Need help identifying this laptop and possible upgraded!

[Necromonger]

Brand: Asus

Model: R516UX-RH71

CPU: i7 6500U

GPU: Nvidia GTX 950m (2GB DDR3)

Memory: 8GB DDR3

Storage: 1TB 5400rpm

OS: Windows 10 64-bit

 

My mom got me this laptop in late 2015 / early 2016 for school. It was amazing with one glaring drawback... The slow hard drive!!!!

 

I don't use the laptop as often anymore because it takes about 30 minutes to start. I've tried taking it to school, but I can never get it started until like half way through class. I've tried opening it, but it feels like it'll break. Don't know what screws to take out or how exactly to open it.

 

I've looked online for years but never seem to find it. On the Asus website it doesn't appear either. I had to use an Asus support specialist to get me help a while ago and they had to use the serial number to find the model and even then, they used another model for reference, which was slightly different from mine.

 

All I want to know is how to open it (without breaking it), what can I upgrade (I want to put an SSD), and how to backup and restore my data. If this community can help, I'd appreciate it!

 

Thanks guys!

[cashan]

i think its just a matter of unscrewing all the screws on the bottom plate then taking out the hdd caddy and replacing it. From looking online its kind of a thin laptop so i dont think there are any easier ways to upgrade the hdd. Just make sure to not touch the pcb too much and youll be fine. I dont know about this model but some screws may be hidden under rubber feet or covers. 

 

Edit: if the screws are different from eachother make sure you put them back in the same spot.