Replacing the computer disk is the best way to give new life to an old laptop PC and, if you choose to use an SSD disk, to make the new PC even faster. The hard disk is in fact the most fragile component of a computer, the one that lasts less and that after a certain period of time, before it breaks, must be replaced.
If we talk about a laptop of a few years that has become very slow despite all the system maintenance operations, instead of buying a new one, it is really worth installing an SSD disk, which by its nature is much faster compared to a normal hard disk (see here the differences between SSD and hard disk).
An SSD is even better than a hard disk because it is silent, because it consumes less energy and because it lasts longer since it has no moving mechanical parts.
In addition, they drastically reduce computer startup time by giving a sensitive and almost amazing boost to even an older laptop.
As already seen, you can buy an SSD disk on Amazon for 100 Euros or more depending on the capacity we need.
READ ALSO: Add SSD to the Laptop, instead of the hard disk or DVD player
Updating the hard drive in a laptop is not difficult for computer enthusiasts.
In short, just open the rear panel, pull the old disk away, insert the new drive into the bay, load the system and install the operating system.
However, there are many small details that need to be taken care of, especially if you want to keep everything inside the disk to be replaced.
Note: If the hard disk is broken and without the possibility of recovering the data, you can skip step 1 and go to step 2 directly, otherwise continue below.
1) Cloning of the original unit
If the laptop is in good condition and you want to change the disk by placing an SSD in place of the hard disk, you can clone it so that you can then exchange the disks without the PC suffering from malfunctions.
The only thing you need is a SATA-USB adapter cable (which you can always buy on Amazon) and make a perfect copy of the old disk in the new disk.
Everything will remain as before: operating system, programs and personal files.
We have seen how to do it in two specific guides to move Windows to SSD without reinstalling everything and to replace the hard disk to enhance the PC.
In summary, you need to backup important data to a third disk first, because you never know.
Then you have to clone using a program like Macrium (pay attention only to the partitions of the old disk because for perfect cloning you need to have only one and to the space available in the new one, which must be as large as the space occupied on the old disk).
Before cloning it is also advisable to clean up any unnecessary data from the disk that is going to be changed, delete the files that are not needed and make sure that there are no virus problems.
2) Preparation for installation
Once you have backed up your data and cloned the disk to the new one connected via USB-SATA cable, before opening the housing panel of the computer, it is important to take into account two considerations.
First of all, it may be that the SSD disk is smaller than the original hard disk.
You will therefore need the spacers in which to screw the new unit.
Laptops use 2.5 "and not 3.5" disks found on a desktop computer.
Solid state disks are however almost all 2.5 "but there is another consideration to be made regarding the shape of the 2.5" drive because the disks can have different thicknesses: 12.5 mm, 9.5 mm, and 7 mm.
12.5mm thick drives are relatively rare, 9.5mm drives are the most common while SSD solid state drives are almost universally 7mm thick
In many cases there will be no need for the spacer but since the SSD is thinner than the normal hard disk, you need to check before purchase if there are adapters included.
Another important thing to do before updating the laptop disk is to download the drivers from the manufacturer's website and save them on a USB stick in order to install them promptly.
Finally, if you are doing a fresh installation of the operating system, make sure you have the activation product key and the Windows installation disk.
3) Installation of the new unit
Turn off the laptop, unplug it if it is connected and remove the battery.
Before opening the laptop it is advisable to read the instruction manual so that you know exactly which door to unscrew to find the hard disk.
In the vast majority of laptops there is an obvious and easily accessible panel.
Carefully loosen the screws and gently open the panel.
After opening it, take a photo to remember exactly how the new disc should be placed.
The hard disk should be clearly recognizable by the metal round in the center.
Loosen the fixing screws on the hard disk and remove it gently on one side by pulling it out of its connection, without letting the screws fall into the body of the laptop and without sliding the hard disk on the circuit below.
In the same way as the old disk was inserted, insert the new one, fix the screws and close the panel.
If the disk has been cloned to the new SSD, simply restart the PC and use it as if nothing had happened (except that it will be much faster).
The only thing to do is to install the drivers and the maintenance program of the SSD provided by the manufacturer (for example the Samsung Magician)
In case of boot problems, you can always put the old disk back and clone again.
If you have to install the operating system from scratch, you must instead start the computer from the CD or from the USB stick where the Windows installation files are (see here how to change the boot order on the PC).
After installing the operating system, drivers and programs, do not forget to create a recovery partition to be used for factory reset when, in the future, you will want to reset everything again.
