How do I remove the hard drive in Toshiba SatellitePro A10 EN? (Removing the plastic cover exposes only the end of the hard drive. I'm reluctant to just start pulling on it!

hiere is a vid:

Hi,

This is indicative that your motherboard through the BIOS/CMOS is not auto-detecting the presence of a hard drive. Though this should be automatically done, you can try manually detecting by going to the CMOS/BIOS setup and verify that it can be physically detected. If not then you would need to replace the defective hard drive.

Most Toshiba hard drives are inside a slot either on the side or front. To gain access, you need to turn over the laptop and look for a panel/lid covering that is lacked in place by7 1 or 2 small screws. After removing the plastic covering, the HD would be exposed and should be relatively easy to remove. In vertain versions/models, the HD might also have a locking small screw or a pry open lever or bar.

Hope that this be of some help/idea. Pls post back how things turned out or should you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards.

The hard disk drive (HDD) in your Toshiba laptop is the component that holds all the files and folders you use.
If you are running out of room on the hard disk drive because of all the programs you have installed, it may be time to replace it with a new one that has a larger capacity.
Replacing the hard disk drive on a Toshiba laptop is a fairly straightforward and simple process, as you only need to remove one other component to be able to reach the hard drive.

Save a backup copy of any file or program that you will need from the original hard disk drive to an external device such as a CD-RW or USB flash drive.
Shut down the Toshiba laptop's operating system completely.
Disconnect the power cable if it was plugged in and then close the top screen lid.
Flip the entire unit over so that the bottom end of the laptop case is facing towards you.

Hold down the release latch for the Toshiba laptop's battery.
Slide the laptop battery out of the case and then put it aside.
Locate the screw at the upper-left corner of the case that holds the CD or DVD drive into place.
Remove the screw and set it aside. Grab the edge of the CD or DVD drive and then pull it away from the Toshiba laptop case. Set the drive aside.
Remove the four screws holding the large square plastic cover over the hard disk drive at the lower left end of the laptop case.
Lift the square plastic cover off the laptop case and set it aside so that you can see the metal plate that covers the hard disk drive.
Take out the screws holding the metal plate in place.
Lift the metal plate out of the case and set it aside.
Remove the two screws at the top edge of the hard disk drive and then the two screws at the bottom edge of the hard disk drive.
Disconnect the hard drive from the motherboard by sliding it out towards you.
Lift the hard disk drive out of the case and set it aside.
Push the new hard drive into the open slot and then reconnect the four screws.
Set the metal plate back on top of the new hard disk drive and then attach its screws.
Put the plastic cover on and reattach the cover's screws.
Slide the CD or DVD drive back into its port and then reconnect the screw.
Put the battery back into the Toshiba laptop.
Turn the laptop over and open up the screen.
Power the computer on. Insert the recovery disk that came with the Toshiba laptop into the CD or DVD drive.
Follow the operating system installation instructions that will appear on the screen.
Transfer the backup copies of the files you saved earlier from the external device to the new hard drive.

Toshiba Satellite hard drive replacement
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-P10/remove-hard-drive.htm

1) Remove ALL power.
Remove the AC adapter (Charger) and Battery.

2) Lay a static free cloth on the table, or workbench you are working on.
(Protects the table, and the laptop)

Laptop closed turn it over, set it down on the static free cloth, Bottom side up.

3) Locate the HarDDrive Compartment Cover.
(Sony's term is HDD Slot Cover)

Looking at the bottom of the laptop, this is the rectangular cover that sits vertical, at the Bottom/Middle of the laptop.
The DVD optical drive is to the Right.

Remove the two Philips head screws which hold the cover.
Remove the cover.

(It has tabs made out of the plastic cover, which are on the opposite side of the screws. These tabs slide down into the Bottom Cover of the laptop.
When removing the cover use care, and do not break these tabs off)

4) With the harddrive compartment cover removed, look at the Right side. There is a square depression next to the right edge, in the middle.
(The square may be colored Blue)

There is one single Philips head screw to remove.
Then the DVD optical drive tray is opened by pushing it's release button.
The tray is used to gently pull the DVD optical drive out of the laptop.

This is a link to a free Service Manual,

http://www.tim.id.au/blog/tims-laptop-service-manuals/#toc-toshiba

Go down to the 'paragraph' that starts with - Satellite A10. (A10 in blue)
Drop down to the 5th line. (Begins with M500 in blue)
Scroll across, and click on P500.

This is a PDF file. The computer you are using now has Adobe Reader on it, which uses PDF files.

After you click on the file name (P500) it may take up to 30 seconds, before the first page comes up.

At the top of the PDF file is the page number box. It is to the Right of the Down Arrow. Go to Page 188.

Or use the Bookmarks menu to the left.
Left-click on the + sign next to -
Chapter 4 - Replacement Procedures.

Then scroll down, and left-click on -
4.5 Optical disk drive

(The Adobe PDF file may be in a different format, when it comes up.
Hover your mouse cursor towards the Bottom/Middle.
In the bar that appears go to the far right, and click on the red Adobe PDF icon )

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

you need this hard drive,

Toshiba p/n, MK2105MAT




simply remove the plastic cover from rear of laptop. a small icon or image of HDD insignia will most likely be on back, near plastic cover. remove the screws, there will be a tab to assit you in pulling out the hard drive from compartment. it may require you to unscrew more screws to release the hard disk drive.

once removed replace with the new one.

Turn off your Toshiba Satellite, turn it over and remove the battery from its compartment on the bottom of the computer.

2

Locate the rectangular hard drive cover in the corner of the computer and use your Phillips head screwdriver remove the single screw holding it in place. A metal tab will now be exposed in the hard drive compartment.

3

Locate the single screw just below the hard drive compartment and remove it. This is the screw that holds the CD drive in place.

4

Use the tip of your screwdriver to push the metal tab in the hard drive compartment in as far as it will go. The CD drive will then pop slightly out of the side of the computer.

5

Grip the drive at its end and gently slide it out of the computer. You are now free to replace the CD drive if necessary

1 Unplug the computer. As a safety precaution the hard drive removal should not be attempted while the computer is still plugged into the house current.
2 Pull the cover off the computer. This should be as simple as removing a few screws and sliding off the cover. If the process seems more involved that this, then consult your owner’s manual for the computer.
3
Locate the hard drive.The hard drive usually comes in the shape of a black-plastic rectangular box enclosed in a metal casing. It is linked to other components by a unique connecting device that is easily recognizable. This device is a long plastic ribbon-like cord that has a long interlocking and connecting device attached to it.
4 Remove the metal housing. This should be as simple as removing a few screws.
5
Disconnect the hard drive. All you have to do is pull the interlocking end of the lock ribbon cord until it coves free. This should not require an extraordinary amount of strength. It is similar to pulling an electrical cord from a wall socket.
Read more: How to Take a Hard Drive Out of a Computer | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4450021_take-hard-drive-out-computer.html#ixzz0qvQCfJhS

Step 6 Unscrew anything that is still holding the hard drive in place and then pull the hard drive unit out of the computer. Now you can externally hook the hard drive to another computer to double check the data base. For this you will need an external holder, which you can purchase for $25 to $50 at your local computer store. Or you can add the hard drive unit to the inside of another computer tower.

Read more: How to Take a Hard Drive Out of a Computer | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4450021_take-hard-drive-out-computer.html#ixzz0qvQ9MXYe

Step 5 Disconnect the hard drive. All you have to do is pull the interlocking end of the lock ribbon cord until it coves free. This should not require an extraordinary amount of strength. It is similar to pulling an electrical cord from a wall socket.

Read more: How to Take a Hard Drive Out of a Computer | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4450021_take-hard-drive-out-computer.html#ixzz0qvQ5WTOQ

Step 4 Remove the metal housing. This should be as simple as removing a few screws.

Step 5 Disconnect the hard drive. All you have to do is pull the interlocking end of the lock ribbon cord until it coves free. This should not require an extraordinary amount of strength. It is similar to pulling an electrical cord from a wall socket.

Read more: How to Take a Hard Drive Out of a Computer | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4450021_take-hard-drive-out-computer.html#ixzz0qvQ1AnQp

Step 3 Locate the hard drive.The hard drive usually comes in the shape of a black-plastic rectangular box enclosed in a metal casing. It is linked to other components by a unique connecting device that is easily recognizable. This device is a long plastic ribbon-like cord that has a long interlocking and connecting device attached to it.

Step 4 Remove the metal housing. This should be as simple as removing a few screws.

Step 5 Disconnect the hard drive. All you have to do is pull the interlocking end of the lock ribbon cord until it coves free. This should not require an extraordinary amount of strength. It is similar to pulling an electrical cord from a wall socket.

Step 6 Unscrew anything that is still holding the hard drive in place and then pull the hard drive unit out of the computer. Now you can externally hook the hard drive to another computer to double check the data base. For this you will need an external holder, which you can purchase for $25 to $50 at your local computer store. Or you can add the hard drive unit to the inside of another computer tower.

Read more: How to Take a Hard Drive Out of a Computer | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4450021_take-hard-drive-out-computer.html#ixzz0qvPuIEwv

Step 2 Pull the cover off the computer. This should be as simple as removing a few screws and sliding off the cover. If the process seems more involved that this, then consult your owner’s manual for the computer.

Step 3 Locate the hard drive.The hard drive usually comes in the shape of a black-plastic rectangular box enclosed in a metal casing. It is linked to other components by a unique connecting device that is easily recognizable. This device is a long plastic ribbon-like cord that has a long interlocking and connecting device attached to it.

Step 4 Remove the metal housing. This should be as simple as removing a few screws.

Step 5 Disconnect the hard drive. All you have to do is pull the interlocking end of the lock ribbon cord until it coves free. This should not require an extraordinary amount of strength. It is similar to pulling an electrical cord from a wall socket.

Step 6 Unscrew anything that is still holding the hard drive in place and then pull the hard drive unit out of the computer. Now you can externally hook the hard drive to another computer to double check the data base. For this you will need an external holder, which you can purchase for $25 to $50 at your local computer store. Or you can add the hard drive unit to the inside of another computer tower.

Read more: How to Take a Hard Drive Out of a Computer | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4450021_take-hard-drive-out-computer.html#ixzz0qvPnVKmo

by removing the top cover you have rendered you hard drive inoperative unless you were qualified to do so in a proper "clean room environment"

Sorry to give you the bad news but that is how it is

Most hard drives have an inert gas inside the case to keep airborne contamination out and by removing the cover you have exposed it to that contamination

Use a tiny amount of light weight oil (sewing machine oil will work) on the outsides of the motor shaft,., Use a tooth pick to apply. Of cours you'll need to remove the plastic body first. Another suggestion if that doesn't take care of the noise is to place a tiny bit of vasoline on the gears that are exposed when you take the plastic boy off. While your doing that you may want to place some vasoline on the gears inside the driving truck or trucks (dual drive). Pay attention when removing the plastic bottom covers from the truck. Use a small screw driver to pry one end of that cover loose and the other becomes loose and then remove to expose the gears.

Happy Happy

Toshiba is rather secretive with their documentation. It is hard to find. Google TOSHIBA SATELLITE A10 SERVICE MANUAL and check the available offerings.

You now have a 5400 RPM, ATA 100 drive. You should not have any drive size restrictions. Shops are advertising many large drives as compatible.

I suggest that you purchase only a 7200 RPM drive. The faster speed will perk your machine right up.

I have not worked on Toshiba machines but suggest you have all restore disks and passwords at hand.