Cost to replace a failing hard drive

[DarkSoulsGuy]

I recently dropped my laptop and now I get a short dst error. I've been told the only solution is to replace my hard drive, I want to know how much a replacement will be for my hard drive. Thanks in advance.

[Huffer]

Where do you live (country)? The market varies a bit but if you live in a major US city and can do the labor yourself it is somewhere between $50 and $150, depending on the size and speed and quality of the drive you choose for a replacement. let us know if you need a service manual and a link to buy a drive. 

[DarkSoulsGuy]

I live in the United States and yes I'd like a link to buy a drive. Thanks for the reply.

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Here is the Service Manual:

Manual

Page 40-46 shows the process.

You have a 5400 rpm 500 gig hard drive and here is a like kind replacement. 

https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Momentus-5400RPM-Internal-ST9500325AS-Bare/dp/B001R4BBL0/ref=sr_1_2?i...

$43.75. 

This is not your exact model but essentially the same operation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd5FdeF3PP8

If your budget can handle it I might recommend a solid state drive. Your laptop has a low end processor and could benefit quite a bit from a faster disk drive. Post back if you want to explore options. Had you already upgraded to Windows 10? If so software reinstallation will be pretty easy. 

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

[Tavalah]

I have an HP Elitebook 8540w that needs a new hard drive.  I need to do it as cheaply as possible, and I am willing to do the work myself, if possible.  

[Huffer]

Please start your own question and we can certainly help you out. Prices have come down since 2016.