Dell Inspiron Mini 10 SSD Swap

[FireSwordl]

Can you tell the model of the SSD you used? Perhaps it is 1.8"? Thanks in advance...

[x4metal2head0x]

The screen on my mini seems to display certain windows too large, like the wireless connection page. I've been right clicking the bar at the top, clicking move and navigating around with the arrow keys but this is annoying. I've seen several different people with the same problem on other websites but nobody seems to have an answer. Anybody know a way to fix this?

[HeyLookItsASpah]

haha, the hard drive just died on my mini 10

TIME TO DO THIS

[ctsmall1]

Nice video and instruction. Thanks for providing this. I didn't use Norton Ghost, I used Acronis True Imagine 2010 version and had success with that, but the hardware instruction was great.

[manduxx]

Thanks for the vid.. i was trying to open it from the back not under the keyboard !

[maniakk14]

Where did you buy the hard drive for it?

[saturnx311]

My daughter's mini 10 has a different concern: basically there seems tobe a loose connection in the display cable that takes out a color. When she tilts the display up or down, the color comes back. Could you please assist me in fixing that issue? TIA

[halo384]

i dont know too much of this but.... what can i do if i want to make this laptop with better graphics so i can run black ops or portal 2 bc the one tht i have dosent even runs halo ce with every graphic detail on! its slows down a lot! i was thinkin maybe because of the video card but idk how to change it! pls help!!

[uncpa]

Thank you so much for this video was extremely helpful

[pmocf4]

I just did this and i replaced the hard drive. Im now uploading the windows xp in a cd drive thats attached to it through usb ports. I have the CD in it and it says there is no operation system. What seems to be wrong?

[archivaldoisrael]

Thanks man... really help me a lot... From Mexico.

[CaptainIronhelm]

thanks! I needed to take out the hard drive so I could recover a partition. Didn't know it was from the keyboard side, thanks a lot!

[Paul20041]

Thanks for the tips :), Sisters laptops Hard drive failed yet again and the warrentee's out now :x. Saved me alot of trouble, sticky pads were a pain for the keyboard tho

[AlexkinSkywalker26]

Well done, thank you so much you taught me how can I do that, it was a good video thanks again...

[gavsmith1980]

thanks for the vid, made getting into my inspiron mini a much less damaging process!

[anthonypblackburn]

Hey my friend. My wife and I thank you for taking the time to make the on line community a better place.

[jrmym2]

Thanks for the help.

[shaolinwayz]

He states that you cannot upgrade the RAM. Yes you can upgrade the RAM. You have to flip the mobo upside down once you remove it from the unit. It isn't easy, but it is possible.

[rurounix86]

@shaolinwayz As far as I know, the ram on the Dell mini 1010's mobo is soldered in. Perhaps you're thinking of the Mini 10v?

[geraldlongjohn]

Thanks for posting this video - helped us repair my son's Dell Mini-10! Much appreciated...

[grimey079]

skip to 1:31

[nudepenguinnet]

You don't have to buy norton ghost just use a redobackup live cd it's a free download and burn to cd from redobackup org. It works better than any other backup software I've used and it will do many different kinds of backup including disk cloning.

[mihedas]

hi, i have an inspiron mini 10v ubuntu version, with a 8gb ssd, can i remove the ssd, and replace it with a 160 or 500 gb sata hd?

[fcondron]

Great video, very helpful - however, I'd caution anyone doing this to use the little drive tray that their original drive was in. In the video, he states it's not needed.  I didn't think so, either, and after about a week my Kingston SSD drive worked its way loose enough that the netbook wouldn't boot. I had to crack it back open and install the drive tray (which has a little screw to hold the drive in place). YMMV on if you need the drive tray.

[dorset47]

Learn from my mistake!! First, thanks for the video. I followed it and the drive is installed and working, BUT - I discovered that my Mini10 has a snap fit on each side of the keyboard. I removed the screws but, when trying to pop out the keyboard, I apparently twisted the assembly. After installing the SSD and reassembling the Mini, I found that a number of the keys had quit working. I took the keyboard out again and the aluminum plate that forms the back is visually uneven.

[julioscissors]

Great vid! Had to do this today at work, and I just followed right along with you!

[RiverRidgeAssoc]

Blue screen of death required HD replacement. Took only a few minutes after watching your video. THANK YOU!

[gilmorojamiro]

nice vid man! help me a lot :)

[craimo1411]

Thanks very helpful, also i contacted dell about the warranty and they said only the hard drive loses its warranty the laptops fine.

[adishno]

Thanks - you made it so easy to follow!

[scottcschneider]

This was insanely helpful. I had never seen a netbook cracked open (I'm used to "standard" laptop hardware) and was scratching my head once the screws on the back were out. Thanks much! Hard drive replaced in ten minutes.

[hellfier316]

man YOU ARE 100 % on right and eazy 2 understand and fallow =) thanks!!!!!!

[Maximzodal]

My granddaughter (helping while I stepped out for a moment) put in a password during setup but forgot it! Dell insisted the only way around this was to send a replacement drive. However, they included shipping both ways. Outstanding service for what was basically my mistake. This video helped me replace the drive almost effortlessly. The keyboard was a mite difficult to pop off as there were several adhesive pads underneath.

Thanks!

[lsa4786]

Glad the video helped you. That is strange that there were adhesive pads, in the 1st Gen units I didn't see sticky pads at all. I have had 3 different 1st Gen Mini 10's.

[mattdj313]

@Maximzodal - You don't need a replacement drive because of a forgotten password. Gosh Dell is stupid.

[fulonn]

@Maximzodal You were taken for a ride; there are a half dozen ways to fix this problem without paying Dell for a new drive.

[nemesis8722]

will this void any warrenty from dell?

[lsa4786]

Hmmm, there is no warning on the rear with any seal that I was aware of stating that it would be. Upgrading RAM or HDD/SSD is pretty common place. However, don't take my word for it, e-mail Dell and ask them, they will tell you.

[Daakuryu]

@nemesis8722 Usually Yes, the moment you need to use a screwdriver to access something you void the warranty.

[roxasmanable]

@nemesis8722 yes it says it will be void if removed or tampered or damaged on the back of the original hard drive

[MsGonzofamily]

You are a lifesaver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[uvmatt3000]

thanks so much for this vid. i have a friend over here in the UK who needs a new HDD installed on their Dell Mini 10. youve put my mind at rest. thank God people like you post instructional videos on Youtube! lol

[pbsdonaldduck]

Thanks very much for your help!

[mcneuschris]

As far as i could tell this one looks alot harder for hdd / sdd replacement then the new mini 10, do you know if that's correct? Thanks in advance!

[lsa4786]

I am not sure, I don't have a new mini 10. I guess one could look at the underneath side of the new units to see if they have a hatch. would be awesome if they did. but, in reality, it really isn't difficult to install on the old one.

[mcneuschris]

@lsa4786 Okay, well i think it should work pretty good, and I've read ram can be upgraded to 2 gigs. But is there any possibility to copy the whole system and such to a usbstick or maybe a (apple time capsule by preference) so that I don't need external dvd drive? Thanks for your reply by the way!

[lsa4786]

I know that you can boot from USB for Ubuntu maybe Fedora for installation, never really thought about copy HD to flashdrive. I would have to have a REALLY large flashdrive to be able to do that anyway. Honestly, a USB cd/dvd burner isn't that expensive and probably cheaper than a 32GB flashdrive or near the same cost.

[mcneuschris]

@lsa4786 or maybe an - external harddrive / backup drive -

[WBarts]

If you can not mount your HDD or SSD with screws or a bracket. Use a bit of Hot glue into two bumps and let cool. Just dont make a mess, you only need a very small amount. You can remove the hot glue in the future without damage.

[lsa4786]

FYI, I now have a different SSD that does fit within the bracket. But....you are right, that is not a bad idea, other suggested high-density foam as a bumper, etc. thanks for the suggestion for other, may come in handy.

[colbybikr]

thank you so much - this is exactly what i needed! (and the only place i found it)

[adamnasheed]

can u show mw how can I remove and change the hard driver of dell mini?

[lsa4786]

hmmm., my video does show you how to replace the hard drive on a mini 10 (for either SSD or standard HDD). If you have a more specific question, I will try to answer.

[SDGREENDYKE]

Thanks, it was a piece of cake - evan a caveman could do it.  Spence

[racer140]

For those of you trying to do this and cannot get the keyboard to pop out. There are some "snaps" in the frame that also hold the keyboard in. I flipped mine upsidedown and tapped on the bottom. This let the keyboard slide out enough for me to get a finger between the keyboard and the computer. I then gently pulled on the sides untill it let go. I was then able to proceed with the directions as shown. Make sure that when you put the keyboard back you push on the sides and hear them pop back.

[haddog65]

Can you do the same with the mini 10V regarding swapping the drive with an SSD?

[lsa4786]

honestly, I don't now, I would assume that if is a SATA drive, you can replace it with SSD. Make sure that you get a good quality SSD, cheaper is NOT better all of the time. You just won't believe the fact that the machine will be TOTALLY silent, no hum, no whine and almost no heat

[hsolis02]

muchas gracias!... It was the best answer! Thank you!

[lady6397]

I want to thank you so much for this vedio there is nothing eles online and i was going crazy ,,my daughter was drivin me nutts about fixing it ,, thank u so much

[Yoshi5111]

Curious to how you managed to get Norton Ghost to copy it while the OS is running. Or did you use a boot CD like Ubuntu?

[lsa4786]

Norton Ghost will give you the option to copy the MBR (check the box) when you copy. But honestly, the BEST drive-copy software that I have used since is Acronis True Image, hands down better and less expensive. However, both of these programs do exactly what they are supposed to and work great.

[tannercarr86]

thxs so much your the only person i've found so far that has shown me how to access the guts. Thxs

[TheIctwizard]

what kind of hard drive is it is it e-sata?

[lsa4786]

It is actually only a SATA. Love it, very fast, doesn't even make a hum.

[TheIctwizard]

thanks!

[blackneos940]

@lsa4786 This laptop ROCKS! Thank you SO much. My step-mom and me unscrewed all screws and STILL not get it open. ;) Just for being so awesum, I'm going to subscribe to u.

[caiogti]

Ur Mini 10 is Atom or Z530?

[lsa4786]

Atom

[voineadragos]

great info. Thank you

[Azclepio]

Thanks, man, i did not know where the HDD was

[rrowello]

Awesome video...you had me swapped and up and running in 10 minutes!

[halflifeforever]

I wish the ram could be upgraded :(

[3yE]

I really would suggest jamming a piece of rubber to the side of the SSD so that it really cannot go anywhere.

[lsa4786]

I actually have a different SSD in there right now than the Pelican Drive that is shown being installed. It actually uses the same drive-railing system from the original HDD and therefore is bolted to the frame the same as the original, the Pelican was too "fat" to fit into the original rail.

[bluejic]

what is the difference between a normal hard drive and a solid state hard drive??? please can someone message back as i am getting one shortly....

[lsa4786]

One uses the normal spinning hard drive and the other uses a flash RAM, kinda' like what you find in iPod Nano's, iPhone's, etc. They make no noise, minimal to no heat, use less energy/battery and are FAST!

[3yE]

SSDs are expensive drives which work on Flash semiconductor memory, same as USB thumbdrives and SD memory cards. They don't have any moving parts, no noise and zero seek time. The transfer rate for large files might be lower than with HDDs, nonetheless programs usually load quicker. Power consumption is much lower on average, thus better battery run time.

HDDs are magnetic drives with moving heads and spinning platters, you can get a lot of storage cheaply on them.

[VladimirEnd]

good video 5/5

I heard that the new mini 10 can get 2GB of ram (optional). My mini 10 was bought on may, do you know if dell changed the "welded ram" issue. I wonder if the new version with 2 gigs has also the ram welded.

[lsa4786]

I don't know, I know mine can't be upgraded, which sucks. But, even with all of the drawbacks, netbooks serve a very specific purpose. Kinda the difference between a scalpel and a bowie knife. Both are knives, but, different uses.

[adonian]

nice and simple, thanks.

I know you like ssd, which is nice, no moving parts (got a 32 in my mini9), but for liss than $100. you can get 500gb TONS OF STORAGE. Just my opinion, but thanks for the how to since I just ordered a 10v and I have a 500gb waiting for it ;)

[InstrumentalDiaz]

Dude,you can get an 250GB harddrive for $130

[cubanito37]

Thank you so much for making this video. It helped a lot.

[Tiaun176]

AAAAH! you broke my companion..jk jk..good vid

[YogiBiker]

Did you do any before and after performance benchmarks?

Thanks for the vid.

Bill

[lsa4786]

If you are talking true software monitored benchmarks, no...however, I can honestly say that it took about 3.5 minutes for the computer to boot up and for the hard-drive to stop "grinding". I don't think I could ever go back to a traditional hard drive after using SSD's, they are just faster and SO silent. I mean NO noise, not even a hum.

[zeebzeeb11]

I just chose the 32gb ssd upgrade

[HelloMarco]

Hmm, I was thinking about buying the model that comes with just 8GB of flash storage then putting an SSD in (don't want to pay extra for Windows XP or a hard drive, neither of which I'll use). Don't suppose you know if that's possible or not?

[mhnd1976]

Great help, I need it to change my hard drive, Thank you.

[usairman8806]

Awesome video!! This gave me WAY MORE INFO than the Dell guys located in India. I received my mini 10 all jacked up and spent about 50 minutes with these guys trying to explain this easy 2 minute process. Anyway Thanks

[samchilla]

Awesome video thankyou.

[lsa4786]

it is expensive, and actually, after I shot this video, I returned that drive and bought an Intel X25, which is even faster.  It was about $325USD, almost the cost of the computer itself, however, if I ever get rid of this computer or upgrade to something else, I can still use the SSD as long as it is SATA.

[lsa4786]

oh, def. the mini 10. especially because the mini 10 has larger screen and HDMI output. I have mine plugged into a 22in. HD monitor.

[yamashitariki]

Thank you for posting this! It has allowed me to develop a well-inform decision. I was caught between the Dell Inspiron Mini 10v vs the Mini 9.

[SteveBIRK]

does the battery last longer now that it has the SSD in it?

[lsa4786]

yes, but not the "50% extra" that some people state. It is about 10%. The main reason I swapped is NO noise (my computer is totally silent), NO heat and the computer boots up in about 10 seconds and shuts down in 5 seconds! Also, opening most programs like Word, Outlook, etc. is almost instantaneous.

[mipfer]

That's really nice benefits. But a 200USD upgrade, its still very expensive in my opinion.

[adonian]

the empty pci-e slot on the top is for your 3g cards like at&t. the slot below the hard drive is for a pci-e tv tuner.

[lsa4786]

beginning of video states incorrectly that mini 10 has hatch and mini 9 does not, it should be switched around. This is a mini 10 which does NOT have hatch. It was early in the morning and no coffee :-)