"I had the following disappointing experience and am posting here after no response from DriveSolutions. I suggest that notebook customers use Apricorn instead:

Using the DriveSolutions web-based drive selection menu, I selected my notebook, a Dell Inspiron 8200, and decided on the 100 Gb 7200 rpm drive and accessory EZ Upgrade kit that was recommended for my machine. This latter kit as received is the "mini" version without an external 5VDC power source.

Following installation of the 100 Gb drive in the adapter, I was unable to achieve a stable connection with either the native USB 1.1 ports on the 8200 or USB 2 ports on a PCMIA adapter. In the former case I received a Power Surge/reset warning from the system. I obtained the same diagnostic from the native USB 2 ports of my Dimension 8400 desktop. (I was only able to transfer my system using Ghost 9 to and then from an independent USB drive.) I subsequently observed that my old 40 Gb 5400 rpm Hitachi was similarly rejected from the 8200's USB ports in USB powered mode.

Confirming that this was not a fault in the drive kit they sent me, I cannibalized an old 5 V DC source with the appropriate power plug and found that the old 40 Gb drive works fine in the adapter on my ports provided it is first powered up externally.

I note on the Apricorn web site that they package 7200 rpm drives with EZ Upgrade kits that include an external power source! It greatly disappoints me that a single stop provider such as Drive Solutions would not have known that an older machine like mine with a power-demanding drive like these Hitachis, both 5200 & 7200, in fact required the external powered kit."

"They got my cc wrong twice, but cust sup fixed no prob. Shipped quick, installed w/o prob. very happy"

"We used this company to try and recover data from a physically damaged SD card. We were very saddened when the SD card that had taken over 500 pictures at our wedding rehearsal dinner and during the ceremony/reception was not readable (as it had been readable in the camera to look at the pictures during and right after the ceremony, but was unable to read them when we got home and tried to transfer them to a computer). After shopping around, we decided to send our card here so that "professionals" could see what they could do about recovering the lost pictures. Two days later, they recieved the card, and the next day they called to inform us that there was nothing that they could do. Their "top-of-the-line" software was unable to recover anything and they concluded it was physically damaged (which is the reason I sent it to them in the first place!). They said they were going to send the card back to me so at least we could get a new replacement card (it was still under warranty), adding "Hope there wasn't anything important on the card." This was rather cold and rude, considering that if these were throw-away pictures, we wouldn't be trying so hard to recover them.

Three weeks later, and we had not recieved the card in the mail yet. After many phone calls and never having them return calls after they said they were in the process of locating the card, they finally admit that the card was shipped out, but their "new" person in shipping failed to obtain a tracking number. At that point, the person on the phone said "We might have to bite it and hop on e-bay and grab you a new card to replace the damaged one."

I find this unprofessional attitude sickening. I had already made arrangements with another company with a clean room that was going to make another attempt at recovery, but I suppose that won't be possible since this company can't even do something as simple as return a card to it's owner."

"Purchased memory and hard drive upgrade for Sony laptop. Plus kit for cloning using USB 2. Products arrived promptly and worked well. Very pleased with this company. Did end up needing Norton Partition Magic in order to make new (larger) drive work."

"I had to replace the 30Gb HD in my HP Pavillion ZE4220 after it started sounding like a dying rat. I consulted the HP site which had little to no information regarding replacement, so I called their CS line and the operator (althought absolutely a sweetheart) had no clue about the dimensions, size limitations, or requirements for a replacement. All she could offer was how much it would cost me for THEM to fix it with a similar drive ($268-)....I stumbled on the site by accident and consulted reviews here (since I couldnt find any, anywhere else...lol) and made a go of it. I placed order on tuesday late at night, had my drive thursday afternoon (2nd shipping)....the part fit perfectly. I doubled my hd space from 30-60, i spent less than half of what it would have cost me to have HP fix it, and I am not so shy about opening my laptop lol.

On a related topic, I sent their hd expert an email prior to ordering, but I didnt feel like waiting for a reply and placed the order regardless, the following business day I got a reply with accurate info and confirming what I had suspected. Nice to know they mean business there."

"I must say that I am very impressed with this company. The price of the product was lower than anywhere else, the shipping costs were reasonable. But what impressed me most was the uncanny speed with which the processed my order.

Normally, I would expect an item such as this to be shipped the next business day, but this item was shipped hours after I placed the order. It was on my doorstep exactly 24 hours and 15 minutes after I ordered it. The drive was packed very well, in a sealed anti-static bag, surrounded by 3 inches of foam on all sides.

The drive works perfectly. I would highly reccomend this company to anyone seeking a replacement hard drive."

"My HP Pavilion ze1230's 20G HD died. Of course it's several months past 1 yr's mark. Checked on HP and found a 20G 4200 rpm HD costs $360. Then I found this company which listed a 40G 5400 rpm at $110. Based on reviews on this site, I thought "OK, just give it a try". Placed order at 2PM CST on Tuesday (day 1). S/H was $12 for 2 business UPS. Got confirmation e-mail within minutes. On the next morning (day 2), got the UPS tracking number. Received my HD on Thursday afternoon (today), in a very carefully packed brown box. The HD is a Toshiba 5400 rpm 40G one. After several hours, my lappy is up and running again. FYI, the company is in CA, and I am in Texas.
All in all, a very satisfied customer! Just want to share with everyone.

Update: 8/2/04 - Due to my own problem, I have to return this HD. After a single e-mail, got a RMA# w/o any problem. Sent in the HD, waited for 2+ weeks, got my money back (less S/H). Still a very pleasant experience. "

"I ordered a 40GB Toshiba HDD for my laptop. This company's price was low and its reputation was high. My order was filled and shipped in a timely manner and the HDD is now installed in my laptop. I would do business with this company again."

"The hard disk in my 3 year old Sony VIAO laptop was showing signs of imminent failure (long access times). I contacted Drive Solutions and ordered a replacement 20 gig hard drive and EZ-GIG cloning kit. Their prices were lower than the competition. I specified 2 day delivery. When the shipment arrived, it only took several hours to clone and replace the drive. The EZ-GIG cloning kit worked perfectly. Drive Solutions provided fast, friendly service with low prices. Also, their website is very easy to use and provides much usefull information."

"I needed a new hard drive for my laptop, and checked several different places. Since my hard drive had crashed, and I had a major presentation on Monday, I needed someone who, on Thursday, could ship the item and insure that it would arrive on Friday.

I ordered a Hitachi 7200RPM 60GB hard drive, and hoped for the best.

On Friday, the hard drive arrived incredibly well packed in custom foam. Also included was a pen and t-shirt (nice touch!). The hard drive works flawlessly, and I couldn't be happier with the purchase.

The only thing I would like them to change is for them to improve delivery of tracking numbers... I did not receive the tracking number for the package until Friday morning, which was the source of a little worry.

I called to update some information, and was immediately connected to the appropriate person. Their phone service was courteous and efficient.

I am impressed. I am always weary of purchasing from companies that don't have many ResellerRatings reviews, but in this case, I am glad I did.

Update (11/22/2004) - The drive died on me, so I called customer service. The lady answering the phone was very professional, and they are sending a new drive out today. I cannot express how happy I am at the way they handled this situation. Hitachi was unwilling to RMA the drive, even after talking to a manager, but Drive Solutions did so with no problem. I'm so glad I purchased through them!"

"This company did in fact send as promised and the package was packed expertly and my previous commentas were in anger at not having any real customer service feedback.

But the company did deliver as promised and the parts were correct."

"I ordered a laptop harddrive from them. Very cheap price, website was easy to use, and the harddrive arrived very quickly and was packaged as professionally as any product I have ever ordered. I will buy all my harddrives from them from now on!"

"I got quick and excellent support from their Drive Expert email option. The order was shipped quickly."

"No problems.
Got an e-mail notice confirming the order.
Got an e-mail notice when the item was shipped (included tracking info)."