• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Servicing a FujitsuSiemens LifeBook P7010

I

imported_BikeDude

Senior member
I've never owned a computer before that I couldn't service myself. My first "proper" computer (after the initial exposure to the small toys of the time) was an old original IBM PC and eventually I needed to upgrade it. Long story short, someone at IBM sent me a new BIOS (version dated Oct 27th 1982 -- when they started scanning for external BIOSes during POST) and the location of the chip I was supposed to replace.

Since then I've always done things myself.

Except now it seems. In December I bought my very first notebook. It struck me that it would be a good idea to ghost the hard drive and have a spare drive handy in case disaster struck. I use it mostly as a picture storage facility and immediately burn backups onto DVDs, but when the hard drive fails the notebook will be dead in the water until I can find someone to do the service for me. On my last trip I spent four weeks in Tanzania and three of those weeks were spent inside various national parks. Needless to say, FujitsuSiemens do not have any service facilities in the national parks (even not in Serengeti). OTOH, it's no bother for me to bring a spare drive and some tools.

But how do I actually open the thing and get started? After removing a dozen screws I'm still no closer to the answer. This thing is very compact and I don't dare use blunt force to pry it open, yet I fear that's the solution.

Tips, anyone?
 
I'm surprised that your notebook did not come with a manual. Hard drive replacement, in most machines, is a user authorized action, and is usually covered. Most are accessed via a removable plate on the bottom. Many come in a sort of caddy, and that is what is removed. Then you remove the olkd drive from the caddy and replace it. Memory chips are also user replaceable. And some times accessory drives are modular and slide out.
 
Good thing that you asked about the manual -- I haven't looked at it before! (partly because it only exists as a .pdf, but also because I've barely looked in the box)

http://www.fujitsupc.com/www/content/pd...es/P7010,P7010D_PUMPKIN_USERSGUIDE.PDF is big (100 pages), but fails to mention where the hard drive is located.

The memory dimms are easily accessible (I found them pretty fast on my own), but there's no similar compartment for the hard drive.
 
Check the Fujitsu P series forums at leog.net, there may be some instructions how to replace the hard drive or you can ask the people there.

IIRC Fujitsu (at least in the USA) does not consider the hard drive to be user replaceable, that was one of the reasons why I didn't get this notebook. I am not sure about other countries (if your laptop is Fujitsu-Siemens branded, it is not the North American version; I know that they sell it as Fujitsu-Siemens for example in Europe).
 
Originally posted by: BikeDude
The memory dimms are easily accessible (I found them pretty fast on my own), but there's no similar compartment for the hard drive.
Click to expand...

OK - I have run into other models where the HDD is not made accessible - and it usually requires lifting the keyboard to get at it. That can be very tricky, and is hardware specific. The Fujitsu forum is a good bet - probably someone there has done it.

 
Thanks aux and corkyg!

I've already e-mailed FS' tech support guys and they claim they don't even know how to do this and that this is a non-user replaceable part.

I'll try the leog.net forums.
 
Non user-replaceable ususally means that replacing it on your own will void the warranty, you may want to check this with Fujitsu-Siemens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top