How to replace a knackered hard drive
Discussion
I have a pretty ancient laptop, an HP Compaq CQ57 from 2011 to be precise. The hard drive has just started making the “click of death”. I don’t want to buy a new laptop. It’s only really a means with which to backup our phone data, and music really. I’m happy with the idea of replacing the faulty hard drive, however I’m not sure how.
All the guides I can find on the internet involve formatting a new hard drive using Windows as if adding a new drive to a system rather than replacing. I’m assuming that when I physically install the new drive in place of the old, I won’t have an operating system, so how will it work?
I know some are going to tell me to buy a new laptop but thats really is my last resort. If I can get this one working again for the cost of a new hard drive I’d much rather do that.
Thanks
All the guides I can find on the internet involve formatting a new hard drive using Windows as if adding a new drive to a system rather than replacing. I’m assuming that when I physically install the new drive in place of the old, I won’t have an operating system, so how will it work?
I know some are going to tell me to buy a new laptop but thats really is my last resort. If I can get this one working again for the cost of a new hard drive I’d much rather do that.
Thanks
Get a kit, something like this -
SanDisk SSD with Installation and Upgrade Kit Bundle https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071NRR7CC/ref=cm_sw_r...
SanDisk SSD with Installation and Upgrade Kit Bundle https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071NRR7CC/ref=cm_sw_r...
Click of death, ouch
Don't run the drive unless you must as it could die on you and then you've lost all data on it
Next run of the drive should be to transfer data to an external backup drive or USB Flash drives, depends on how much data there is
Once the data is safe, remove drive, smash it with a lump hammer and bin it
Fit new drive, install whatever OS takes your fancy (Linux is good)
Copy backed up data to new drive
Good luck, hope the drive doesn't die on you while backing up
Don't run the drive unless you must as it could die on you and then you've lost all data on it
Next run of the drive should be to transfer data to an external backup drive or USB Flash drives, depends on how much data there is
Once the data is safe, remove drive, smash it with a lump hammer and bin it
Fit new drive, install whatever OS takes your fancy (Linux is good)
Copy backed up data to new drive
Good luck, hope the drive doesn't die on you while backing up
Backup critical data now to USB. You can rebuild OS and program files easily.
I personally would take the time to do a fresh install on the new drive, then restore the essential data from the USB backup. You'll find without all the legacy rubbish you're carrying round that the whole thing runs better.
You can get Windows 10 Professional keys legally on Amazon for £10.
I personally would take the time to do a fresh install on the new drive, then restore the essential data from the USB backup. You'll find without all the legacy rubbish you're carrying round that the whole thing runs better.
You can get Windows 10 Professional keys legally on Amazon for £10.
Thank you for the responses. I have been able to save the data I don’t want to lose, however, I can’t perform a backup or create a system image, it fails whenever I try.
So I’m thinking of doing a fresh install. I think Windows 10 may be asking too much of the machine, I know a few people who’ve had issues running 10 on older systems. It came with Windows 7 so I’ll either go with that again or perhaps buy 8. Any further advice is welcome
So I’m thinking of doing a fresh install. I think Windows 10 may be asking too much of the machine, I know a few people who’ve had issues running 10 on older systems. It came with Windows 7 so I’ll either go with that again or perhaps buy 8. Any further advice is welcome
MikeyMike said:
Thank you for the responses. I have been able to save the data I don’t want to lose, however, I can’t perform a backup or create a system image, it fails whenever I try.
So I’m thinking of doing a fresh install. I think Windows 10 may be asking too much of the machine, I know a few people who’ve had issues running 10 on older systems. It came with Windows 7 so I’ll either go with that again or perhaps buy 8. Any further advice is welcome
You can try a Win10 installation for free, all it will cost you is some time & an 8GB USB stick. If it doesn't work than you can go back to Win 7 or try Linux.So I’m thinking of doing a fresh install. I think Windows 10 may be asking too much of the machine, I know a few people who’ve had issues running 10 on older systems. It came with Windows 7 so I’ll either go with that again or perhaps buy 8. Any further advice is welcome
There's a video on removing the HDD here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qle1T_6ThKc
You need a new HDD or SSD. Samsung, Crucial or Sandisk should be OK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=ssd&rh=p_89%3ACru...
You also need a bootable USB stick of at least 8GB.
Go here & download the Installation Tool to create Windows 10 Installation Media:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/...
Folow the instructions "Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) to install Windows 10 on a different PC"
If it doesn't work you've lost nothing - you needed a new HDD/SSD anyway.
Hi folks, I bought an SSD in the end and attempted to clone my HDD to it with no joy unfortunately. It pretty much just stopped and sat on 27% for 4 hours. As I’ve managed to save all the files I want, I’ve decided to just start from scratch with the new SSD and a new install of Windows 10. Unfortunately, I don’t have an 8Gb USB to hand. Would it be possible to....... with the old HDD still in situ and the new SSD connected via a USB/SATA cable, download Windows 10 onto the SSD, then remove the old HDD, put in the SSD with Windows 10 on it and install like that?
MikeyMike said:
Hi folks, I bought an SSD in the end and attempted to clone my HDD to it with no joy unfortunately. It pretty much just stopped and sat on 27% for 4 hours. As I’ve managed to save all the files I want, I’ve decided to just start from scratch with the new SSD and a new install of Windows 10. Unfortunately, I don’t have an 8Gb USB to hand. Would it be possible to....... with the old HDD still in situ and the new SSD connected via a USB/SATA cable, download Windows 10 onto the SSD, then remove the old HDD, put in the SSD with Windows 10 on it and install like that?
No. You need a bootable USB stick as it boots the PC enough to be able to run the install procedure.thecremeegg said:
Penelope Stopit said:
For phone data and music
Linux Mint is very good and very free
You don't need Windows
Please stop pushing linux on people that aren't that tech savvy - as good as newer builds are, they're still a UI disasterLinux Mint is very good and very free
You don't need Windows
I use it for browser and messaging.
thecremeegg said:
Penelope Stopit said:
For phone data and music
Linux Mint is very good and very free
You don't need Windows
Please stop pushing linux on people that aren't that tech savvy - as good as newer builds are, they're still a UI disasterLinux Mint is very good and very free
You don't need Windows
Wouldn't class attempting to help somebody solve a problem as pushing
Linux is extremely reliable and easy to use
The OP mentioned wanting to work with phone data and music, Linux is much better than Windows for simple tasks like those mentioned due to it being a more resource friendly OS
Linux doesn't have Cortana and many other things running in the background and sending information away from home
Perhaps it's time you tried Linux
Do you know that there are many things stated about Linux that aren't accurate and many more people would use Linux if they hadn't been scared off by others ?
Slowly slowly Linux will gain more and more users as people become aware of how good it is. On the other hand I wouldn't be shocked if witnessing Microsoft losing its dominance of the OS market
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