What to do when replacing a hard drive. How to replace a laptop hard drive with an SSD solid state drive

On budget computers, even with a good processor and other components, manufacturers sacrifice speed for the sake of economy hard disk by betting on volume.

Replacing the HDD in a laptop with an SSD will speed up the computer and, if desired, you can get additional storage if you purchase a special adapter.

What you need to know

• Before carrying out the replacement, you can attend to the transfer of the system. If you are planning to install a new OS, then you can skip this point. Just drop important files to cloud service or a USB flash drive.
• If you want to change the drive while maintaining the system, then the new memory storage must be large enough to contain all the necessary information.
• If you have new laptop with a valid warranty, you will lose it after opening the laptop yourself.

How to keep a copy of Windows

When replacing an old HDD with a new SSD in a laptop, many users think about how to transfer the system to a new drive. For this, special programs from laptop manufacturers.

Some of them:

• Acer provides the "Acer eRecovery Management" utility;
• at Sony, the VAIO Recovery Center;
• Samsung has - " Samsung Recovery Solution 5 ";
• Toshiba satellite - "Recovery Disc Creator";
• HP Recovery Manager;
• Lenovo solution center;
• Have Asus program Backtracker;
• MSI Recovery Manager;

The list may grow over time. You can find and download new versions of programs from the official sites.

You can also use universal ones: Macrium Reflect Free, Macrium Reflect. They are supported on all Windows operating systems.

For each program there is detailed instructions on the developer's website, but basically all the functionality is the same: launch the program, choose what and where to copy, wait until the process is complete. After replacing the disk, you will see the desktop as it was.

We start replacing the hard drive

Below we will consider an example on replacing hard disk to SSD in Asus laptop... If your laptop is from another manufacturer, it's okay, the principle is always the same for most models.

Before proceeding with the disassembly of the laptop, be sure to turn it off and remove the battery. And when working, try not to touch the components on the motherboard with a screwdriver or hands, even the slightest scratch can damage it.

Getting started:

If you decide to put new system, then use Windows 7 or higher, Windows xp and Vista are not designed to work on an SSD drive and there may be a drop in write speed. Also, the 10 and 8 versions of the system are most optimized for working on a solid state drive.

Otherwise, after you have installed the SSD, the OS installation will be no different from the usual one.

What to do with an old hard drive

1) HDD storage can be set as additional storage data instead of a DVD drive. They have long lost their popularity and are practically not used.

To do this, you need a special adapter that is inserted into the drive seat. When choosing, pay attention to its height and width, since the dimensions disk drive depends on the thickness of the laptop itself. Also, the width of the adapter can also be different. The discrepancy between the dimensions will not hurt work hard disk, but if you are a perfectionist, then this disadvantage will get on your nerves.

Connecting a hard disk instead of a drive is not difficult, usually an instruction is included with the adapter and necessary tools... This way of using it will be optimal for replacing the hard disk without reinstalling the system.

2) Alternatively, you can buy an external case with a USB adapter and use the hard drive as a portable storage device.

As you know, even the best and highest quality things fail sooner or later. Computer hard drive is no exception. Also, in addition to problems, the reason for replacing the hard drive may be a lack of its memory. Whatever the reason why you want to change your hard drive, you will have to consider that replacing a hard drive is not exactly the same as replacing other components. personal computer... The hard disk contains the operating system, programs, and many personal user files... And if the situation with personal data is quite simple - it is enough to connect a loop and transfer data from one hard drive to another, then with the operating system and programs everything is a little more complicated. You can't just take them and copy them. But this does not mean at all that you will have to reinstall operating system and all programs. To transfer the system from one hard drive to another in Windows 7 there are standard means, with the help of which you can solve this problem.

Open the menu Start and go to Control Panel... Then go to the section Archiving and restoring and select the item System imaging.

In the next window, you will need to choose which device to save the archive to. It is best to save the archive to external hard drive or to a second internal hard drive.

Next, check the box for your system disk, on which the operating system and programs are installed, and in the next window, confirm the start of the operation with the button Archive... On average, the procedure for backing up a system to an image takes from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of information and the power of your computer.

Now it's time to replace the hard drive. When replacing the hard drive, make sure the computer is turned off and the power cord unplugged. After installing a new hard drive, boot from the installation Windows disk 7. Partition the new disk and format it with file system NTFS. Then abort the installation process and restart your computer without removing the installation disc. Now on the menu installation disk instead of installing, select System Restore.

In the next window, set the switch on the item Recovering your computer system using a previously created system image.

In the next window, confirm the system image details and click Further... Then again Further, and in the last window start the recovery with the button Ready... A warning window will appear informing you that all data will be overwritten with data from the system image. After you agree with the warning, the process of restoring the operating system from the previously created image will begin, after which the computer will automatically restart. Thus, using only the built-in tools of Windows OS, you can easily transfer the system to another drive, while retaining all your programs and personal settings.

HDD, like all computer components, may one day fail and then you will need it replacement... And there can be many reasons for this. Of course, I am not a good judge of these matters, but special knowledge is not required there.

Almost any repair there is reduced to a simple replacement of a failed unit. So, in order not to run around the workshops and not to cut off the phone in search of a visiting master, we will figure out how to do it ourselves.

Repair or replacement? Where can I buy?

A broken disc, depending on the situation, can, of course, be repaired. Surely in some workshop you will be provided with a similar one. But according to experts, the repaired hard drive still does not work for a long time. Therefore, it is better to buy a new one and replace it.

You should buy in a specialized store computer technology... There you are guaranteed to be sold an original and high-quality disc. The components also have a warranty.

What to consider when choosing?

The capacity and the manufacturer of the hard drive are irrelevant for the operation motherboard and processor. Capacity is important to the user. The larger the capacity, the more information will fit.

Carefully detach the cords that are attached to it. There are only 2 of them. It is not necessary to remember the location. Cords are of different sizes and connectors for them are different, so you will not get tangled and this will not become an insurmountable obstacle when replacing:

Carefully unscrew the bolts on both sides that hold the disc. There are usually 4 or 6 bolts, as luck would have it. Try not to lose them, because then it will be difficult to find the same ones.

Step 4: We take out the old disk. You can throw it away, or you can leave it as a souvenir. Everything is ready for replacement.

Mounting

Step 5: Remove the packaging from the new one. Gently insert it in place of the previous one. The sockets of the connectors should face towards the motherboard. We fasten the disk on both sides:

Step 6: Connect the cords according to the connectors:

Step 7: Gently dust the inside of the system unit. Cleanliness has never harmed anyone, and even more so a computer will be useful. A warning! Use soft wipes to wipe. You can brush away dust from the motherboard and video card with a soft bristle brush. Do not use a vacuum cleaner!

Step 8: Attach back the side panels. We fasten the bolts.

Step 9: We attach all devices to the system unit. We turn on the computer.

Step 10: Since the hard drive is new and therefore completely clean, you will have to reinstall the system. Usually, when connected, the computer itself will ask for installation. Insert the system disc and follow the instructions.

Unfortunately, if a hard drive breaks down, the data that was stored on it is almost impossible to recover. Therefore, if you are afraid to lose any important information, purchase an external hard drive.

This wonderful thing has the same properties as a regular (internal) disk. It communicates with a computer using a USB cable. Advantage external hard disk is that, trying to keep your favorite movies or music, you will not get stuck in heaps of CDs and DVD discs, and it is unprofitable to purchase such a number of flash cards.

How do I protect my hard drive from damage?

• Buy only high-quality components from well-known and trusted manufacturers. Only in specialized computer stores;
• Do not expose the hard disk to shock, high temperature and humidity;
• If you buy a disc in the winter, do not insert it right away, postpone the replacement. Let it sit for a while at room temperature;
• Do not remove software from your hard drive if you are not sure of its ownership;
• Install a good antivirus program;
• Do not install games and;
• It is undesirable to do too often defragment hard disk;
• To monitor disk performance and eliminate possible mistakes or use problems. It is very easy to download it on the Internet.

If you comply with these basic conditions then hard drive replacement, it may never be required, or at least will be postponed for a fairly decent time.

Good luck to you! See you soon on the PensierMen blog pages.

Many laptop owners face a problem when the operating system stops loading or freezes. Advanced users begin to reinstall Windows, but they fail, and the message about the missing hard drive is panic-stricken. What to do and how? Change the hard drive on a laptop? But what will happen to the data that is left on it?

Do not despair! If you do not have enough knowledge and skills to fix the breakdown yourself, then you can refer the device to specialists. They will be able to change the hard drive on a laptop in a short time. The price will be much higher, because you will have to pay not only the cost of the hard drive, but also the service for its replacement. It is possible that the foreman will charge a fee for diagnosing and finding problems. And if it is necessary to restore information, then this will also lead to costs.

Hard drives vary in capacity, speed, cache size, form factor, and interface. The main parameter is capacity, that is, the amount of stored information that can fit on it. Interface is a type of connector for connecting the hard drive to the motherboard. Form factor is size (for 2.5-inch laptops). The cache size is a place to store temporary information. And an important parameter is the speed of rotation of the disk, on which the speed of work depends.

When do you need to replace a hard drive?

The reasons for changing the hard drive may be the following:

• hard drive failure;
• lack of memory space;
• worn out disc to avoid breakage;
• slow speed of work.

How much does it cost to change the hard drive on a laptop?

If the replacement is made by a master, then the price will depend on the list of services that he will produce. It is necessary to immediately determine what kind of hard drive is required (with a large amount of memory or not), what speed of the hard drive is optimal, and also understand how much it is desirable to keep within. On average, the price of a hard drive starts at 2,000 rubles and can reach 20,000 and more. The cost of replacing it in Russia is 300-500 rubles.

Thus, changing the hard drive on a laptop can be inexpensive. However, it all depends on financial capabilities. Is it possible to change the hard drive on a laptop, and are there such services in the city? It is not difficult to find out about that, since now this information is available to everyone, and you can find a specialist in almost any locality.

Disassembling a laptop

How to change the hard drive on a laptop without the necessary knowledge? Everything is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. The whole procedure takes a maximum of 15-20 minutes. The first thing to do is turn the laptop over and unscrew the screws holding back cover... Depending on the model of the device, there may be several covers on the bottom. In this case, you need to know which one to unscrew, and where the hard drive is located. Before unscrewing, the laptop must be unplugged and the battery removed. Then wait until all elements have cooled down. The following will be an example of how to change the hard drive on an HP laptop.

Removing the battery

To remove the battery from an HP laptop, turn it over and flip the latch to the open position. Then lift the front edge of the battery and remove it from the laptop.

The battery is inserted in the reverse order: you need to insert the front part into the connector and press the inner edge until it clicks.

Removing the hard drive

After the battery has been removed, you need to unscrew the cover at the base of the laptop. A Phillips screwdriver is used for this. The screws holding the cover must be loosened. After that, the cover should be moved to the edge of the case, lifted and the tabs removed. Thus, it will be disconnected.

This is where the hard drive is located, connected by a cable to the board. This cable must be disconnected by pulling on the black tab. Then you can remove the hard drive from the bay. Then you should remove the hard drive cable and remove the rubber stoppers from its edges. Here you must remember that these rubber stoppers are different, and you must not forget in which position to insert them back.

The next step is to unscrew the four screws from the hard drive and store them so you don't lose them. Now you need to remove the transparent panel from the hard drive. When doing this, place the hard drive in an anti-static package.

Installing a new hard drive

First, you need to screw the hard drive to the panel with four screws that held the removed drive. In this case, the hard disk should be installed with the sticker facing down. Next, fix the rubber stoppers on it and connect the cable to the appropriate connector. Then the hard drive must be placed in a compartment on the laptop case and the cable must be connected to the board. Next, close the cover, tighten all the screws and put the battery back in place.

If you follow these instructions, even the most incomprehensible user will not wonder how to change the hard drive on a laptop.

If the hard drive was removed in order to repair it, then after fixing the problem, you can put it back in the same order. Remember that information on a failed hard drive can be recovered. But it is not recommended to do this on your own, as you can accidentally destroy all the necessary data. This should be done by a professional.

What to do with the old hard drive after changing the hard drive on the laptop to a new one? If it works, then it can be used as an external medium to retrieve or store information.

It is important to remember that new hard the disc does not contain an operating system and will have to be reinstalled. This can be done both independently and by contacting the service center.

Back up your data to your current hard drive. If the drive you want to replace is operational and you want to save some of the data on it, do backup before removing it. If you don't have an external USB drive to copy data, check out this article to learn how to create backups files online using OneDrive.

Get the full boot copy operating system. If you are replacing the primary hard drive and are not using the cloning software, you will need to install the operating system on new disc... Buy an OS on disk, download it to a flash drive, or create your own recovery media.

• If you are using Windows 10, please refer to this guide.