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Toshiba Satellite L455 HDD & RAM Upgrade Guide
How to upgrade a Toshiba Satellite L455 series laptop computer by replacing the hard disk drive and RAM memory.

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Toshiba L455-S5980
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Turn Over Satellite Laptop
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Unlock Battery
This "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners of the Toshiba Satellite L455-S5980 laptop computer in replacing the hard disk drive and RAM memory modules.

Owners of other L455 series laptops or similar Toshiba notebook computers such as the L300, L305, L355, L500, L505, L515, L550, L555, L630, L635 and L640 models may also find this guide to be helpful.

The Toshiba L455-S5980 is equipped with 2 GB of DDR2 800MHz RAM memory and a 250 GB 5400 RPM 2.5" SATA hard drive.

For better performance it could be upgraded with a maximum of 8 GB (two 4 GB sticks) of DDR2 PC2-6400 RAM and either a faster 7400 RPM 2.5" SATA HD or a much faster SSD (solid state drive).

The only tools needed to complete this upgrade are a small Phillips head screwdriver and a small flathead screw driver.



 
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Battery Release Lever
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Remove Battery Pack
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Unscrew RAM Cover
The first step is to turn the laptop upside down and set it on a stable surface.

To avoid scratching the laptop's lid, you could first lay down a soft t-shirt or towel on the table or desk.

Then unlock the battery pack by sliding the lock switch and remove the battery by sliding the release switch on the other side.

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RAM Cover Removed
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Single 2GB Module
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Release RAM Clips
The black plastic rectangular RAM memory cover is located at the center of the laptop. Remove the cover by loosening the single Phillips head screw and pulling it up using the notch near the screw hole.

Release the single 2 GB RAM memory module by pushing outwards on the two metal and tan plastic RAM module retaining arms with a small flathead screwdriver.

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RAM Chip Pops Up
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Remove Old RAM
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Two Memory Slots
The old 2 GB RAM module will pop up at an angle once the two retaining arms have been released. Carefully pull out the old RAM module from the slot.

Take note of how the old memory module has a notch in it that corresponds with the gap in gold contacts in the RAM slots.



 

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Install New RAM
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Push Down To Lock RAM
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Replace RAM Cover
Insert the first new RAM chip into the lower of the 2 memory slots with the notch in the correct position and push it down to engage the two retaining arms. Then install the 2nd RAM chip into the upper slot and push it down to lock it in place.

Replace the RAM memory access panel and tighten the single Phillips head screw.

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Tighten Single Screw
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Hard Disk Drive Cover
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Remove 2 Phillips Screws
The hard disk drive access cover is located at the back corner of the laptop opposite the cooling fan. Remove the two Phillips head screws with the screwdriver and pull off the HDD cover.
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Remove HDD Cover
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2.5" Hard Drive Tray
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Pull Black Plastic Tab
To remove the silver metal hard drive tray, grasp the black plastic pull tab and slide it towards the outside edge of the laptop body.
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Lift Up HDD Tray
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Hitachi 250 GB 2.5" SATA
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Remove 4 Tray Screws
Lift the hard drive tray out of the laptop and remove the four Phillips head screws that hold the hard drive to the tray.
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Remove HD From Tray
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Insert New HDD In Tray
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Slide In Hard Drive Tray
Remove the old hard drive from the tray and insert the new 7200 RPM drive or SSD drive in to the tray in the same orientation.

Carefully tighten the four Phillips head screws to secure the new hard drive in the tray. Do not over tighten the screws to avoid damaging the new drive.

Insert the hard drive tray into the HDD bay with the label down and the ventilated metal side facing up towards you. Slide the tray towards the center of the laptop to connect the SATA drive.

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Push To Connect Drive
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Replace Hard Drive Cover
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Tighten Two Screws
Replace the hard drive cover and tighten the two Phillips head screws.
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Insert Battery Pack
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Slide Battery Lock Switch
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Loading Up Windows 7
Insert the battery pack and slide the lock switch to secure it in place.

Turn on the laptop and install Windows 7 or your other operating system of choice if you installed a new hard drive. If the laptop won't turn on, try re-seating the RAM modules and re-inserting the hard drive tray.

For more of my related DIY guides or technology reviews, please click on the following links: HP Pavilion Laptop HDD & RAM Upgrade Guide, DirecPath Internet Provider Review, Samsung AT&T Captivate i897 Smartphone Review, Acer ZIF Hard Drive Replacement Guide, Acer AS1410 Netbook RAM Upgrade Guide, Toshiba A505 Hard Drive & RAM Upgrade Guide, Acer Aspire One 10.1" Netbook Hard Drive & RAM Memory Upgrade Guide, Toshiba Satellite A505 i7 Win 7 Laptop Review, Laptop To HDTV Via HDMI CAT6 Cable Extender, Pacsafe TravelSafe Security Bag Review, Acer AS1410 Netbook Review, Toshiba A105 Laptop Hard Drive & RAM Upgrade Guide, and Toshiba A105 Dust Removal Guide.
 

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