How to intstall a new hard drive on a laptop

[mahalo]

Hi,

My hard drive on my laptop is totally messed up, and I have been told that I need a new hard drive cause the one I have is "FUC*ED UP".

Does anyone know if this is hard? I kind of know my way around desktops, but I have never done anything with a laptop.

Any good suggestions for sites where I can get directions?

Thanks!

[hapoo]

the degree of dificulty all depends on your laptop. On some the hard drive is very easy to access, just a screw away... on others the hard drive is somewhere in the middle of laptop meaning you have to take apart the entire thing.

[mahalo]

Hmmm,

That's not good news. I guess that I will open it up and pray that it will be easy. Thanks for the info though :)

Does anyone know of any good sites that could walk me through the process? Or has anyone does this before?

Thanks again.

[Jeffbx]

What kind is it (make & model)?

[topane]

You should be able to get a compatible drive for your notebook. Most newer laptops have a hard drive which slides out after removing a screw or two. Check your notebook vendor's site to make sure your new drive's specs are OK. It's almost as easy as installing on a desktop. One thing to watch out for is whether or not your notebook allows both a floppy and cd-rom drive at boot time (w/o special drivers). On my old Dell, I didn't have a cable to run the floppy externally, so i had to burn all my drivers to a CD.

[andyy]

When installing the new hard drive into a laptop you need to be very careful since many of the connections are pretty much plastic with metal connectors on it. When I replaced my laptop hard drive, I used tweezers to remove and reconnect these connectors.

I would refer to your computer manufactuer's website for specific instructions on how to access your hard drive. Just be very careful!

[unnamed]

be careful if you have to take it apart too much, i've heard about people ripping connectors out on accident and having to take them in for repairs.

[Grimm]

You didn't say what model and make you have. I know that Toshibas aren't that hard, but they are the only ones I have changed a hard drive on.

[aglio412]

i've changed the disk in a fujitsu, toshiba and dell...all fairly simple. gotta be a little more careful with the wiring n' such, not as durable as IDE/SCSI cables. other than that...not a huge deal...well actually...with the fujitsu i had to 'doctor' the mounting plate b/c the screw holes on the drive didn't match the holes on the plate...just some minor drilling though.

should definitely post the make model...surely someone here has dealt with it before.

[redenergy]

There is 2 major hard drive installation style for laptops. Dell are oem from compal inc., most of them are removeable hard drive, easy and simple. Compaq OEM from Mitac Inc. they are not that easy you can look at the back of the laptops there should be about 6-7 screws at the bottom; take them out, remove the cover case from the arm rest toward south and you should see the harddrive on the left or right side. Fujitsu and Toshiba is pretty easy. Let me know what is the model it might be easier if we know that.