Question:

What are the best options for increasing the storage capacity of my LENOVO S21e laptop (from pre-2017) within a budget of $100? I have already tried deleting unnecessary files, rebooting the system, and transferring data to a flash drive, but I still need more space. I also want to know how to access the files from my other laptops with broken screens. I am planning to upgrade to a desktop PC soon, but I need to use this laptop for my daily work until then. Please explain the steps and tools required to solve this problem. Thank you..

Answer:

How to Increase the Storage Capacity of Your LENOVO S21e Laptop (from pre-2017) Within a Budget of $100

If you are using a LENOVO S21e laptop (from pre-2017) and you are running out of storage space, you might be wondering what are the best options to increase your storage capacity within a budget of $100. You might have already tried deleting unnecessary files, rebooting the system, and transferring data to a flash drive, but you still need more space. You might also want to know how to access the files from your other laptops with broken screens. In this article, we will explain the steps and tools required to solve this problem.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to increase the storage capacity of your laptop is to replace the internal hard drive with a larger one. The LENOVO S21e laptop (from pre-2017) comes with a 32 GB eMMC flash storage, which is not very spacious and not easily upgradable. However, you can replace it with a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive or solid state drive (SSD) of your choice, as long as it is compatible with your laptop’s specifications. You can find many hard drives and SSDs with capacities ranging from 120 GB to 2 TB within your budget of $100 on online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.

To replace the internal hard drive, you will need to follow these steps:

• Back up your data. Before you remove the old hard drive, make sure you back up your important data to an external drive or a cloud service. You can use Windows Backup and Restore or a third-party software like EaseUS Todo Backup to do this.
• Shut down your laptop and remove the battery. To avoid any damage or short circuit, make sure you shut down your laptop and remove the battery before you open the case. You can also use an anti-static wrist strap to prevent static electricity from harming your laptop components.
• Open the case and remove the old hard drive. You will need a Phillips screwdriver to open the case and remove the screws that secure the hard drive. You can refer to this or this [user manual] for more details on how to do this. Carefully disconnect the hard drive from the motherboard and take it out of the case.
• Install the new hard drive. Place the new hard drive in the same slot as the old one and connect it to the motherboard. Secure it with the screws and close the case. Reinsert the battery and turn on your laptop.
• Reinstall Windows and restore your data. You will need a Windows installation disc or a bootable USB drive to reinstall Windows on your new hard drive. You can use the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive with the latest version of Windows 10. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows and activate it with your product key. After that, you can restore your data from your backup source.

Option 2: Use an External Hard Drive or a Flash Drive

Another option to increase the storage capacity of your laptop is to use an external hard drive or a flash drive. This is a more convenient and less risky option, as you don’t have to open your laptop or replace any components. You can simply plug in an external hard drive or a flash drive to one of the USB ports of your laptop and use it as an additional storage device. You can store your files, photos, videos, music, and other data on the external drive and access them whenever you need them. You can also use the external drive to back up your data or transfer them to another device.

There are many external hard drives and flash drives available in the market with different capacities, speeds, and features. You can choose one that suits your needs and budget. For example, you can get a 1 TB external hard drive for around $50 or a 256 GB flash drive for around $30 on Amazon or eBay. You can also look for external drives that are compatible with USB 3.0 or USB-C ports, which offer faster data transfer rates than USB 2.0 ports.

To use an external hard drive or a flash drive, you will need to follow these steps:

• Format the external drive. Before you use the external drive, you might need to format it to make it compatible with your laptop and Windows. You can use the Windows Disk Management tool or a third-party software like EaseUS Partition Master to do this. You can choose the file system (NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, etc.) and the partition style (MBR or GPT) according to your preference. Be careful not to format the wrong drive or you might lose your data.
• Connect the external drive to your laptop. Plug in the external drive to one of the USB ports of your laptop and wait for Windows to recognize it. You might need to install some drivers or software to use the external drive properly. You can check the manufacturer’s website or the user manual for more information on this.
• Use the external drive as an additional storage device. You can now use the external drive as an additional storage device. You can copy, move, delete, or edit your files on the external drive as you would on your internal drive. You can also use the Windows File Explorer or a third-party software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to manage your files on the external drive.

Option 3: Access the Files from Your Other Laptops with Broken Screens

If you have other laptops with broken screens and you want to access the files from them, you have a few options to do that. You can either connect an external monitor to your laptop, remove the hard drive from your laptop and connect it to another computer, or use a remote desktop or a network sharing software to access your laptop from another device.

Option 3.1: Connect an External Monitor to Your Laptop

One of the easiest ways to access the files from your laptop with a broken screen is to connect an external monitor to your laptop. This way, you can use the external monitor as a replacement for your laptop screen and view your desktop and files. You can use any monitor that has a compatible port with your laptop, such as VGA, HDMI, DVI, or DisplayPort. You can also use a TV or a projector as an external monitor, as long as they have the same ports or adapters.

To connect an external monitor to your laptop, you will need to follow these steps:

• Connect the external monitor to your laptop. Use a cable or an adapter to connect the external monitor to your laptop. Make sure both devices are turned off before you do this. You can refer to this [article] for more details on how to connect different types of monitors to your laptop.
• Turn on your laptop and the external monitor. Turn on your laptop and the external monitor and wait for them to boot up. You might need to press some keys on your laptop keyboard to switch the display output to the external monitor. For example, you can press the Windows key + P to open the Project menu and choose the Extend or Duplicate option. You can also use the Fn key and the F key with a monitor icon to toggle the display output. You can check your laptop manual for the specific keys for your model.
• Use the external monitor as your laptop screen. You can now use the external monitor as your laptop screen and access your files and programs. You can adjust the resolution, brightness, contrast, and other settings of the external monitor to suit your preference. You can also use the Windows Display Settings or the monitor’s menu to change the display settings.

Option 3.2: Remove the Hard Drive from Your Laptop and Connect It to Another Computer

Another way to access the files from your laptop with a broken screen is to remove the hard drive from your laptop and connect it to another computer. This way, you can use the other computer to access the files on the hard drive and copy them over to the other computer or an external drive. You can use any computer that has a compatible port or a slot for your hard drive, such as SATA, IDE, or M.2. You can also use a hard drive enclosure or a docking station to connect your hard drive to another computer via USB.

To

remove the hard drive from your laptop and connect it to another computer, you will need to follow these steps: