EccentricRichard

Oh, so if the connector size is different, I can't just plug it into my desktop? I'd presumably need to get a dedicated lead for the thing and plug it into another laptop?

The machine has never been connected to a printer in my ownership. Can I ask, do laptop drives conform to the PATA/SATA connector standard, such that I can connect them up to a PC?

Hello all - my ancient Vaio PCG-8Y3M has finally packed in and it's looking like the motherboard is the culprit. The cost of a replacement motherboard simply cannot be justified in light of the other issues the machine has, such as its broken screen hinges [the screen is held up with a metal bracket screwed into the case with suitably small screws!), cracked case, non-functioning CD drive and so on. I intend to buy a new laptop in time, but I'd like to get a second-hand machine, out of warranty, with which I can tinker with impunity. Does anyone know if there is any difference between this machine and those of other brands, or even with the newer VAIOs, in terms of the connection between the hard drive and its caddy, or the caddy and the motherboard? Can I just plug the drive into any old machine, VAIO or not? The drive, for what it is worth, is a Seagate Momentus 5400.3, 160GB. These may well seem novice questions to the more experienced members of this forum, but I'd like to learn rather than go making silly and potentially expensive mistakes.