change external hard drive vaio Solved

Question

Hello, Do you think it’s possible (and especially safe) for a novice to change the hard drive of a Sony Vaio K115S laptop (which runs on XP) by themselves? The defective hard drive (tested with HDTune) is a TOSHIBA MK6021GAS. Will there be any adapters or other parts to change at the same time? Thank you in advance for your answers and advice. Chris

Mozgy · Accepted Answer

Hello, to recover your Windows installation and your software, you can follow these instructions: 1- First, install a disk cloning software like "True Image" on your PC. 2- Using this software, create a copy of the C drive that you will save on an external hard drive. 3- You will then burn a bootable CD in: True Image/Tools/Create a rescue boot disk. 4- Next, replace the faulty hard drive on your PC with a new 2.5'' hard drive (any brand). 5- Finally, launch the True Image bootable CD in your CD drive. 6- Connect the external hard drive. 7- Restore your backup of the C drive using True Image.  There you go... I hope that's pretty clear. Good luck. Mozgy.

noob_linux · Answer

I'm no longer a novice.. but it can be done very easily with PATIENCE and a good screwdriver  however, take a good look at how the ribbon cable connecting the laptop and the HDD is mounted because on laptops, there is no keying system like on non-miniature hard drives :)

Mozgy · Answer

Just for your information, I have exactly the same hard drive problem as you on my Vaio K115S bought less than a year and a half ago. Is there a problem with this series?

SRS · Answer

Hello, I have exactly the same problem:   a toasted Toshiba MK6021GAS on a SONY VAIO k115s :(((   Changing it myself is no problem: remove the left cover, 1 screw then 4 tiny Phillips screws and the disk is out.  No issues with putting it back together, it’s impossible to reconnect it wrong.    However, the question is:  Is it possible to replace this HDD with another ultra DMA 100 2.5"? ???  Is there a tattoo or anything that prevents putting another one in?   If you have any experiences in this area, please share them ;)

chris · Answer

Hello,  Since there are four of us in the same situation here, it seems to be a recurring issue. Could we not come together to request compensation? Does anyone have experience in this area?  To respond to SRS, I switched to a Western Digital WD600VE-00HDT0 hard drive.  Chris

tridouille · Answer

Hello, same problem with the Toshiba MK6021GAS hard drive mounted on a Compaq Presario 2100... There seems to be a serial issue, but with five of us, I’m afraid it’ll be difficult to get Toshiba to take action. On the other hand, I might consider going to the competition, maybe Samsung, because the capacity is 80GB compared to 60GB with Toshiba. Just need to find it cheap and install it the right way! Ciao.

domic · Answer

Hello,  +1, it's been 2 years on the Acer Aspire 2000, which is 2 months old. The hard drive was replaced under warranty, and since then, no issues.  Best regards  Domic

mariounet · Answer

Hello, I have a hard drive problem with my VAIO VGN SZ220 purchased last September in the United States! I need to change the hard drive (the one I have is about to die). Do you think I will be able to recover my data and especially my software? Additionally, I don't have a Sony installation CD (not provided). How does it work? Is it possible to recover everything that was on the old hard drive or do I have to reinstall everything? Which hard drive do you recommend? I'm completely overwhelmed, desperate, and very angry because this computer is brand new! Thank you very much for your responses Mariounet

totof · Answer

Hello, can you directly copy your system to the new hard drive using True Image via a USB enclosure and then boot from that copy after putting it back in the PC?

Mat · Answer

Hello,  my TOSHIBA hard drive from the Vaio K115S also burned out... I just sent it back to change the hard drive... Apparently, it’s indeed a series problem!!!

po654 · Answer

Hello  I have a Vaio PCG_FX802 with a 40 GB Samsung hard drive that is weak.  Yesterday, I tried to replace the Samsung hard drive with a Maxtor, and my BIOS does not recognize the Maxtor hard drive.  Please help me  Thank you in advance for your response.

th0mas · Answer

arg, I had the same problem, crash of the Toshiba MK6021GAS hard drive on my Vaio K115S in the summer of 2005, a little over a year after purchase... And a friend, the same thing happened around the same time... Well, it's a bit late to complain to Sony now... But it's reassuring to see that we weren't the only ones!

gazer · Answer

The hard drive of my Vaio failed yesterday without warning. 13 months after purchase (the warranty just expired a month ago). I'm disgusted and unfortunately, I have no backups, not even the Windows reinstall CD or the Vaio CD (not provided).

Rajiin · Answer

Hello,
same thing here for a PCG-9W5M purchased 3 years ago...

I'm going to buy a 2.5" drive and open it up to change the HDD...
At the same time, I feel like it has held up quite well compared to others mentioned here...

pikanat27120 · Answer

Hello, I have a Vaio FS415S and I also need to change my internal hard drive because it’s dead. I’ve had mine for almost 2 years, but seeing the messages left makes me feel less alone. My hard drive was 100 GB, and I wanted to know if I could replace it with a 250 GB one, because if I’m going to change it, I might as well do it for something better. But I’m worried about having problems with the BIOS or the motherboard afterward. Can someone advise me, thanks in advance.

kin.ko · Answer

Your question interests me and I'm waiting for the answers... For me, I would be afraid of overheating especially when I changed my drive to put in a much faster one (which is important for data transfer), I didn't exceed 100 GB (it's a 2.5-inch drive in laptops) but I admit that 100 GB fills up quickly if you're dealing with music or video... so I put my old drive in an external case plus an additional 500 GB external Firewire. But you constantly have to juggle with transferring large files... Otherwise, it runs smoothly, with no noise or overheating.

n.drici · Answer

Is it possible to change the hard drive without having the reinstallation CD?   If not, what could be the solutions?    Thank you.

boby · Answer

Hello, I have the same hard drive issue with a Toshiba MK6021GAS mounted on a Fujitsu Siemens Amilo A1630. The HDD lasted 24 months. It seems to be a real series problem...

kana · Answer

Hello,  just like all of you: sony pcgk115s, hard drive is dead!!! I'm looking into replacing it. I'm really frustrated, I was quite happy until now....

Franckyco · Answer

My VAIO A497XP has broken down, it seems that it's the hard drive! But what is the disk reference? How to reinstall without a reinstallation CD It's a hassle especially since I'm not a pro! Thanks

lancetre06 · Answer

Hello,

My 40-gig hard drive makes a noise like a washing machine (full of nails) when booting on a Sony Vaio FS315 purchased in 2005.

Does anyone know where I can find a compatible model of good quality and not too expensive?

Thank you

tito · Answer

I want to remove the hard drive from my Sony Vaio FZ11M... how do I do that??? And what connections do I need to connect it via USB??

stef1945 · Answer

Hello everyone,
I have the same issue with my PCG-K115s: the original hard drive crashed and was urgently replaced with a 40GB Seagate Momentus;
however, I bought a 160GB SAMSUNG Spinpoint M5 and here comes the bad surprise:
- it works but poorly: it's incredibly slow and I can't find the cause of the problem;
- under HD Tune: 2.5 MB/s on average !!!

if someone has had this bad experience and found a solution, I’m all ears....

flo3390 · Answer

Hello,

I have a Vaio PCG 6G1M that is now about 4 years old, and the hard drive is making some really weird noises; it sounds like it's scratching a lot and, clearly, it's on its way out. I want to change it before it dies, but I'm not sure how to proceed. How should I go about it? I also have a mailbox with Thunderbird, so I want to keep all my emails. I also have a backup CD and an external hard drive.
Thank you in advance.

flo3390 · Answer

Hello, EDITED MESSAGE

I have a Vaio VGN-S4HP that is now about 4 years old and the HDD is making really strange noises; it is grinding loudly and skipping, in short, it’s on its last legs (I think). I would like to change it before it completely fails, but I’m not sure about the procedure. How should I go about it? Can I install a larger one? Also, I have a Thunderbird email account with a lot of emails that I want to keep. I also have a backup CD and an external HDD. I have already opened the two rear compartments, but there is no sign of the HDD; could it be under the keyboard?
Thank you in advance.

MARCGFORCE · Answer

I just changed the hard drive of a Sony Vaio VGN-S4HP/B and it wasn't easy (even though I've changed many laptop hard drives!). But this one (thanks Sony) seems to have been designed by a less than scrupulous engineer, or completely clueless, who thought that hard drives never fail.... You really need to disassemble the beast to access the hard drive; here’s the order of steps:  1. Unscrew all the screws on the back (except the covers for the memory and the Wi-Fi card) 2. Unscrew the screws at the back holding the keyboard 3. Clip out the battery and manipulate the two tabs holding the keyboard. 4. Turn the device upside down, open the screen and lift the keyboard 5. Unscrew the few screws that hold the upper plastic (be careful, one screw is near the fan, another under the keyboard ribbon cable). 6. Don't force anything; the cover offers no resistance. 7. From the empty part of the battery, remove the upper cover, making sure to disconnect the keyboard (you need to lift the tab), the touchpad (you need to lift the blue part), and, similarly, another module that prevents the cover from coming off completely. 8. Don’t forget to move the speaker wires for better mobility (I couldn't manage to disconnect them and didn't want to do so for fear of breaking them.) Move the cover and on the right you will access the hard drive secured by an aluminum cover screwed onto the motherboard (phew). 9. Disconnect the hard drive from the motherboard, unscrew it from its cover, peel off the black protection at the base, and disconnect it from the SATA. 10. You are done with the disassembly.  Since I haven't reassembled the beast yet, if there are any difficulties, I'll post another update; otherwise, perform the same operations in reverse for reassembly.   Thanks Sony....

stphgllt · Answer

Hi,

I would like to change the hard drive on my Sony VAIO PCG-7L1M, which is 80MB, for a larger one.

I've deleted files, but it's still full at 90%. I would also like to know how to keep all my programs and transfer them to the new hard drive.

As for documents, it's simple; just put them on an external hard drive and then reinject them.

Here is my email for contact: stphgllt@neuf.fr

Thanks in advance.

MARCGFORCE · Answer

Hello,

I'm not a Vaio specialist, but changing a hard drive on a laptop isn't a complicated task when the manufacturer has thought to place the HDD in a compartment that allows for easy replacement (unlike the one I had to completely disassemble).
The first step is, of course, to grab a screwdriver and check if there is an access panel to this component. If there is, with a bit of patience, you'll easily find how to remove the old one and replace it with a new one, the hardest part being reinstalling the system on this empty device.
If there is no access panel, you'll need a lot of patience, observation, focus, a camera, and easily half a day to complete the operation! because disassembling a laptop is complicated; don't take the risk if you're not knowledgeable, you might end up with a nice puzzle that will end up in the trash.

Good luck to everyone

guigui · Answer

Strange, I also let go at 13 months...

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