Full Guide: Acer Aspire One Hard Drive Replacement Made Easy

Is your Acer Aspire One running out of storage or experiencing hard drive issues? Replacing the hard drive is easier! This detailed guide walks you through every step of the process, ensuring your laptop is back in action with improved performance in no time.

By @Rosie Last Updated November 21, 2024

Performing the Acer Aspire On hard drive replacement may seem daunting, but it’s a straightforward process with the right guidance. Whether you're upgrading for more storage or replacing a failing drive, following these steps will help you complete the task efficiently.

Preparations for the Replacement

Before replacing a hard drive, cloning your current drive to the new one  can save you time, effort, and potential frustration. Instead of starting from scratch, cloning replicates your entire disk, applications, settings, and personal files—onto the new drive, ensuring a seamless transition. This process eliminates the need to reinstall everything manually, reducing downtime and the risk of data loss.

Here are the primary benefits of cloning a hard drive:

Preserve Your System Exactly as It Is

Cloning creates an exact copy of your current drive. This means your operating system, installed programs, and personal settings will function exactly as they did on the old drive. There’s no need to reconfigure your system after the replacement.

Save Time and Effort

Without cloning, you’d have to install a fresh operating system, download and configure all your applications, and restore your files manually. Cloning bypasses these steps, getting your system up and running quickly.

Minimize Data Loss Risks

During a manual replacement, there’s always a chance that important files may be lost or overlooked. Cloning ensures a complete transfer of data, reducing the risk of losing valuable information.

Hassle-Free System Upgrades

Whether you’re upgrading to a larger drive for more storage or switching to a faster SSD, cloning makes the process smoother by allowing you to retain your current setup on the new hardware.

Best Solution for Cloning Your Hard Drive

Among various tools available for hard drive cloning, AOMEI Backupper Professional stands out as a top choice due to its reliability, user-friendly interface, and advanced features. Here’s why it’s an ideal solution:

AOMEI Backupper
Powerful Hard Drive Cloning Software

  • System Clone: Perfect for migrating your entire operating system to a new drive without reinstalling Windows.

  • Disk Clone: Copies your entire hard drive, including partitions and hidden files, to the new disk.

  • Partition Clone: Transfers specific partitions if you don’t need to clone the entire drive.

  • Support for Diverse Scenarios: Supports both HDD and SSD cloning, ensuring compatibility with different drive types.

Download Demo Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7
100% Secure

Simple Steps to Clone Your Hard Drive

Open AOMEI Backupper, then click on Clone from the main menu and select Disk Clone.

Select your old hard drive as the Source Disk for the cloning process.

Choose your new hard drive as the Destination Disk.

Notes:✎...
Be aware that cloning will erase all data on the new SSD, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

Enable the SSD Alignment option to optimize the drive’s read and write performance. Once ready, click Start Clone to begin the cloning process.

By following these steps, you can easily transfer all your data from the old hard drive to the new one without any hassle.

Step by Step to Replace Hard Drive on Acer Aspire One

After you have successfully cloned your hard drive, you can then proceed with Acer Aspire One notebook hard drive replacement. Follow the steps below: 

Step 1: Power Down and Ground Yourself

  1. Shut off the laptop by pressing and holding the power button.
  2. Disconnect the power cord and any connected network cables.
Tips: Wear an antistatic wrist strap and clip it to an unpainted, grounded metal surface.

Step 2: Remove the Battery

  1. Flip the laptop so the battery faces upward.
  2. Slide the battery lock to the “unlock” position by pressing down on its tabs.
  3. Push the battery release button and slide the battery out of the device.

Step 3: Remove the Keyboard

  1. Turn the laptop right side up.
  2. Use a plastic opening tool to pry up the latch above the F8 key.
  3. Continue prying along the top to unlock all five latches holding the keyboard.
  4. Lift the keyboard from the top, exposing the flat cable underneath.
  5. Disconnect the flat cable and place the keyboard on a clean surface.

Step 4: Remove the Base Cover

  1. Unscrew all screws underneath the keyboard using a Phillips screwdriver. (Note: Ten screws are M2x8, and three are M2x4.)
  2. Flip the laptop over and press the “door release” tab at the bottom right.
  3. Remove the base cover by unscrewing three screws near the battery area.

Step 5: Remove the Hard Drive

  1. Flip the laptop back over and locate the hard drive (a silver rectangular piece with a label).
  2. Lift the hard drive from the side opposite the cable and slide it to the right.
  3. Disconnect the cable connecting the hard drive to the mainboard.
  4. Place the removed hard drive on a flat, clean, dry surface.

Step 6: Install the New Hard Drive

  1. Attach a mounting bracket to the new drive, if required.
  2. Slide the replacement drive into the SATA connector, ensuring a secure fit.
  3. Reattach any brackets or screws to secure the new hard drive in place.

Step 7: Reassemble the Laptop

  1. Replace the hard drive bay panel and secure it with screws.
  2. Reinsert the battery into the laptop.
  3. Turn the laptop upright and reconnect the power adapter.

Additional Tips:

  • Upgrade to an SSD for faster performance and better reliability.
  • Ensure the replacement drive is compatible with your laptop’s size (typically 2.5") and connector type (SATA).

If you think the above guide is not clear enough, please watch the following step-by-step tutorial video.

Your Turn

Replacing the hard drive in your Acer Aspire One is a manageable task when approached step by step. By cloning your old drive to the new one before starting the replacement, you can ensure that your system, settings, and files are preserved, minimizing downtime and the risk of data loss. The process of cloning itself is simple with reliable tools like AOMEI Backupper, which makes transferring your entire system to a new drive quick and hassle-free.

Remember to take your time during each step, and don't hesitate to consult video tutorials or support resources if needed. With the right preparation and tools, this upgrade can breathe new life into your device, improving both its functionality and speed.