Where is the harddrive located - IBM ThinkPad 380ED

http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_Detail.aspx?DetailID=106&MenuID=24&LanID=0

The ECS P6STP-FL motherboard uses IDE (PATA) harddrives, and optical drives. (CD/DVD drive)

IDE 1 is for the Harddrive.
IDE 1 is the 40-pin connector that is closest to the Ram Memory slots.
(Only 39-pin are used, however)

IDE 2 is used for the optical drive/s.
IDE 2 is next to IDE 1, and is further away from the Ram Memory slots.

The IDE connectors on the motherboard, have a Cut-Out on one side. A small square cut-out.
This is for the Locating Lug, on the flat IDE ribbon cable's, connector.
This makes sure that Pin 1 in the motherboard connector, is lined up with Wire 1 in the flat IDE ribbon cable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PATA-cable.jpg

The Locating Lug shown in this example, is two 'ridges' that are separated. Some designs just use one solid block.

IF, there is no Locating Lug;
Look for the faint Red stripe, on the side of the flat IDE ribbon cable,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nappe.svg

This stripe denotes the side, that number 1 wire is on.
Motherboard installed in computer case, the red stripe on that flat IDE ribbon cable, goes DOWN.
Down towards the Bottom of the motherboard.

When connecting to the Harddrive, and there is no Locating Lug on flat IDE ribbon cable, the Red stripe goes towards the power cable connection.

This applies to the optical drive (CD/DVD drive), and Floppy Disk Drive.
(34-pins for a Floppy Disk Drive. Cable is smaller in width)

Now, there is a different method of connecting a Harddrive, or optical drive, in relation to the flat IDE ribbon cable.

Depends on if the flat IDE ribbon cable is a 40-wire cable, or an 80-wire cable. You can use Cable Select setting on Harddrive/Optical drive; OR you can just connect the Harddrive, or Optical drive the correct way,

http://mikeshardware.com/howtos/howto_connect_ide_hd.html

Is the Harddrive recognized in BIOS Setup?
If your question relates that the Harddrive is not recognized, post back in a Comment.

Also post the manufacturer ID information off of the Harddrive's label.

Example for one type of Western Digital harddrive;

WD800AAJB

Western Digital 80 GB harddrive, and IDE (PATA)

With this information I can find the Cylinders, Heads, and Sectors.
Then guide you in entering it in BIOS Setup, IF needed.

"Press DEL to run Setup"
Press the Delete key to enter BIOS Setup.

AS SOON AS you press the Power On button, start tapping on the DELete key.
Tap in 2 second intervals.
You will hear beeps. These are Stuck Key Error Code beeps, and it is YOU that is doing it. Ignore the beeps.

Best method for entering BIO Setup.
(The window of opportunity for entering BIOS Setup, goes by F-A-S-T! The above method will get you in)

Your problem statement leaves a hole in the time/space continuum.
Does not exactly state what your problem is

For additional questions please post in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5363591&CatId=3988

1) Remove ALL power. Remove the AC adapter (Charger) and Battery.

2) Remove the Keyboard.

3) Remove the Upper Cover. (Palm Rest Cover)

4) Remove the LCD Module. (LCD screen assembly)

5) Remove the harddrive in it's harddrive caddy.

6) Remove the harddrive from the harddrive caddy.

http://www.newircusers.com/aspire-one-ao531h-ba01-dv/

Scroll down a little, click on the title name -
Upper Cover Disassembly Flowchart

Scroll the page down. (Do not click on the Video Download thing. It's cr@p advertisement)

Buy, and use an ESD wrist strap. (Electro Static Discharge)
Connect the alligator clip to a good ground source.

[I connect to an unpainted surface, of an open, empty desktop computer case.
You can set a large metal serving tray, (Unpainted), on the table, and connect to it.
Or you can connect to a large metal knicknack. (Unpainted) ]

Use a multi-compartment container for the various screws you will remove. Label each compartment for the area the screw/s come out of.
If no multi-compartment container is available, you can substitute with a clean egg carton. Label each egg holder.

SOME screws look VERY similar to other screws.
Advise DO NOT mix them up.

If you scroll the main page down towards the Bottom, you can click on - Lower Cover Disassembly Flowchart, and see where the Harddrive is located.

(SSD Module.
Either the netbook comes with a Solid State Drive harddrive, or a SATA harddrive.
Where it states SSD Module shows the location of either type of harddrive )

Scroll towards the lower/middle of the page, and you can click on -
Replacing the HDD Module.

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

(I thought there were a lot of good articles on that 1 page, pertaining to your netbook, and that's why I posted it)

Regards,
joecoolvette

here is the detailed instructions for locating removing or replacing hdd from your computer https://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2400/en/sm_en/drives.htm

Yes I would take the Harddrive out of the SmartDisk FireLite external harddrive, and install it into an economical external enclosure.

Looking up reviews just now I know that it's a laptop sized harddrive that's inside.
(The Harddrive inside is 2.5 inches across in width. 2-1/2 inches)

I don't know however if it is an IDE or SATA unit.
But you will know once you get the case open, and view the Harddrive inside.

One example of a 2.5 IDE external enclosure,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1086960&CatId=2782

One example of a 2.5 SATA external enclosure,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3195233&CatId=2783

One example of an external enclosure that will support IDE or SATA harddrives that are 2.5,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7041055&CatId=2783


Regards,
joecoolvette

cooperbill78 these are the jumper settings for a Seagate Barracuda ATA harddrive,

http://www.seagate.com/images/support/en/us/u5_family_1.gif

As you can see the jumper should be on Pins 7 and 8.

Make sure the harddrive is plugged into the END of the flat ribbon data cable.

Pin 1 goes toward the power connection.

Some flat ribbon data cable's connectors have a Locating Lug on one side. A square protrusion, or two ribs.
This lug lines up with a cutout in the circuit board on the back of the harddrive.

If no Locating Lug is present, and/or no Locating Notch in the harddrive, make sure Pin 1 is towards the power connection on the harddrive.

On one side of the flat ribbon data cable is a faint red stripe. (Sometimes hard to see)
This red stripe is on the same side as Pin 1.

When installing the flat ribbon data cable, ensure that the red stripe on the cable, faces the power connection on the harddrive.

For further questions please post in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

The Verbatim external harddrive may be damaged beyond warranting repairing, either from you, or a professional computer shop.

Allow me to explain the construction of an external Harddrive, plus the Harddrive located inside the case, and what may have resulted from the fall.

Basic construction of an external Harddrive, (IDE or SATA)

1) Plastic external case. Also referred to as an External Enclosure. Usually comes apart in two halves.
2) Small circuit board located inside, with an interface that the Harddrive plugs into.
3) Harddrive. IDE or SATA. Can be a 2.5 laptop harddrive, or a 3.5 desktop harddrive that is used.

[A laptop harddrive is 2-1/2 inches across in width. A desktop harddrive 3-1/2 inches.
If you have the Verbatim Leather Wallet 640 External HarDDrive it has a 2.5 inch laptop harddrive inside. The harddrive is a SATA unit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SATA

View of an average 2.5 inch (Laptop) 640GigaByte harddrive,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5260951&CatId=2681

(The harddrive inside the Verbatim external harddrive enclosure, may not have a clear see-through cover to observe the internal workings )

The back end of the harddrive has contact pins. These pins line up with an interface.
The interface is a block with matching socket holes for the contact pins.
(Or more than one interface may be used)

The interface 'block' may be attached directly to the circuit board, that is inside the Verbatim external enclosure (Case), or may be attached to cables (Wires) that are then attached to the circuit board.

A) Point; The circuit board may have a crack. (Copper circuit trace is torn, or more than one)

[Circuit Board. Also known as PCB. Printed Circuit Board. Crude description of construction is a laminated board with very thin copper wires on it.
This information details out the construction of PCB's,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printed_circuit_board ]

If cracked the circuit board MAY be repaired. Finding the open circuit, (Broken circuit trace. 'Copper wire'), may be VERY tough.
The circuit board may be replaced. From the factory will cost $$$$, and perhaps the loss of information that is on the harddrive.

To my knowledge the needed circuit board is not sold to the average consumer. This would mean obtaining another like Verbatim 640GB external harddrive, and using it's circuit board.
Not feasible.

More feasible; The harddrive would be removed, an inexpensive external enclosure procured, the harddrive then installed inside, then the USB cable from the external enclosure is attached to a working computer, and personal information is then copied off.
(Hope you're not an English teacher, and reading the above, lol!)


B) Basic construction of a Harddrive:

1) Inside the hollow empty metal shell of the Harddrive are two motors.
The Spindle motor, and the Actuator motor.

There are 3 to 6 Platters inside the Harddrive. (Perhaps more in today's Harddrive's)
The Platters resemble CD or DVD disks, and are usually composed of metal or glass.
The Spindle motor drives the Platters.

EACH Platter has a magnetic media applied to it's top surface, and bottom surface.
The magnetic media is arranged in a pattern of 0's and 1's.
1 being ON, 0 being OFF.

(The magnetic media is arranged in Sectors and Tracks much like a CD or DVD disk)

The Read/Write Head arranges the magnetic media. The Write portion of the Read/Write Head does this. (The Read portion does as it implies. It reads the information on the Platter)

There is a Read/Write Head on the Top, and on the bottom surface for EVERY Platter.

When the computer is off the Read/Write Head is in a parked position, and away from the Platter.
When the computer is on, the Read/Write Head is 'hovering' right above the surface of the Platter.
The distance of the Read/Write Head to the surface of the Platter is VERY CLOSE.

The Read/Write Head is attached to an Actuator Arm. This arm swings the Read/Write Head back, and forth across the surface of the Platter.
(When operating, the Actuator Arm can swing the Read/Write Head back, and forth across the Platter at Hundreds of Times a Second!)

Point; If the Verbatim 640GB was plugged into your computer with the computer on, and then dropped, one or more Read/Write Heads could have crashed into a Platter. (Or Platters)
This would result in wiping off some of the magnetic media, and may have rendered the Harddrive useless.

I know. I'm just a ray of sunshine.

I would suggest removing the harddrive out of the Verbatim's case, and installing it into a matching external enclosure, to try to remove any needed data.
OR take it to a professional service that recovers information from damaged harddrives.

An external enclosure is cheap,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1086960&CatId=2781

This is to just check out the harddrive, and see if it's still functional.

For questions, or clarification to what I have stated please post in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

No, you do not need to remove the harddrive just because you want to install memory in your computer, unless the harddrive is in the way for ,
memory changement.Usually harddrive is located in that way so the memory wont be near the sometimes hot harddrive.
Hope this helped, Please vote!.

Just take the drive out and put it into a new enclosure would be your cheapest option to keep it portable

I label all my PSU's with a dymo label maker to try avoid the situation you just had (fingers crossed)

Or you could insert the drive into a computer that has a suitable interface eg. SATA or IDE

Your BIOS is looking for a drive to "boot" from and does not see your harddrive or CD-rom.

You may have a harddrive failure or bad drive controller.

One way to see is to load your operating system disc in your CD-rom and see if the computer sees the drive and boots up. If it boots, try to locate your "C" drive. If you can't locate the harddrive, it's a good bet it's damaged.

If the CD-rom doesn't boot, it is most likely a bad drive controller or cable.

install the new harddrive where you want to transfer your files and set tis jumper to slave and set the jumper of the other harddrive from where your files are located to master. when you open your pc you will two drives C: and D: open c: and locate your files and you can use the 'copy' or the 'move' command and select the drive where you want to put your files