HP Laptops No Longer Enable Consumer to Replace Hard Drive

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  1. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #21

    This likely depends on whether the device is slim design or not. My ASUS laptop has one oversized panel that allows drive and RAM access. It has a 17 inch screen and dual drive bays though. It's only 3 screws to open that panel up. My wife's Acer though is very slim and I have to remove the whole back/bottom cover. A dozen plus screws. Then remove the keyboard and top cover/touch pad to get to the drive bay. It's on top of the motherboard. Some screws are longer than others so I have keep track of what screw came out of what hole. It was a major pain putting an SSD in it.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
    Thread Starter
       #22

    RWOne said:
    I'm sorry that you're upset about having to remove the bottom panel to get at the RAM, and possibly other components, but to be fair, its been that way for a couple years already for most of the main OEM mainstream systems.

    some are great, a lot o fDell systems you only need to do the screws of the back panel, then spudger it off, some need the KB off as well before granting access.

    But it's just a new skill, once you have done it a few times it becomes second nature, go further and you can be comfortable getting at anything you need to get at ... :)
    I've been building desktops for more years than I care to remember; I've been changing out components such as hard drives, coin type batteries, regular batteries and RAM, etc. in laptops for many of those years. I know what I'm doing when inside a computer. Further, I'm smart enough to know that this particular job isn't something to be taken on lightly.

    What stops me isn't that I can't figure out how, but the fact that I don't seem to be an Authorized Service Provider, so if I should mess up, my warranty will be voided. And even if my computer is past warranty, it's still in good shape, so there's no way I'm going to mess around with humpty gazillion screws, several cables, removing the motherboard, USB Board and a few other things including the top and bottom panel. It isn't a matter of just removing the bottom panel, and replacing RAM and a hard drive! If that were all I had to do, it would have already been done.
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  3. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
    Thread Starter
       #23

    alphanumeric said:
    This likely depends on whether the device is slim design or not. My ASUS laptop has one oversized panel that allows drive and RAM access. It has a 17 inch screen and dual drive bays though. It's only 3 screws to open that panel up. My wife's Acer though is very slim and I have to remove the whole back/bottom cover. A dozen plus screws. Then remove the keyboard and top cover/touch pad to get to the drive bay. It's on top of the motherboard. Some screws are longer than others so I have keep track of what screw came out of what hole. It was a major pain putting an SSD in it.
    Yup, Alpha, that's what it will take to install an SSD into this one too, and then some. Mine seems to be even more complicated than your wife's!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #24

    Wynona said:
    Yup, Alpha, that's what it will take to install an SSD into this one too, and then some. Mine seems to be even more complicated than your wife's!
    Yeah, I had to unplug the ribbon cables for the keyboard and trackpad. Plugging them back in straight without damaging them was the painful part. Even with all the screws removed I think I still had to pry the back cover off. All those snap fit tabs, or what ever you want to call them. Some manufacturers like to hide screws under the rubber feet or a sticker too.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #25

    Hi there

    I've had a number of HP laptops -- I agree the ultra slim ones probably can't change anything without you probably breaking it - but they come with decent internal SSD.

    The previous one I had (was also quite recent) was an HP Envy. You needed to undo the battery as well. Then there was a silly TINY (easily breakable --I know I broke TWO of them) connector from the Mobo to the SATA connector HDD / SSD -- unlike the Sony Vaio laptop where the new HDD /SSD just plugged directly into the proper sized connector in an easily accessible Disk bay. If you do break the connector there's an HP part number --you might have to wait a week while it gets shipped from CHINA !!!!

    If the back opens easily enough it should be do-able but watch out for those funny special connectors to connect HDD/SSD to the SATA connector on the Disk.

    My current ultra thin Envy also has a removeable back but I doubt whether I would DARE to open it -- The performance is just fine so I'm leaving it alone.

    Note - some Laptops will also require you to disconnect the Panel - although with care that can usually be "got round". Have PLENTY OF LIGHT and sometimes a decent magnifying glass (with light) is worthwhile -- I like also those "Surgical doctors" glasses for seeing really small bits on the Mobo -- but that is a bit overkill for most situations.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #26

    My ASUS laptop has dual drive bays, but they don't put a second drive carrier or caddy or what ever you want to call it in? You have to hunt that part up on the ASUS support site. Even then, it doesn't come with any mounting screws. I'm referring to the ones to mount the caddy in the laptop, not the ones to mount the drive to the caddy. Two different sized screws. I had to dig through my junk bin or screws from old laptops to find some that fit, and save another order and delay.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
    Thread Starter
       #27

    alphanumeric said:
    Yeah, I had to unplug the ribbon cables for the keyboard and trackpad. Plugging them back in straight without damaging them was the painful part. Even with all the screws removed I think I still had to pry the back cover off. All those snap fit tabs, or what ever you want to call them. Some manufacturers like to hide screws under the rubber feet or a sticker too.
    Yes, the instructions says to remove the screws beneath the rubber feet. That's why I couldn't get it off the first time I tried without reading 'structions.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 70
    Windows 10 Home
       #28

    The HP laptops I have worked on are very easy to disassemble
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  9. Posts : 1,323
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       #29

    Wynona said:
    Which one would you choose?
    Good question.
    Model? Size?
    I don't have any specifics in mind but generally something high(er) end.
    One not so big up to 15' but that's just me. I've had a first laptop as a 17.3' one (big move from the desktop) but the battery was't capable with such mothership.

    In the end it should be a laptop with easy access, if possible, not only to the HDD, RAM but fan(s) as well since we'll need to get rid of some dust from time to time -> ideally no fans at all: passive cooling begins silently to emerge.

    If all we can get are models without access to the parts, then it has to be something already acceptably upgraded from the start but the price will talk louder in this case.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
    Thread Starter
       #30

    Greenguru said:
    The HP laptops I have worked on are very easy to disassemble
    You wanna come disassemble it for me, then? :)
      My Computer


 

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