hard drive compatibility ata-4 vs ata-6

Soyfu · Mar 14, 2005, 10:59 PM

Q:
Are ATA-6 drives backward compatible with ATA-4 drives?

I need a replacement for this exact model of hard drive (Hitachi DK23BA20):
http://www.compuvest.us/ProductDetai...roductID=69721

...but for that price ($67 +S&H) I can get a bigger faster drive. The catch is that it seems all new drives use ATA-6 while my old drive (DK23BA20) uses ATA-4.

The ATA-4 drive uses a 44-pin connector but I haven't found much information on ATA-6 pin count.

Judas · Mar 15, 2005, 03:14 AM

yes.. they are backwards capabitible... (i've yet to run into one that doesn't work)

HOWEVER, some older boards will not recognize anything over 37 or 137gb in size...

Check with your manufacturer of your computer or motherboard to see if there is support for larger drives or not. Could be a update that you could download and install as well...

The_Neon_Cowboy · Mar 15, 2005, 03:29 AM

Also ATA uses 40 wire but you'll never get ultra ATA speeds unless you use a 80 wire looks the same, same connectors and all that, just has more and smaller/finer wires... it will say ATA 133 cable and that what you want to buy or pick up...

Judas · Mar 15, 2005, 04:10 AM

ATA 66/100/133 (any one of those) requires 80 conductor 40 pin cable.

ATA 33 or CD-ROMs don't require anymore then that..

however, i've seen plenty of ATA66/100/133 drives fine with the 40 conductor 40 pin cable... just a bit slower...

Soyfu · Mar 15, 2005, 05:27 AM

Be advised, I'm talking about notebook hard drives. It sounds like you guys are talking about standard desktop hardware.

PangingJr · Mar 15, 2005, 05:57 AM

i'd suggest you locate the exact notebook brand's support forums or newsgroups, just to be sure, if you couldn't find anything at all that might help you, direct your questions to them, also ask them what you'll get from the newer drive, instend of, just questioning about the cable/connector...
btw, what's the notebook brand and model ?
i didn't read the link you posted, so don't know if that already answer my question.

Judas · Mar 15, 2005, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soyfu

Be advised, I'm talking about notebook hard drives. It sounds like you guys are talking about standard desktop hardware.

lol.. whoops.... totally missed that.... was getting a bit tired then...

sorry..

i'm not help.. i haven't much of any experience with notebooks..

Necrosis · Mar 15, 2005, 09:42 AM

Ha sweet I just replaced this same drive!! What brand/model is your laptop? I replaced mine because I wanted a faster drive /w more storage.

Soyfu · Mar 15, 2005, 11:22 PM

What are the chances...

It's a Compaq 7100 (I think it's 7100... I don't have it with me). So you had success with upgrading to an ATA-6 drive? Same 44 pin connector?

Judas, no worries.

Necrosis · Mar 16, 2005, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soyfu

What are the chances...

It's a Compaq 7100 (I think it's 7100... I don't have it with me). So you had success with upgrading to an ATA-6 drive? Same 44 pin connector?

Judas, no worries.

My laptop is a Compaq Presario 705us.

Here is the hard drive I've upgraded to.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...146-036&depa=0

It was 115.00 when I bought it though.

Soyfu · Mar 16, 2005, 05:06 AM

7200RPM!!!

damn, man! nice work

I'm looking at the 40gb, 54000rpm Hitachi for $70.

PangingJr · Mar 16, 2005, 03:24 PM

here're a few forums that you might be able to find the info you want to know if you can't get it here.

Compaq Forums and Communities
http://www.thegrimes.com/images/resu...rumenglish.htm

Notebook Forums > Compaq/HP
http://notebookforums.com/forumdispl...0&daysprune=-1

Notebook Mods and Upgrades @ NotebookReview.com
http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/default.asp

Soyfu · Mar 19, 2005, 07:17 AM

Cool. From what I read on one of those forums, this should be a plug and play.

http://notebookforums.com/showthread...ighlight=ata-6

Mar 14, 2005, 10:59 PM	#1
Soyfu DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MA, USA Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	hard drive compatibility ata-4 vs ata-6 Q: Are ATA-6 drives backward compatible with ATA-4 drives? I need a replacement for this exact model of hard drive (Hitachi DK23BA20): http://www.compuvest.us/ProductDetai...roductID=69721 ...but for that price ($67 +S&H) I can get a bigger faster drive. The catch is that it seems all new drives use ATA-6 while my old drive (DK23BA20) uses ATA-4. The ATA-4 drive uses a 44-pin connector but I haven't found much information on ATA-6 pin count.

Mar 15, 2005, 03:29 AM	#3
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	Also ATA uses 40 wire but you'll never get ultra ATA speeds unless you use a 80 wire looks the same, same connectors and all that, just has more and smaller/finer wires... it will say ATA 133 cable and that what you want to buy or pick up... __________________

Mar 15, 2005, 05:27 AM	Thread Starter #5
Soyfu DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MA, USA Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Be advised, I'm talking about notebook hard drives. It sounds like you guys are talking about standard desktop hardware. __________________ Everybody! Everybody!

Mar 15, 2005, 11:22 PM	Thread Starter #9
Soyfu DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MA, USA Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	What are the chances... It's a Compaq 7100 (I think it's 7100... I don't have it with me). So you had success with upgrading to an ATA-6 drive? Same 44 pin connector? Judas, no worries. __________________ Everybody! Everybody!

Mar 16, 2005, 05:06 AM	Thread Starter #11
Soyfu DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MA, USA Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	7200RPM!!! damn, man! nice work I'm looking at the 40gb, 54000rpm Hitachi for $70. __________________ Everybody! Everybody!

Mar 15, 2005, 05:57 AM	#6
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	i'd suggest you locate the exact notebook brand's support forums or newsgroups, just to be sure, if you couldn't find anything at all that might help you, direct your questions to them, also ask them what you'll get from the newer drive, instend of, just questioning about the cable/connector... btw, what's the notebook brand and model ? i didn't read the link you posted, so don't know if that already answer my question.

Mar 15, 2005, 09:42 AM	#8
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Ha sweet I just replaced this same drive!! What brand/model is your laptop? I replaced mine because I wanted a faster drive /w more storage.

Mar 16, 2005, 03:24 PM	#12
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	here're a few forums that you might be able to find the info you want to know if you can't get it here. Compaq Forums and Communities http://www.thegrimes.com/images/resu...rumenglish.htm Notebook Forums > Compaq/HP http://notebookforums.com/forumdispl...0&daysprune=-1 Notebook Mods and Upgrades @ NotebookReview.com http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/default.asp

Mar 19, 2005, 07:17 AM	Thread Starter #13
Soyfu DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MA, USA Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Cool. From what I read on one of those forums, this should be a plug and play. http://notebookforums.com/showthread...ighlight=ata-6 __________________ Everybody! Everybody!