Replace hard drive in CF-SX2?

When I bought my SX2 from an authorized dealer, I had it upgraded to a 500GB SSD drive. It has been working fine, including after MS upgraded the OS to Windows 10 without asking me first.

Now I'd like to replace the drive with a 1TB SSD drive. I have no idea if this is easy or hard mechanically. I'm not worried about cloning the drive. I've done that many times on different machines, including an older Toughbook.

I can't find any info about replacing a hard drive. Nor can I find a free source for a service manual.

Any advice?

 

I'm going to say is going to be a bugger, here is a photo of a damaged unit. Looks like you need to split the case.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Panasonic-...640342?hash=item5b41a95516:g:w1YAAOSweZJaLow1

 

I just spoke with my original dealer, MooringTech. They said the drive is replaced through a slot under the battery. There is one screw to remove. Then there is a tab to pull the drive sleeve and drive out.

The one potential problem is if the tab is missing. Then it's a ***** to get the drive out.

I still have 6 weeks to go on my 3 year warranty. My touchpad is getting a bit . . . touchy. I think I'll see if Panasonic can do something on the touchpad first. Then, when my warranty has run out, I'll try the drive myself.

MooringTech also said they could help me if it does turn out to be something I cannot do.

 

Excellent, I had a similar unit a few years back and it came out that way, not real obvious to say the least.

 

I'll report back when I've done it Though doesn't seem to be much interest in the SX2. I love mine, but Panasonic pretty much abandoned it while many were still in vendors' inventory.

They never come out with Windows 10 drivers, the subject of a different thread here. Nonetheless, Microsoft pushed it out. It worked fine right from the start.

 

My SX2 is still with the warranty repair company since Jan. 9 . They hope to have replacement parts from the factory by the end of the month.

So much for 2 day turnaround for repairs.

 

Warranty repair company. That sounds like an aftermarket warranty and not the Panasonic one.

 

SUCCESS!

I got my laptop back from Heartland ("a Panasonic company") two days ago. They said they had been waiting on parts from the factory. So I could then turn to replacing the hard drive.

safn1949 - it turned out to be easy, but not obviously so. The problem was that the existing drive was very tight and I was afraid to pull too hard on the plastic tab. In the end, a helpful tech at BobJohnson.com said that yes, it was tight, but just pry it out gently with a small, flat head screwdriver.

Indeed, that's what it took. So having done it once, I now could replace an SX2 hard drive in less than 5 minutes. That doesn't count moving software, of course.