How to Replace HDD in Toshiba

The hard disk drive (HDD) in your Toshiba laptop is the component that holds all the files and folders you use. If you are running out of room on the hard disk drive because of all the programs you have installed, it may be time to replace it with a new one that has a larger capacity. Replacing the hard disk drive on a Toshiba laptop is a fairly straightforward and simple process, as you only need to remove one other component to be able to reach the hard drive.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Operating system recovery disk
• Screwdriver

1. Save a backup copy of any file or program that you will need from the original hard disk drive to an external device such as a CD-RW or USB flash drive.

2. Shut down the Toshiba laptop's operating system completely. Disconnect the power cable if it was plugged in and then close the top screen lid. Flip the entire unit over so that the bottom end of the laptop case is facing towards you.

3. Hold down the release latch for the Toshiba laptop's battery. Slide the laptop battery out of the case and then put it aside. Locate the screw at the upper-left corner of the case that holds the CD or DVD drive into place.

4. Remove the screw and set it aside. Grab the edge of the CD or DVD drive and then pull it away from the Toshiba laptop case. Set the drive aside.

5. Remove the four screws holding the large square plastic cover over the hard disk drive at the lower left end of the laptop case. Lift the square plastic cover off the laptop case and set it aside so that you can see the metal plate that covers the hard disk drive.

6. Take out the screws holding the metal plate in place. Lift the metal plate out of the case and set it aside. Remove the two screws at the top edge of the hard disk drive and then the two screws at the bottom edge of the hard disk drive.

7. Disconnect the hard drive from the motherboard by sliding it out towards you. Lift the hard disk drive out of the case and set it aside. Push the new hard drive into the open slot and then reconnect the four screws.

8. Set the metal plate back on top of the new hard disk drive and then attach its screws. Put the plastic cover on and reattach the cover's screws. Slide the CD or DVD drive back into its port and then reconnect the screw.

9. Put the battery back into the Toshiba laptop. Turn the laptop over and open up the screen. Power the computer on. Insert the recovery disk that came with the Toshiba laptop into the CD or DVD drive.

10. Follow the operating system installation instructions that will appear on the screen. Transfer the backup copies of the files you saved earlier from the external device to the new hard drive.

Tips & Warnings

• Electrostatic discharge can completely destroy your new hard drive or even the motherboard on the Toshiba laptop. Make sure to always ground yourself before touching any internal laptop components by grabbing onto a metal object that is solidly connected to the floor.

References

• Replacing the hard drive in a Toshiba laptop