How to Replace a Hard Drive in a Laptop

Laptops offer incredible mobility for your everyday needs. When something goes wrong or you want to make an upgrade, the task can seem daunting with the small space and tight internal areas of a laptop. Changing the hard drive is one of the more simple tasks to perform on your laptop.

1. First: Make certain you are free of static before handling the laptop

   A residual electrical charge, even an incidental one, can cause extreme damage to the sensitive components of your laptop. Before trying to handle the internal components of your laptop, make certain you are not carrying any static charge.

2. Second: Turn the laptop off and disconnect the battery

   Standard laptop warranties are void once the interior is opened; usually a seal is present that you must break to gain access. Once you have done this, begin the process by making certain the laptop is powered down and the battery is removed, to ensure that there is no residual charge.

3. Third: Unscrew the hard drive from the laptop and remove it

   Laptop hard drives are generally secured via external brackets or holding devices that require their screws removed and the bracket or holding device taken off. Special screwdrivers (such as a jeweler screwdriver) are sometimes necessary for the smaller screws used in laptops.

4. Fourth: Place the new hard drive in, secure the screws and turn the laptop on

   Make certain you have all parts completely reattached and all screws secured. Turn the laptop on to ensure proper function of the new hard drive.