Reinstall Windows on Corrupt Hard Drive

[Bmdawson1]

Hi,

Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong section. A few weeks ago my Lenovo G570 froze and refused to start, I have tried a number of solutions, and I think I am getting somewhere, but I could do with some pointers. I will outline what I have done so far:
- I have tried the system repair, which failed to fix the problem
- I then downloaded system repair disc and put it onto a bootable USB, but this still didn't fix the problem
- I have taken my hard drive out and put it into a case. I plugged it into a second laptop (running windows vista 32 bit). When I plugged it in, it claims that the hard drive is corrupt, so I have started recovering data which I haven't backed up using photorec. This is working, and I think I will need to completely reinstall windows on my Lenovo.
- I have downloaded the windows 7 64 bit iso, but when using the windows 7 USB DVD download tool to write the ISP to a USB, it fails saying it is unable to run bootsect. I have looked around and I think this might be due to a incompatibility between 32 and 64 bit systems. I do have a 64 bit work computer running windows 7, but I would rather not use that (it policies etc).

My questions are:
1) can I use easybcd to write the iso I downloaded for reinstalling windows 7?
2) are there any suggestions for what I could do next?
3) should I have done anything differently


Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a image backup from about 5 months ago, if that helps anything. I am relatively new to all this, and I have definitely learnt my lesson about backing up everything and creating discs BEFORE these problems happen, but in the mean time I have a few problems to fix!

Thanks

Ben

 

[whs]

Try this to write the .iso to the flash drive. http://www.isotousb.com/

 

[Bmdawson1]

Thanks, I will give that a go when I have finished recovering data (could be a while!)

 

[OldMX]

If the disk got maked as corrupt, I'd check its smart values or run manufacturer diagnostics on it to rule outan inminent failure.

 

[jumanji]

Hi Bmdawson1,

I am really glad you are trying PhotoRec to recover some of the data. Please do report at the end of recovery whether the data recovered was non-corrupt and usable.

Now I am a little curious. Does not your Lenovo 570 come with a one-key-recovery (okr)button ( a small button next to the Power button)?

How well inclined are you to obtain the Recovery Disks from Lenovo? Please check Lenovo website or talk to the Tech Support. This if you want to preserve the OEM condition and the okr function..

If you want to do a clean install you have to use the COA key on the sticker of your laptop to activate the Windows 7 ( 32 bit or 64bit does not matter but it has to be the same edition that came pre-installed on your lappy)

As far as the bootable pendrive creation is concerned the simplest utility is WINTobootic.

WiNToBootic - the ultimate Windows 7/8 USB Boot Disk Maker

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/246116-ultimate-windows-7-8-usb-boot-disk-maker-looks-like.html

Now I am trying to check whether there is a possibility to use okr and restore the factory Image. While I cannot assure you that it will work, there is absolutely no harm in trying.

Here goes the plan:

After you have recovered all data and happy with it, use TestDisk to restore the partition table. Put the HDD back into your Lenovo and try okr - the small button next to the Power button. There is an outside chance you may be able to restore it to the factory condition. If it doesn't, well go ahead with the clean install or install from the recovery Disks obtained from Lenovo. .

 

[Bmdawson1]

Hi jumanji, photorec is working great so far, a really useful tool. I like the options to bring back specific file types, but obviously brings round everything! Yes the Lenovo did come with a okr, but it didn't actually do anything. I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that I had to set it up before the problem arises. I will let you know what happens next, but I will definitely be following your advice. I haven't looked at contacting Lenovo, but that also is an option.

Thanks for replies so far, I will check the smart values once I have finished recovering the data.

Ben

 

[gregrocker]

CrystalDiskInfo - Software to read SMART data

HD Diagnostic boot CD to do extended scan.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to get a perfect reinstall.

 

[Bmdawson1]

So, it turns out my hard drive has completely failed (read error rate and a couple of other things showed up as bad), windows obviously refused to install to it. So, going to order a new hard drive. Good news is that the USB boot software which jumanji recommended does seem to work well, and also photorec has recovered all the info I needed it to recover...my situation could be a lot worse! Thanks for everyone's help so far, I will update my situation in case others find it useful.

 

[gregrocker]

Everything you need is here to get and keep a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

 

[Bmdawson1]

Thanks gregrocker, I will use that when the hdd arrives