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Hewlett-Packard and HP Compaq laptops: How to remove the Hard Drive

Hewlett-Packard has developed numerous laptop models in different internal components layout designs. The purpose of this article is to help you to decide if it's worth to do the drive removal procedure by yourself or rather turn to qualified service agents. Bear in mind that servicing internal components increases the risk of damaging the computer which might not be covered under the manufactory warranty. Understand the risk and refer to the product's warranty before attempting to service the computer.

HP Laptops from Group #1

For simplicity, let's categorize all HP laptops into two large groups by its drive location layout. First group is for the computers that allow relatively easy access to the drive from the bottom side, located right under serving hatch specially designated for fast drive replacement. HP ZBook 15 G2 is a typical representative of this group.

  1. Slide the service cover release latch to the left (1), and then remove the optional Phillips screw (if the screw is being used) (2).
  2. Slide the release latch again (3) to release the service cover.
  3. Slide the service cover toward the front of the computer (4), and then lift to remove the service cover (5).
  4. Loosen the 3 hard drive captive screws (6).
  5. Pull up the hard drive tab (7) to disconnect the hard drive
  6. Remove the hard drive bracket from the hard drive.

Before removing the hard drive from any HP laptop, follow these steps:

  • Turn off the computer.
  • Disconnect the power from the computer by unplugging the power cord from the computer.
  • Remove the battery
HDD Location for a Laptop in Group #1

HP Laptops from Group #2: Complex Hard Drive Removal

All other laptops that must be partially disassembled to remove the drive we refer to the next group of HP notebooks. To remove a drive from these computers you may need to have a certain technical experience and skills and be ready to challenge a complex chassis disassemble task, otherwise you may consider a qualified technician help. Just to mention about complexity of such task we give an example of disassembling steps for HP ENVY 15-k000 and HP Pavilion 15-p000 Notebook PCs.

You need a Phillips head screwdriver, tweezers or needle-nose pliers, and a non-metallic prying tool. Besides, HP strongly recommends the use of an anti-static wrist strap and a conductive foam pad when working on the computer. First step is removing the battery and the optical drive. Then start removing the top cover of laptop: On the bottom of the notebook, remove the two rubber feet from the rear corners. Remove the Phillips-head screws that secure each of the corner covers to the base enclosure. Carefully lift the corner covers to disengage the tabs that secure them to the base enclosure and remove. To begin removing the top cover, remove the Mylar screw cover from the base enclosure. Remove the fifteen Phillips-head screws that secure the top cover to the base enclosure. Remove the three Phillips broad-head screws from the optical drive bay that secure the top cover to the base enclosure. Turn the computer over and open the display panel. Carefully separate the edges of the top cover from the base enclosure. Lift the front edge of the top cover until you have access to the touchpad board connector on the system board. Carefully and using minimal force, lift the locking bar up on the touchpad board connector and disconnect the touchpad board ribbon cable from the system board. Carefully and using minimal force, lift the locking bar up on the keyboard connector and disconnect the keyboard ribbon cable from the system board. Using minimal force lift up on the locking bar on the finger print reader ribbon cable connector and disconnect the finger print reader ribbon cable from the system board. Using minimal force, lift the locking bar up on the keyboard light connector and disconnect the keyboard light ribbon cable from the system board. Carefully and using minimal force, lift the locking bar up on the power button board ZIF connector and disconnect the power button board ribbon cable from the system board. Lift and remove the top cover.

Being careful and using minimal force, lift the locking bar up on the USB board connector and disconnect the USB board ribbon cable from the system board and disconnect the USB board ribbon cable from the system board. Lift the locking bar up on the hard disk drive adapter connector, then lift the locking bar up on the hard disk drive adapter connector and disconnect the hard disk drive adapter ribbon cable from the system board. To remove the hard disk drive, lift the right edge of the hard disk drive assembly and slide the tabs on the right side of the hard disk drive assembly out of the notches in the base enclosure and remove the hard disk drive assembly.

After you are done with the drive removal you may place the hard disk drive in a static dissipative bag for protection and ship to DataLab247 data recovery lab for service.

Reference table: HP laptops grouping by drive removal methods
HP laptops in Group #1
(fast and easy drive removal)		HP laptops in Group #2 (complicated)
  • HP Pavilion dv4, dv6500, dv6600, dv6700, dv6800
  • HP ZBook 15 G1/G2 mobile workstations
  • HP Compaq nw9440, nc8230, nc8430, nc6400, 320, 321, 420, 421, 620, 621
  • HP Probook 6465b, 6475b, 6560b
  • HP Elitebook 8460, 8560, 8760, 8570, 8770, PB 6465, 6475
  • HP OmniBook 900, 2100, 3000, 3100, 4000, 5000, 5500, 5700, 7100
  • HP OmniBook 4100 Series
  • HP OmniBook XE2
  • HP Pavilion i7
  • HP Pavilion n5000, 15-p000, x360
  • HP Pavilion 15-p000, x360
  • HP ENVY 15-k000
  • HP ProBook 430 G1, 4520s
  • HP PRO 4710s
  • HP OmniBook 800
  • HP Compaq Armada 1100 Series laptops

NOTE: Only few models of HP laptops were included in this table, as the examples of HP and Compaq drive removals.

HP Laptop Drive Removal Example

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