Replace Hard Disk

[jayponn]

Hi,

I have a HP TouchSmart IQ826T and the warranty has expired. I had a hard disk failure and after running the diagnostic and several test have determined that I need to replace the hard disk.

My question is I currently have a ST3500620AS Seagate hard disk 500MB installed on my PC and was wondering if I could chnage it to a bigger capacity hard disk.

I am not an expert but a novice so any help from the forum would be greatly appreciated.

I am running Windows 7.

Many Thanks in advance.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

According to the specs page for your PC, you can go up to a 1 TB drive.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01640567&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en...

I don't know why HP dropped the RPM's on a 1 TB drive. I would think a 7,200 RPM drive would be fine too.

The link to the upgrading and servicing guide is below.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01536368.pdf

Paul

[jayponn]

Thanks Paul for the sure quick response. Appreciate the help.

Also, another silly question - where would I be able to dowload the original HP software that came with this PC.

If you know, could you please help out.

Many Thanks again.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You would have to get a set of recovery disks in order to have all the programs that came with your PC.

Below is the link for information on how to order a set.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07143&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en

I see from the product specs your PC originally came with windows vista home premium, 64 bit.

If recovery disks are no longer available from HP, you can make your own Vista installation disk.

If you can read your 25 character MS product key, you can make your own Windows Vista installation disk. Just download the 3 files you need at the link below, and read all of the instructions to create a bootable DVD installation disk using imageburn.

When I went to compile the ISO file, ImageBurn gave a message that about a WIM file and ISO, and if I wanted to burn it in a different format.

I selected No, make the ISO file.

It was not that hard to do. I burned both the 64 bit disk and the 32 bit disk in case I ever need them.

I tested both of them (just short of going ahead with the actual install) and they appeared to work perfectly.

Apparently when you enter the product key, it knows what version of Vista you have.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/3317.2-3-microsoft-windows-vi...

After you successfully install vista, you can then use your Windows 7 upgrade disk (you stated the PC was running windows 7 when the hard drive failed), and upgrade back to windows 7.

You can't use a W7 upgrade disk on a blank drive. It has to have a qualifying operating system on it in order to install an upgrade version of windows 7.

Paul

[jayponn]

Hey Paul,

Have been busy traveling on business and just got time to do all this.

I have installed my new 1TB hard drive and created the ISO image file as instructed. I have in my USB drive now.

Okay, now the silly questions again, how do I use this ISO image file to my PC.

I am sorry to bother you but appreciate all th help you can give me.

Many Thanks

Jay

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Jay:

Did you use the windows USB install tool to load the ISO file onto your flash drive to make the flash drive bootable?

If not, copy that ISO file back to your hard drive and run this tool to load it onto your flash drive. Download and instructions are at the link below. This tool should also work for Vista.

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool

Aftery you've done that, you can then install Windows Vista by plugging the flash drive into a usb port and boot from it.

Paul

[jayponn]

Hi Paul,

Just want to advise that my computer is up and running. Thank you very much for all your patience and help.

Best Regards,

Jay

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Jay.

Glad to read the good news.

Best Regards,

Paul