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Replace the Hard Drive in Your Toshiba Laptop

Edited by Geraldin Carniyan, Lynn, Monika, Eng and 12 others

9 Parts:

Creating a Recovery Media

Replacing the Hard Drive

Replacing your Hard Drive with Solid State Drive

Toshiba Portege Z930 and Z935 Solid State Drive Replacement

Toshiba A300 Series Hard Drive Replacement

Toshiba L750, L755, L750D and L755D Hard Drive Replacement

Tips

Questions and Answers

...More

The hard drive is one of the most important components of a Laptop. This is what allows our Laptop to function because it stores the operating system and other important programs to make the Laptop operate.

This is why, when our hard drive crashes, we call out technicians or go to the nearest computer shop right away. Replacing the hard drive of our Laptop is something that most of us are afraid to do by ourselves. Even I won't take the risk of messing up anything on it and will just take it to its manufacturer and get it looked at instead. But the truth is, if we follow simple instructions, we can actually replace our computer's hard drive just like our local technician can do. Today, we will learn how to replace the hard drive of a Toshiba Laptop and the important things that you need to do after successfully replacing it.

Contents

1 Creating a Recovery Media
2 Replacing the Hard Drive
3 Replacing your Hard Drive with Solid State Drive
4 Toshiba Portege Z930 and Z935 Solid State Drive Replacement
5 Toshiba A300 Series Hard Drive Replacement
6 Toshiba L750, L755, L750D and L755D Hard Drive Replacement
7 Tips
8 Questions and Answers
9 Comments

Creating a Recovery Media

First things first!

Creating your recovery media is a MUST for all computers. It contains all of the data from the hard drive when your computer was originally shipped out of the factory. Recovery media will save all the necessary files and programs to make the computer run. This is why you need to copy those files as soon as you first set up the computer, so you can recover it to its factory state. In case the hard drive of your Laptop already crashed and you don't have a way to create the recovery disc anymore, contact Toshiba to order it from them. You can create a recovery disc using the Toshiba Recovery Media Creator Utility or using a USB flash drive. Here is how you create a recovery media.

1
Create a Recovery Disc
1. To access the Toshiba Recovery Media Creator Utility, click on the Start button and type in "recovery" in the search bar. The results will appear in the box. Select Recovery Media Creator on the very top. On some models, it may appear as Toshiba Recovery Media Creator, Toshiba Recovery Disc Creator, or Recovery Disc Creator instead.
2. When the dialog box appears, select "Yes". Clicking "No" will close the program.
3. The Toshiba Recovery Media Creator will open. Make sure that System Recovery Media is ticked. On the drop down, DVD 4.7GB should be selected by default. If it isn't, click on the drop down and select it. The information box will tell you how many blank DVDs you need to create the recovery disc. For this example, four blank DVDs are needed (it may vary on the Laptop model). The Verify box on the lower left must also be ticked. Once you ensure that all these options are ready, you can now click on Create on the bottom right.
4. After you click "Create", you will be prompted to insert the first disc. When you insert the disc, an autoplay box may appear. If so, just click the X button to close it before clicking "OK".
5. When the disc creation starts, the status will say Recording while the DVD is being created. You will see the number of DVD that is currently being created in the Information box. The Current Media bar will display the progress of the DVD being created and the Total Progress indicates the creation progress as a whole (refer to the first box). When the recording of each DVD is done, the status will change to Verifying and the Information box will show that the data is now being verified (refer to the second box).
6. When the creation of the disc is finished, Windows may detect that the disc was just inserted and the dialog autoplay dialog box may appear again. Just click the X button to close it. The DVD will now be ejected and a dialog box asking you to insert the next disc will appear. Insert the second disc and click "OK" to start creating it. The process is the same for all the required discs.
7. Once you have finished creating all the discs, you will be prompted that the media creation is now completed. Click on "OK".
8. Once all the discs are finished, make sure to label them, because inserting them in the right order is critical when you do the system recovery after replacing the hard drive.
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2
Using a USB Flash Drive
1. To access the Toshiba Recovery Media Creator Utility, click on the start button and type in "recovery" in the search bar. The results will appear in the box. Select Recovery Media Creator on the very top. On some models, it may appear as Toshiba Recovery Media Creator, Toshiba Recovery Disc Creator, or Recovery Disc Creator instead.
2. When the dialog box appears, select "Yes". Clicking "No" will close the program.
3. The Toshiba Recovery Media Creator will open. Make sure System Recovery Media is ticked. On the drop down, select "USB Flash". The Information box will tell you how much memory space is needed to create a recovery media. The verify box on the lower left must also be ticked. Once all you ensure that all these options are ready, you can now click on "Create" on the bottom right.
4. After you click Create, you will be prompted to insert the USB flash drive. Insert the USB flash drive and click "OK" to continue. The USB flash drive will be formatted for it to be used to create a recovery media. Ensure that you have backed up all the files in the thumb drive that you don't want to lose because it will erase any data that is currently saved in it. Click "OK" to continue.
5. When the creation starts, the status will say Recording while the recovery media is created in the flash drive. The Current Media bar display the progress of the USB flash drive and the Total Progress indicated the creation progress as a whole (refer to the first box). When the recording of the data is done, the status will change to Verifying and the Information box will show that the data is now being verified (refer to the second box).
6. A dialog box will prompt you when the system recovery creation is complete. Click "OK" to finish.
7. Make sure to label your USB flash drive for future use.
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Replacing the Hard Drive

Steps may vary in different models, but we will give you a general overview of the steps in this section.

1
What you need
1. No. 1 Phillips head screwdriver
2. No. 0 Phillips head screwdriver
3. Two small containers to separate the screws
4. Your Laptop's recovery media
5. You new hard disk drive
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2
Procedure
1. Ensure that you have a space workable enough for your Laptop and tools. You can place a cloth on the area to make sure that the Laptop's surface won't be scratched.
2. Before you begin, make sure to wear an anti-static wrist strap. This is to prevent the build-up of electricity near the Laptop. Turn off the Laptop and unplug it from the power outlet. Remove all the accessories, including the battery if the battery is removable.
3. Once you have found the hard drive cover, unscrew it using your No. 1 Phillips head screwdriver and remove it.
4. Once open, check if you have found the hard drive. These are some the photos of what they look like.
5. Most hard drives are screwed in to hold them in place so you also need to unscrew them. Use your No. 0 Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew them.
6. A little force may be needed with your fingers to take the hard drive out by pushing it.
7. After taking the hard drive out, remove its enclosure by unscrewing the cover. Remove the enclosure and get the new hard drive that you will use as a replacement. Attach the enclosure to the new hard drive the same way that it was attached to the old one.
8. Put in the new hard drive and screw it in tightly to make sure that it doesn't move, and that it will properly work. Ensure that all the screws were left before re-attaching the cover.
9. Finally, screw the cover back and re-install your operating system using your recovery media.
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Replacing your Hard Drive with Solid State Drive

1
What is solid state drive/SSD?
1. Solid state Drive is a new storage component that is available in computers today. While hard disk drives have a mechanical arm that moves around to bring us the information we need, solid state drives have no moving parts and they store information in microchips which make it way faster than a regular hard drive. If you want to replace your hard drive with a solid state drive, here's how.
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What you need

USB-to-SATA Transfer Cable
A CD ROM containing Data Migration Software (please contact Toshiba if you don't have this)

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Procedure

Make sure that you have a clean and dry working area before starting the data transfer process. Plug your Laptop to the power outlet and make sure that it is not running on battery. This process may take a long time, so we have to ensure that we will not lose the power. Although this is meant to copy all the data from your computer, it is always best to backup all of your files beforehand.
Connect the USB-to-SATA Cable into your solid state drive and connect the two USB connectors to the side of your Laptop. Ensure that both USB connectors are plugged in.
Turn on the Laptop and make sure that there are no running programs. Insert the data migration disc in the disc drive and run the installer of the NTi Echo software.
Once the software has been run, click on its icon on your desktop screen and click YES on the user account control box. Follow the on screen instructions to continue with the installation and perform the data migration on our computer.
You will be prompted to shut down the computer when the process is finished.
With the Laptop shut down, remove the USB-to-SATA Cable from your solid state drive and the Laptop's USB ports. Unplug the Laptop from the power outlet and remove the battery as well. Turn your Laptop over so you can see its back. If the Laptop's old hard drive has a bracket and screws, you will need to reuse them. Start removing the old hard drive and replace it with your solid state drive. (Please refer to the previous section for the steps.)
Unlike with a regular hard drive, you do not need to re-install your operating system anymore because all of the Laptop information has already been transferred during the migration process. You can now turn your Laptop back on and start using it as normal.

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Toshiba Portege Z930 and Z935 Solid State Drive Replacement

1
What you need
:
1. Container for the screws
2. A Screw Torx Driver T07
3. A case separator
4. A Phillips head screwdriver
5. Anti-static wrist band
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2
Procedure
:
1. Turn your Laptop over and lay your tools beside it to access them easier. Before you begin, make sure to wear an anti-static wrist strap. This is to prevent the build-up of electricity near the Laptop. Turn off the Laptop and unplug it from the power outlet.
2. Remove the rubber in the middle of the bottom of the Laptop using a case separator. Be careful not to scratch your Laptop. After removing the rubber, remove the screw under it using your Torx Driver T07.
3. . Start removing the rest of the screws starting with the two in both corners using your Phillips head screwdriver. Check the areas in red to see the locations of the screws. Put the screws in a container so you won't lose them.
4. Remove the bottom case by pushing the side of the USB port slightly towards the side of the audio port on the left. This will allow the case to slide off and be removed. You will now see the solid state drive.
5. To make sure that the battery won't get damaged in the process of replacing the solid state drive, remove it first by removing the six Phillips-head screws that secure it. Put the screws in a separate container so it won't be mixed up with other screws.
6. Lift the battery slightly and remove it from the power cable by pushing the groove in it, using the case separator. Please note that the speakers may move when removing the battery because they are secured using the same set of screws. Don't panic and just re-seat them so they will fit back in their places.
7. Next, remove the Phillips head screws that secure the solid state drive and put them in a separate container. The solid state drive will pop up when the screws are removed. Pull it up to remove it.
8. Take your new solid state drive and make sure that its orientation is aligned to the slot. Hold the solid state drive down and screw it in.
9. Place the battery back by connecting the power cable back. Use the case separator to slide it in and lay it down in its slot properly before putting the screws back.
10. Lastly, put the cover back. Start by lightly pushing the case to the left to secure that it is in place then push it down. Push the case down to the other side and secure that the whole case is in place before putting the screws back.
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Toshiba A300 Series Hard Drive Replacement

1
What you need
1. Small Flathead Screw Driver
2. Containers for the Screws
3. Your New Hard Drive
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2
Procedure
1. Turn off the Laptop and unplug it from the power outlet. Turn your Laptop over and slide the battery locks to remove it.
2. Remove the both screws that secure the cover of the hard drive. Pull the cover out and you will now see the hard drive.
3. Next, remove both screws that secure the hard drive. Gently pull the hard drive upwards to remove it from its slot.
4. You need the case of the old hard drive to be transferred the current one. Remove the screws on both sides (2 screws per side) and put the new hard drive in it the same exact way that the old hard drive was placed. Put the screws back in and make sure that they are tight enough to secure the casing.
5. Place the hard drive back and ensure that it is tightly placed in the slot.
6. Screw the hard drive back and put the cover back into place. Finally, reinsert the battery and turn the Laptop back on.
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Toshiba L750, L755, L750D and L755D Hard Drive Replacement

1
What you need
1. Small Flathead Screw Driver
2. Containers for the Screws
3. Your New Hard Drive
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2
Procedure
1. Turn off the Laptop and unplug it from the power outlet. Turn the Laptop over and remove the battery by sliding its locks on both sides before sliding it out.
2. Remove both screws that locks the hard drive cover and pull it out. You will now see the hard drive.
3. Remove the screw the locks the hard drive in place and gently pull it out from its slot.
4. Take out the caddy from the old hard drive by removing its screws on both ends. Take your new hard drive and attach the caddy to it.
5. Put the new hard drive to its slot and ensure that it is pushed on to the left and there is no space in between. Put the screw that holds it back before placing the cover again.
6. Place the battery back and turn the Laptop back on.
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Tips

An external hard drive cannot be used in creating a recovery media. We can only use a USB stick/USB thumb drive for it.

Questions and Answers

I have a Toshiba Portage z930 that I can not boot into?

When I turn my Laptop on to boot it after the Toshiba logo comes on, it goes to a black screen with password shown on the top left corner.

This is a boot password on your Toshiba Laptop and is a security feature. You can easily disable it in the BIOS.

If you do not know the BIOS password, you can take the machine apart and remove the BIOS battery, or connect the jumpers on the main board that will cause the BIOS to be reset. As a general rule, you will have already removed the battery when attempting this, but if you have not, make sure you do.

I want to take off the bottom of my Toshiba Portege Z935?

I've removed all the screws but it is tethered in the middle

There is a hidden screw under the rubber piece in the middle. Remove the rubber with a screwdriver and unscrew the last torx screw. You may need a Security Torx Screwdriver T07 to remove this last screw. The solid-state drive will be in the lower-left corner if the cover was placed in a way that all letters were not placed upside-down or sideways. Remove two common screws with a Philips screwdriver and pull the SDD drive out of the socket.

How to replace the hard drive and install the operating system?

My hard drive is dead, and I want to replace it with another one. How do I install the operating system back to the new hard drive?

You have several options, but you will, most likely, need another computer.

Option 1 (if your computer has a sticker).

1
Insert the new HDD
.
Connect external optical disc drive if needed.
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2
If your computer has a sticker anywhere on it, then you need to find the full version name of Windows.
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3
Then, download the Windows version from the Microsoft servers
.
- For Windows 7, navigate to Windows 7 download page and enter the CD key.
- For Windows 8 or 8.1, navigate to Windows 8.1 download page and enter the CD key.
- For Windows 10, navigate to Windows 10 download page.
- For a limited time, you may be able to install Windows 10 for 7 and 8.1 systems by using the same CD key.
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4
Follow the instructions on how to create bootable medium (DVD or USB) and create one.

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5
Enter the BIOS of your computer and modify it so that you boot from the optical disc drive or USB.
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6
Boot from the created medium and enter the CD key from the computer when installing the operating system
.
This will allow you to install the operating system.

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Option 2 (if your computer has no sticker but has a recovery medium).

1
Insert the new HDD
.
Connect external optical disc drive if needed.
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2
Enter the BIOS of your computer and modify it so that you boot from the optical disc drive or USB.
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3
Boot from the recovery medium and follow the instructions on the screen.
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Option 3 (if your computer has no sticker and has no recovery medium).

1
Insert the new HDD
.
Connect external optical disc drive if needed.
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2
Find an OEM or common box with your Windows DVD
.
There is a sticker on it.
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3
Once you have located the sticker, follow the instructions from option 1.
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Option 4 (if your computer has no sticker, no recovery medium, and no Windows disc).

1
Insert the new HDD
.
Connect external optical disc drive if needed.
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2
Buy or download an operating system of your choice
.
The operating systems can be, for example, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Ubuntu, etc.
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3
Enter the BIOS of your computer and modify it so that you boot from the optical disc drive or USB.
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4
Install the operating system and enter the CD key, if necessary, during the installation.

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What size Torx screwdriver do I need to buy to open the center screw on my Z930?

I know there is a Torx security screw under the rubber bumper at the center of my Toshiba Portege Z930. I was told it would be T5 or T9. I'm upgrading the RAM. I'm not replacing this myself, but need to provide my tech with the screwdriver. It would be so helpful to know which one I need. Thanks!

You will need a Security Torx T7 Screwdriver.

How do I access the USB recovery media after I replaced the hard drive in my Toshiba laptop?

I used a Dell hard drive for this process - once I replaced the hard drive, the laptop wouldn't start up so that I could use the recovery media. I also tried to reboot using the USB function but that didn't work either.