Laptop hard drives - Can I change it easily?

ERU · May 23, 2009, 01:15:21 AM

I got a Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18L laptop and was wondering if I can upgrade my internal HDD? Is it just a case of swapping the unit out for a new one? Ive had the thing in pieces today fixing the power and SD-Card reader - so I have no worries about actually doing it. I just wanted to know if it was like buying a desktop drive? Will things like power become an issue? Do I have to stick to certain models for compatibility?

Eggtastico · May 23, 2009, 06:49:00 AM

some thicker drivers 13.5mm may not fit. most are9.5mm these days
and shouldnt cause a problem as long as the bios supports it

ERU · May 23, 2009, 10:33:27 AM

Any ideas how I find out if the BIOS will do it?

Eggtastico · May 23, 2009, 10:49:13 AM

Quote from: ERUAny ideas how I find out if the BIOS will do it?

depends on laptop age

I would assume your laptop is new enough to support everything available today.

I would assume it being sony - then it would need to be a 9.5mm in height
13.5mm are quite rare these days anyway.

ERU · May 23, 2009, 12:21:46 PM

Cheers - ill crack on then

zpyder · May 23, 2009, 20:56:57 PM

Even though youre going ahead, Ill chip in with the fact I swapped my dell laptops hdd with no problems whatsoever. Just like a 3.5" drive tbh, except theres a few extra screws!

Mongoose · June 08, 2009, 17:43:45 PM

Quote from: zpyderEven though youre going ahead, Ill chip in with the fact I swapped my dell laptops hdd with no problems whatsoever. Just like a 3.5" drive tbh, except theres a few extra screws!

and also they are more tiny

you will of course already be aware that the distance a dropped screw will bounce is inversely proportional to its size, and screws smaller than you can comfortably see at a distance of 6 feet are not bound by the normal laws of physics in terms of which direction they will bounce.

A screw containment unit (sometimes called a tin) is advisable.

Eggtastico · June 08, 2009, 18:23:21 PM

Quote from: Mongoose
Quote from: zpyderEven though youre going ahead, Ill chip in with the fact I swapped my dell laptops hdd with no problems whatsoever. Just like a 3.5" drive tbh, except theres a few extra screws!

and also they are more tiny

you will of course already be aware that the distance a dropped screw will bounce is inversely proportional to its size, and screws smaller than you can comfortably see at a distance of 6 feet are not bound by the normal laws of physics in terms of which direction they will bounce.

A screw containment unit (sometimes called a tin) is advisable.

as is bluetac on the end of a screwdriver

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Laptop hard drives - Can I change it easily?