How To: Swap MSI Wind HDD For WD Passport External - Overclock.net

CapDubOh · 10-04-08

Warning: Performing the actions listed below will void the warranty of your MSI Wind Netbook and WD Passport Essential. I take no responsibility for you damaging your MSI Wind or external HDD as a result of viewing this guide. You must have some form of external drive to re-install your OS of choice.

Hello folks! Today I swapped out the 80GB HDD that came with my MSI Wind for a 250GB HDD that is part of the Western Digital Passport Essential external HDD system. There are some other guides out there that outline both disassembly of the WD Passport and disassembly of the MSI Wind in order to upgrade the internal HDD. I will do my best to combine the two processes into one how to in this post.

You may ask yourself, "Why would I want to buy a Passport external when I could just upgrade the HDD with an internal HDD?" Upgrading the HDD with a WD Passport allows you to install the original 80GB HDD into the Passport enclosure. Now you have a 250GB internal HDD and an 80GB external for the price of one.

Part One: Disassembly of the WD Passport External HDD System

The Passport assembly is made up of 3 major parts. There is the glossy black outer case, the inner HDD housing, and the HDD itself.

First, begin by picking a side you wish to work on first. I chose the long edge. You should begin by prying the outer case away from the HDD housing with your finger nail. After you can get one of the clasps to release, slide a credit card in between the outer case and the HDD housing.

Be careful not to break any of the clasps.

Next, move to the other side of the HDD housing and do the same thing.

Continue to pry the outer case away from the HDD housing until you release all of the clasps. The HDD housing should slide out of the outer case easily.

Next, Slide the HDD out of the metal case, and remove the SATA to USB adapter from the HDD. It might take a little working to remove it but be patient and careful. It will slide off just like any other SATA connector.

Now you are ready to begin disassembly of the MSI Wind.

Part Two: Disassembly of the MSI Wind and removal/installation of the HDD

Start first by flipping the Wind to it's back side and removing the battery.

Next, remove the nine (9) screws that secure the back side of the case.

It should be noted that one of the nine screws is under this sticker.

There are two locking clasps up near where the battery compartment is. A light pull will release them. Start on one side of the Wind and pull the case up and out away from the various ports. Be carefull not to damage any of the ports while removing the case. Once you have one side of the case released, begin the same process on the other side. The case should now be comepletely removed.

The first piece of hardware we have to remove is the Mini PCIe WiFi card pictured here.

There is a small piece of tape covering up the screw that must be peeled back. This will reveal the scew holding the card into place. Remove it.

Next, simply pull the card from the connector. There is no need to remove the connecting wires from the card. Simply move the card to the side.

Under the WiFi card there is a screw holding down the HDD assembly. Remove it.

Pull the HDD assembly out of the SATA Port.

Here is a picture of the two HDDs side by side. There are identical with the exception of the capacity.

Next, remove the HDD bracket and install it on to the new HDD.

Slide the new HDD into the SATA port and replace the screw that holds down the assembly.

Next, re-install the PCIe WiFi card and replace the scew that holds it into place.

Now you are ready to replace the back cover of the Wind. Line up all of the screw holes and ports and snap the two clasps up near the battery compartment back into place.

BAM! Now you have an MSI Wind with a 160GB/250GB/320GB HDD!

Part Three: Install the 80 GB HDD into your WD Passport external case.

First, slide the SATA to USB connector on to your HDD.

Next, replace the rubber sound dampeners and slide the HDD in to the metal assembly.

Place the metal HDD assembly back into the HDD housing. Make sure the Mini USB port lines up with the access point in the housing. At last, slide the HDD housing back in to the outer casing and snap all of the clasps in to place.

And that's it!

Now you have a Wind with a large HDD and a very portable 80GB HDD!

If anyone has things they would like to add or any questions about the procedure, don't hesitate to ask!