HDD test failed

[saul1991]

Hello as the tittle says my laptops (pavilion dm4-2050us) hard drive has failed after 2 yrs unfortunately it is no longer under warranty. when i turned on the laptop it gets stuck loads and then restarts. i ran a hdd test and it failed the LONG DST failed. so my question is do i have to replace it? which one can i replace it with? i also read that i would have to install windows 7 from a recovery disk, but the laptop did not come with a recovery disk to reinstall windows 7..... and is it possible to retrive my pics from the damage hdd.

 

[saul1991]

Bump

 

[Britton30]

Yes you should replace the drive ASAP. You can try this to see if you can salvage anything.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...dvd-usb-use-emergency-backup.html#post2121339 IT will boot outside of windows so you can read the HDD.
To reinstall read through this
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164
Most any 2.5" HDD in the capacity you want would work.

 

[alphanumeric]

If you want a second opinion go to the drive manufactures web site and download their diagnostics utility and run it. Other than that, double check that the data and power cables are firmly attached. They can sometimes become unreliable due to vibration or knocks. Other than that I would do what Britton30 suggested.

 

[saul1991]

Thanks for the reply guys I called hp and there part was to expensive so I found a cheaper part but it doesnt come with the windows 7 recovery disk. Where can I buy one? Or do I have to buy windows 7?

 

[Layback Bear]

First I would seriously look into a SSD.
Then you should look on you PC/Laptop for the official COA sticker with the 25 carters. On a laptop it might be in the battery compartment. Now take a couple of reads through this Tutorial. If you have that number you do not have to buy Windows 7 as long as you haven't changed the motherboard.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

PS:
I would advise backing up all the things you want to save before testing the hard drive again. Sometimes do more hard drive test will do more damage and make it very difficult to get information off the drive.

This post is what I would do if I had your problem.
I'm no expert.