Need advice on replacing laptop HHD

[maidestone]

Warnings from Windows 7 said the HDD on my 13-month old Toshiba L650 laptop is going to fail soon.

Data on the said HDD is already backed up. I am planning to remove the HDD and then take it to Memory Express to purchase a replacement, and then install the new HDD, and then return the laptop to its original state using the recovery disks.

Unfortunately I am not knowledgeable enough to tell if the process is that simple, or is it a task best entrusted to the technicians at Memory Express.

Any advice from fellow CPers will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all, in anticipation.

[Rathji]

Process is simple. A quick google will probably show you a video or diagram so you know exactly which screws to take out. then once the cover is off you might need to take 2-4 screws out, depending on how it is mounted and just put the new drive in the exact same way.

This page might also help

I assume it is not under warranty at 13 months? If it is, a call to them should get a new HDD sent out for free.

[maidestone]

Sincere thanks for your reply.

Warranty has expired.

A replacement HDD is about $100, but it would also afford me a chance to 'clean up' the laptop.

Do you think I will also need to update the BIOS?

[Rathji]

Doubtful

[maidestone]

UPDATE: replaced the defective HDD with a new one from Memory Express. Recovered the laptop to its original state. Straightforward and problem-free all the way. Except cannot find any Windows 7 sidebar gadget anymore.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by maidestone

UPDATE: replaced the defective HDD with a new one from Memory Express. Recovered the laptop to its original state. Straightforward and problem-free all the way. Except cannot find any Windows 7 sidebar gadget anymore.

It's unfortunate but Microsoft has basically killed official support for the sidebar gadgets.

You can still find the old files here and there if you google and hopefully people are still hosting the gadgets somewhere.