Problems booting my laptop. thinking of changing my HDD, need advice

Hi,

I have a G51J Laptop
I have a pre-installed version of windows 7 from the manufacturer. I did NOT note the windows number and the sticker wore off.

I had to replace my motherboard at some point. and since then I have an non-genuine version.

Recently I wanted to wipe out my OS and restart anew. I followed instruction from ASUS support and installed from the hidden partition. (they told me that the non-genuine problem would go away, which is totally false btw, as it's still there)

Since then, my computer will not boot properly half the time.
- I try to start the computer, the processor goes on for 1 sec, so does the fan and keyboard lights and CD. But then it's just stuck there forever with a black screen. I have tried hard reset (without the cord nor the battery holding the power button for 10-30-60 sec) and nothing will have it.

- The next day, my computer will just boot totally normally.
- rinse and repeat.

ASUS told me my HDD booting is failing and I should change my HDD

First question : Am I being played? is there another possible issue here ?

Second question implying that the answer to the first is NO :
Whats the best way to change my HDD and be able to put back Windows 7, ideally without paying for a new windows 7 # .

Thank you in advance for your help !

There are programs that will attempt to retrieve your Product Key from your installation.

Here is one such application:

KeyFinder | Magical Jelly Bean

I'd try to retrieve that key and then call Microsoft and have them tell you if it is a valid key.

From your description, it's unclear to me if you now have a valid installation via the restore process or a non-genuine installation.

Likewise, who knows what Product Key the key retrieval application may pull out. That's why you should call MS if you can retrieve a key at all.

I wouldn't come to any conclusion about the hard drive until I knew for sure whether I had a valid key.

If you do have a valid key, you can download a valid Windows 7 ISO, burn it, and install.

My Windows was genuine. When they replaced my motherboard, it asked for the product key again, said the technician, which had disappeared from the sticker. Since then it has been non-genuine. ASUS told me it would be genuine again using the hidden partition recovery, which has not happened, It is still not genuine. (I had it non-genuine without problems for 1 year and a half)

I did call Microsoft to verify the number I pulled with a program like that.
Microsoft told me to call ASUS
ASUS tole me to call Microsoft, that they had no information on windows key numbers ...

Anfalas said:

I did call Microsoft to verify the number I pulled with a program like that.

Well, don't leave us in suspense.

What did they say?

It may be that your use of a non-genuine Windows has fouled your ability to properly restore from the recovery partition.

In that case, if you have no valid Product Key, I would get back to Asus and order a set of recovery disks, which may allow you to restore even if the recovery partition will not. You may have to pay for the disks.

The recovery disks should auto-activate, with no product key required.

You might want to run the hard drive manufacturer's drive utility to see if it finds any defects, before paying for any disks from Asus.

If you put the genuine issue aside for a second.

I tried the really old trick of replacing (as in taking it out, and putting it back) my RAM when the computer would not boot up, and right away the computer would start up normally.

Is there a way to diagnose the RAM to see if it's malfunctionning ? EDIT: found the guide here

Also, in the many hours of reading I did trying to figure out this problem, someone said at some point that sometimes by replacing the RAM you reset the "temporary" memory, which might be the cause of idle at start... Any advice on how, if possible, to fix that ?

I have no idea what you mean by "temporary" memory.

RAM needs to be the right type for your motherboard, installed correctly, and not defective.

You test it with Memtest 86+ for multiple passes, maybe 6 or 8. That would probably take overnight.