laptop HD question

[MultiGroup]

good day to you all!

I have an older laptop (toshiba 2500cds) which has been collecting dust for a while now! but will be handing it over to my brother for school.

Currently the laptop has a 2GB HD (WOW) I know! and as far as I know it can only handle up to a 10GB if we get a new HD for it (installed internally). Now, I came across a 30GB for a decent price and was wondering if it would work the same using this as an external HD.

Would the system recognize the 30GB if we put it in a caddy and just plug it inton the USB port? or it just wouldn't work?

The laptop has W2K installed.

Thanks!

[allannabas]

if you can fit the new HD into the usb enclosure you should be able to use it unless the drive pulls too much power from the usb port.

[MultiGroup]

thanks!

but lets say when I plug the drive on the usb drive would it recognize it as an "external drive" eventhough its 30gb and it can only handle a 10gb internally?

[rcvalencia9]

I think it can. Just buy a good enclosure that doesn't need external power for portability. I have a 40 GB external HDD(enclsured). Your USB Ports are USB 1.0/1.1 right? I don't know if USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 have the same power output? Mine is USB 2.0

[MultiGroup]

I already have the enclosure and it does not need external power as it is for a 2.5" HD, and yes the USB port is a 1.1 (older laptop).

So it should be ok?

[rcvalencia9]

It will be OK. I think there will be no problems with the power it needs USB 1.1 and 2.0 has the same power output as I stated awhile ago. If I'm not mistaken its 5v.

[MultiGroup]

My main concern is that it will be able to handle the HD, as stated before it can only handle up to a 10GB internally...but this one is a 30GB or 20GB if I am not mistaken.

Would this be ok though?

thanks for all your help!

[rcvalencia9]

You're not putting your Hard Disk to an IDE Controller It's through USB. Even if the BIOS limits the hard disk lesser than 30GB.

Why not try and see what happens. It will not mess things up.