What did my mom do to her desktop?

[crashhat]

I don't even think the still has her manual, so to answer your question, no I have not studied the port situation.

 

[whs]

I don't even think the still has her manual, so to answer your question, no I have not studied the port situation.

The manual should be at the HP site.

 

[crashhat]

Since I've never done this before, would it just be better if she just got herself a laptop?

 

[whs]

Nah, it is really very easy. Unplug the power, open the box and just switch the 2 cables of the old HDD to the new HDD. You will need a screwdriver to get the old HDD out of the bay and put the new one in. But it really is a piece of cake.

 

[crashhat]

That sounds easy enough. When I hook up the new hard drive what do I do next? do I just put in the system recovery disks?

 

[gregrocker]

You can do that if you have the Recovery Disk set, then immediately after it starts go to Windows Updates to Check for Updates, install all Important and Optional to get the latest drivers and patches that makes your system run better.

However the factory install is the worst install of Win7 one can have. I'd do the much better Clean Reinstall Windows 7
so Win7 is not loaded down with all the bloatware.

Are there programs that came with the PC that your Mom uses? We can help you find these to include in the Clean Reinstall.

 

[crashhat]

All she does is go on the internet, that's all she really knows how to do LOL.

 

[gregrocker]

The Manual and Drivers are found on the HP Support Downloads website for your model PC here: HP Pavilion Slimline s5713w Desktop PC | HP® Support

The Manual is here showing how to replace HD on page 17: Upgrading and Servicing Guide

Your PC's reader should open the downloaded Manual but if not click on the download to open it.

 

[crashhat]

The Manual and Drivers are found on the HP Support Downloads website for your model PC here: HP Pavilion Slimline s5713w Desktop PC | HP® Support

The Manual is here showing how to replace HD on page 17: Upgrading and Servicing Guide

Your PC's reader should open the downloaded Manual but if not click on the download to open it.

Thanks for the info Greg. When I get the hard drive I saw on amazon I'll hook it up and let you know how it it went.

 

[whs]

In your case clean install as Greg recommends would be your best option. Getting the current OS off the defunct disk is probably not in the cards.

If you have problems installing Windows, post back and I give you another option that costs nothing.

 

[crashhat]

You can do that if you have the Recovery Disk set, then immediately after it starts go to Windows Updates to Check for Updates, install all Important and Optional to get the latest drivers and patches that makes your system run better.

However the factory install is the worst install of Win7 one can have. I'd do the much better Clean Reinstall Windows 7
so Win7 is not loaded down with all the bloatware.

Are there programs that came with the PC that your Mom uses? We can help you find these to include in the Clean Reinstall.

I used the recovery disks that she has and it couldn't install the OS or something like that.

update: When I put the 3rd and final disk in it gets to like 78% then a message pops up saying "ecovery manager could not restore your computer using the factory image. Please contact hp support. Error code:0xe0ef0003

 

[gregrocker]

Then proceed with the Clean Reinstall Windows 7. It is a much better install anyway.

 

[crashhat]

Then proceed with the Clean Reinstall Windows 7. It is a much better install anyway.

There's no home premium iso.

 

[gregrocker]

There most certainly is. For 4gb or more RAM use 64 bit, for less than 4gb RAM use 32 bit (x86).

Win7 Home Premium x64 SP1 English Official ISO download
Win7 Home Premium x86 SP1 English Official ISO download

 

[crashhat]

So how difficult is it to do a clean install?

 

[Slartybart]

It's really, really easy.

 

[whs]

So how difficult is it to do a clean install?

There is nothing you need to do other than answering the questions.

 

[crashhat]

I have a 4gb flash drive, do just download the iso and put it on the flash drive?

 

[Slartybart]

Nope, that's a common mistake -

Follow Greg's tutorial step-by-step and you cannot fail.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

If my daughter can do it, anyone can

 

[whs]

I have a 4gb flash drive, do just download the iso and put it on the flash drive?

That flash drive would be too small anyhow.