How to replace a HP notebook hard drive

If you need to replace the hard drive in your present HP notebook computer, this can offer you guidance and technical direction. For example, if an HP motherboard or power supply fails and you need to backup data on your hard drive, you may be better off purchasing a used HP notebook and just switching the two hard drives rather than trying to replace a computer motherboard or power supply. Here are some steps to get you started.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• HP notebook hard drive
• antistatic wrist strap
• HP notebook computer

1. Set up an antistatic work space. This may include wearing an antistatic wrist strap or just touching the cover of the HP notebook you are working on. Static can damage or erase hard drive data in a flash!

2. Gather the tiny screwdriver you will need to loosen the hard drive caddy in the HP notebook. Glasses tools might work. You may want to store the driver in your pocket until you need to use it to change out the hard drive.

3. Gently mark the old and new hard drives and computers (if applicable) with a felt tip marker so you can tell them apart when you change them between your HP notebooks.

4. Turn the tiny screw driver carefully on your HP notebook next to the hard drive caddy. This is often on the opposite side of the CD or DVD drive. Cautiously turn the screw driver so as not to strip the screws in the hard drive enclosure. Have the new hard drive ready and removed from the antistatic bag.

5. Gently pull the metallic color heavy plastic tab until the HP notebook hard drive releases completely after you have released both screws successfully. Place the screws in a sealed container or your pocket.

6. Grasp your replacement hard drive and slide it in the hard drive caddy carefully.

7. Boot the HP notebook to make sure it reads and recognizes the hard drive you replaced. If it does not, repeat the process.

8. Replace both screws and secure the HP hard drive in its place. You are now ready to use your notebook as always.

9. Test the hard drive to make sure it boots and powers up properly. In the future, you may need to install a version of Microsoft Windows, Linux, or another operating system on the computer.

10. Good luck! Leave your comments below.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a medicine bottle to place tiny screws in for safe keeping
• Reinstall all of the drivers for external devices if needed such as ipods, monitors, cameras and USB connected peripherals.
• Do not replace a hard drive in a notebook or any computer that is still under warranty.

Resources

• HP support, manuals, documentation & drivers

[mrchuck999]

on 7/25/2009 Great Article 5*. So many new computer users these days. They need lots of help.

[sonni57]

on 7/12/2009 Thanks for the details on replacing a HP notebook hard drive. I want another laptop mine got stolen.