I'm trying to install Windows fresh on my new NVMe SSD, but the old Windows installation on my HDD is causing issues. Some users suggested that I should remove the HDD completely during the installation. I'm a bit lost because my laptop has two cables near the HDD: one for the SSD and one for the HDD. Do I need to disconnect those cables, or should I just take out the entire HDD? My goal is to use the HDD as a secondary drive later for storing large files. I own an HP Laptop 15s-du1053TU. If anyone needs to see photos to help me out, let me know! Sorry if my explanation isn't perfect—English isn't my first language.
1 Answer
It's often a good idea to check if your laptop's manufacturer provides a repair manual online. This manual usually shows how to safely disassemble your laptop for installing new components. If you're comfortable doing that, you can pull out the HDD or just disconnect its data cable. Since you're not sure about your model, this should help clarify how to proceed.
If you can't find a manual, I recommend checking if you can access your laptop's BIOS/UEFI settings. Sometimes, you can temporarily disable the SATA ports that link to the HDD, sparing you from having to open the laptop.
I couldn't find a manual for this model either. Do you have any specific advice on where to look?