd.toshiba.com.tw/products_ ... 5%2c400rpm)&id=P_00000028
http://www3.toshiba.co.jp/storage/engli ... d25/52.htm
http://www.sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx?Pa ... 52GSXSpecs

Thank you…

Attachments

satellite_A105-S4104.pdf

Toshiba specification

(445.75 KiB) Downloaded 912 times

[Henrique-S]

Anybody? =D

[BlackST]

Forward your post to Toshiba Support.

[Henrique-S]

unfortunately Toshiba Support doesn't work. I already tried it with no luck.

Anyway, I've got it from Seagate's and Western Digital Support:

WD's

Thank you for contacting Western Digital Customer Service and Support.

The same principle applies to both desktop and laptop drives. However, I would suggest verifying with the computer manufacturer if the laptop will support this type of arrangement. The reason for this is, that laptop manufacturers are very specific on their systems. But, from WD's point of view, there should be no issue when using a SATA 2 on a SATA 1 port, on a laptop, as long as it is jumpered correctly.

"However, I would suggest verifying with the computer manufacturer if the laptop will support this type of arrangement. The reason for this is, that laptop manufacturers are very specific on their systems."

Thank you for your reply.

From a personal point of view, I would stick with what is currently supported by the computer. I honestly am sorry you have encountered such a predicament with their support. Since the unit currently supports SATA 1, I personally would stick with the same. However, if you are certain that in the future you will need a SATA 2 drive, and would be willing to wing it on this one, I would say that theoretically, you should encounter no issues using a SATA 2 drive on a SATA 1 port as long as it is appropriately jumpered. I'm sorry I am unable to give you a definitive positive answer, but again, computer manufacturers can be incredibly specific when it comes to laptop computers.

Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Johnny H.

Seagate's

Henrique,

You ask :

1. " I'd like to buy a hard disk to a Toshiba Satellite model A105-S4104. This laptop is SATA 1 compatible (1,5Gb/s). However I’d like to buy a SATA 2 (3Gb/s) HDD and use it on other future machine. I’ve done some research and I know this is possible with desktop machines and HDDs of 3.5”. This is, use a SATA 2 HDD on a SATA 1 compatible desktop. I’ve read this is possible by setting jumpers… Is it possible with laptops? In other words, can I buy a 2.5” SATA 2 HDD to this Toshiba Satellite A105-S4104, and will it work? Are there those jumpers in this kind of 2.5” HDDs?

Regarding the jumpers; the jumpers for the Momentus models you are interested in, can be set, just as in a 3.5" drive, to 1.5 or 3.0.

2.Could someone help giving detailed support to this problem? Notebook’s support page http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais ... 1073768663 Notebook’s technical specification http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content ... -S4104.pdf

Desirable Seagate’s HDD models: Seagate Momentus 5400.5 (ST9320320AS) Seagate Momentus 5400.6 (ST9320325ASG ou ST9320325AS) Seagate Momentus 5400 FDE.3 (ST9320322AS) "


Laptop computers have 3 main issues to address:

1) Physical compatibility. Seagate laptop models come in 9.5 mm height, or approximately .374 of an inch. Verify what your computer can support and select a model that meets that maximum height requirement

2) Addressing capability; Most SATA laptop systems employ a 48-bit addressing system for data transfer between the operating system, BIOS, the system chip sets and the hard drive. 48-bit LBA addressing, increases the drive capacity limit to 144 petabytes. Hardware and software solutions are required from your O/S, BIOS and Chip Sets to enable the 48-bit address feature set. Some laptop BIOS are set with a manufacturers own limitations and contacting the manufacturer regarding maximum drive capacity is recommended.

3) System compatibility. Some laptop manufacturer's designs were somewhat proprietary and would only work on certain model disc drives. This means the manufacturer had designed a system that has requirements beyond the SATA ANSI standards as determined by the American National Standards Institute, (ANSI) committee. Again, contacting the manufacturer regarding maximum drive capacity is recommended.

We believe the drives you selected will present no physical problems but you will need to confirm that prior to making your purchase. You will need to contact Toshiba regarding capacity limits. Operation in 1.5 and 3.0 environments is no issue. We have included the specifications of the selected drives for your review.

And the Great Toshiba Support answered me:

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your recent e-mail for Toshiba.

We sell our HDDs(Hard Disk Drives) only to our OEM customers
such as PC manufacturers, system integrators, add-on kit makers
and so on,
and not sold to end users directly as a single unit.

After-sales service and support about HDD for end users are
available directly from our OEM customers(PC manufacturers)
and their authorized distributors and dealers.

If you want to replace HDD for your PC, please contact your
PC manufacturer(Toshiba PC support center in your country/area).

Please read FAQ
http://www3.toshiba.co.jp/storage/english/faq/index.htm

Somebody else?

Thank you all for helping...

[Doomer]

The only way to know is to buy and try
I recommend to buy drives which can be switched to SATA1 by jumpers or by software (That means you cannot buy WD because their 2.5" drives are non-switchable)