Toshiba Satellite (C50) SSD Upgrade: Beginners’ Guide

Why upgrade Toshiba Satellite to SSD?

Toshiba Satellite is a well-known line of consumer laptops that has been popular for many years due to its blend of performance, affordability, and versatility. Some Satellite models like C50, C55 and C640 come with HDD while some Satellite models like Radius and P50-C come with SSD. If your Satellite laptop is using an HDD, you may want to upgrade it to an SSD for the following reasons:

• Faster Boot Times: SSDs dramatically reduce the time it takes for the laptop to boot up, often from minutes to just seconds.
• Quicker File Access: Files and applications load much faster, improving productivity and reducing wait times.
• Enhanced System Responsiveness: The overall responsiveness of the laptop improves, making tasks like multitasking and running complex software smoother.
• Better Data Integrity: SSDs are less prone to data corruption and offer better data integrity over time.

Then, how to do Toshiba Satellite laptop SSD upgrade? Please continue reading.

Prepare for Toshiba Satellite laptop SSD upgrade

To upgrade hard drive on your Toshiba Satellite laptop, you should do the following preparations:

1. Choose the right SSD

Ensure you get the correct size and interface (e.g., 2.5-inch SATA) compatible with your Toshiba Satellite model. Also, choose a capacity that meets your storage needs.

2. Gather necessary tools

The tools you need include a small Phillips-head screwdriver, a plastic pry tool (optional, but helpful) and an external enclosure or SATA-to-USB adapter.

3. Backup your data

Use an external hard drive or cloud storage to backup important files. This ensures your data is safe in case something goes wrong during the upgrade.

* Please note the target SSD will be overwritten during the cloning process. Thus, if the target SSD is not a brand new SSD but contains some data, backup it as well.

How to do Toshiba Satellite (C50) SSD upgrade

Take Satellite C50 as an example. Learn how to upgrade HDD on Toshiba Satellite laptop without reinstalling Windows and applications as follows.

Copy HDD to SSD

To clone your existing HDD to the new SSD, you can turn to AOMEI Backupper Professional, a specialized disk cloning software.

Download this HDD/SSD cloning software now and follow the instructions below to copy HDD to SSD:

Step 1. Use a SATA-to-USB adapter or an external enclosure to connect the SSD to your laptop via a USB port.

Step 2. Install and open AOMEI Backupper. In the main interface, click on the Clone tab and then select Disk Clone.

Step 3. Choose your current HDD as Source Disk and the new SSD as Destination Disk in order.

Step 4. (Optional) On the Operation Summary page, check the source and destination disk information. You can see the disk number, partition style and disk size. Use Edit Partitions if you are in the following situations:

#1. The destination disk is larger than the source disk.

In this case, please choose Add unused space to all partitions or Manually adjust partition size under Edit Partitions to make full use of the storage space on the destination disk.

#2. The destination disk is in a different partition style from the source disk.

In this case, please check Convert the destination disk from MBR (GPT) to GPT (MBR) to make the destination disk’s partition style consistent with the source disk’s. This ensures a successful boot after cloning.

Step 5. Check SSD Alignment box to speed up the target SSD and click on Start Clone to begin the cloning process.

Replace HDD with SSD

After data migration, you can replace the old HDD with the new SSD.

1. Power Off and Unplug

Shut down your laptop completely and unplug it from any power sources.

2. Remove the Battery (if possible)

If your model has a removable battery, take it out to avoid any electrical issues during the upgrade.

3. Access the HDD Bay

• Locate the service panel on the bottom of the laptop. It’s usually held in place by a few screws.
• Use the Phillips-head screwdriver to remove these screws and take off the panel.

4. Remove the Existing HDD

Carefully disconnect the HDD from its connectors and lift it out of the bay. Note how it’s positioned for proper reinstallation.

5. Install the New SSD

• Insert the SSD into the same bay, making sure it’s properly aligned with the connectors.
• Secure the SSD with the same screws used for the HDD.

6. Reassemble the Laptop

• Replace the service panel and secure it with the screws.
• Reinstall the battery if you removed it earlier.

7. Boot Up

Power on your laptop. Your laptop should boot normally from the cloned SSD.

FAQs about Toshiba Satellite SSD upgrade

1. Is my Toshiba Satellite compatible with an SSD? Answer: Most Toshiba Satellite laptops are compatible with 2.5-inch SATA SSDs. Check your laptop’s specifications or user manual to confirm compatibility.

2. How do I ensure optimal performance from my SSD? Answer: Ensure AHCI mode is enabled in the BIOS. Disable disk defragmentation. Enable TRIM support. Update all relevant drivers.

3. Will upgrading to an SSD void my laptop’s warranty? Answer: This depends on the specific warranty terms of your laptop. Generally, upgrading storage or memory does not void the warranty, but it’s best to check the warranty policy or contact Toshiba support for confirmation.

4. Can I keep my old HDD after upgrading to an SSD? Answer: Yes, you can use the old HDD as an external storage device by placing it in an external enclosure or use it as a secondary drive if your laptop supports multiple drives.

The end

Doing Toshiba Satellite SSD upgrade brings numerous benefits, including faster performance, increased reliability, and improved energy efficiency. This upgrade can breathe new life into an older laptop, making it more capable of handling modern computing tasks.

If you want to clone your existing HDD to the new SSD to keep your current operating system and files intact, you can resort to the best disk cloning software – AOMEI Backupper. In fact, AOMEI Backupper is still professional Windows backup software. Don’t hesitate to try it out by yourself!