ERROR: No boot disk has been detected or the disk has failed (on black screen)

[Mogadishu]

This computer is less tha 3 years old. Quite discouraged that the hard disk seems to have failed.

With Macrium Recovery CD was able to "see" contents of hard drive.

Installed boot options from screen but apparently did not work.

Tried to backup hard drive to external drive but it eventually failed with an error message.

Obviously,  to report this, I am working with my older Desktop PC, also Windows 7 Pro.

I assume that I have to take the computer to where the hard drive would be exchanged for a new one?

Does the Microsoft licence carry over to the new hard drive?

I was able to save my data on Usb and have installed it on current computer.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thank You, Brian.

[TheOldMan]

"I assume that I have to take the computer to where the hard drive would be exchanged for a new one" Yes, unless you wish to do the replacement yourself.  It would be handy if the Recovery media set was in hand but it might not be possible to make them if they are not already created.

FYI: Several of the models I checked in the Pavilion 500-200 line say that Windows 8.1 came with them  If that is the case, then the Recovery Media will not help with Windows 7.

Also "Does the Microsoft licence carry over to the new hard drive?" If the PC came with Windows 8.1 installed, then "No".  You will need to find the product key for Windows 7. 

BTW: you might be able to recovery the product key from the old drive by using a key reader that runs under a Linux OS.  See this

https://www.howtogeek.com/64600/how-to-recover-windows-and-software-keys-from-a-broken-computer/

Scroll down to the "How to Recover Keys Without Removing a Computer’s Drive First" and follow the proceedure.

[Mogadishu]

Thank you, "Old Man" for your involvement.

To replace the HD myself looks OK. There is just one clip about an inch long that holds wires. However it is stiff in trying to pull it out. Maybe I will lubricate it.

As far as MS Product Key--no problem. Label is stuck onto Case with 5 sets of 5 digits.

BTW I do not need info from damaged HD as my previous Desktop Computer (3 years prior) has it all.

Personal data was up to date with Usb drive and has been transferred to working computer.

So if I purchase an identical HD and install it, what happens when I boot it up?

Presumably it is a blank HD and the original HP back up was on a separate partition on the now damaged HD.

I do have Macrium Free and my working system is backed up on my External HD.

Any further advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you, Brian.

P.S. My Mogadishu handle was a flash reponse. My 2nd Daughter, as a U.S Army Officer, was there at the time of the "Black Hawk Down" event.  

[TheOldMan]

That is great that the COA sticker is still readable.  That should work.

For the replacement SATA 1Tb drive, it does not have to be identical, just a regular 1Tb SATA desktop drive is all that is necessary.  They are less than $50 US

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Cache-Desktop-Drive-WD10EZEX/dp/B0088PUEPK

Or

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-blue-1tb-internal-sata-hard-drive-for-desktops-oem-bare-drive/633150...

Or whatever is easier to purchase.

I do not have Macrium but in looking it over briefly, it should actually be able to restore the new drive from the last backup.  Just use the Recovery Media that it creates.  Boot the computer to the recovery media  and restore the new drive from the last backup.  If that does indeed work, then you will not have to worry about Windows, either, as it will be restored and activated.

[Mogadishu]

Thank you once again.

I would pose the following: If I use Macrium and am able to install my latest backup to the new HD, that would mean that the Windows sticker EAULA number would be on 2 separate computers and the one on the damaged computer would not be used at all.  Will Microsoft intervene and prevent this as one license per computer is all they allow.

Remember that Macrium was unsuccessful in trying to extract data from the damaged HD, although I could "see" it.

The only backup I have is from the working computer.

Hope you can follow this convoluted rambling.

Brian.

[TheOldMan]

I misunderstood the backup.  I thought you meant the backup was from the failed PC.  If both are Windows 7 Pro and the COA is alos Windows 7 Pro, then input the COA code on the reinstalled from backup on the new drive.  If the COA is for Windows 7 Home then first find the install media for that version and then install the key from the COA after the reinstall. 

You correct that M$ will not allow two computers with the same key, unless the original Windows 7 Pro was for two computers.  I have seen the COA say it is for two PCs.

[Mogadishu]

So as I understand your reply, assuming that I succeed in installing the backup I have on the new HD, I would then go to Control Panel/System and at the bottom click on "Change Product Key" and enter the one on the Case.

Alternatively at some point Microsoft would discover and direct me to do the same.

Have I got it right?

If so and when I am physically able to remove the clip attached to the damaged HD, I will order the replacement as suggested by you.

BTW both Operating Systems are Windows 7 PRO.

Thanks once again.

Brian.

[TheOldMan · Accepted solution]

Yes that is correct about entering the COA key.

Please report back once the new hard drive is in place, just to let us know how this completed.

[Mogadishu]

Yes we have the solution.

Implementation will commence once I return from an imminent Caribbean Cruise from California via NY Manhattan.

[mousepotato69]

You are not alone with system failures on Monday, February 12th, 2018... I have a Windows-7 pc, on Feb-12-2018, I used my pc in the am hrs at approximately 9:00 am EST. to check my bank then I left to go deposit money, then did a number of other tasks I returned after a few hours. While out I received a phone call from 1-(302) xxx-9966 that originally was calling computer number on Google-Hangouts, Then was forwarded o my cell phone. I declined the call, I did not know any from this number and after a search showed nothing it was inconclusive with zero results to a owner. I returned home to a frozen pc screen. The monitor was all garbled and torn as if the display drivers had FAILED and quit working. I rebooted my system to this ( ERROR NO BOOT DISK FOUND) repeated many times across my screen. Only after a suggestion from my brother to use the system repair/restore installation discs I was able to reformat a used HDD (hard drive) I was I able to restart my win7 system. I play World of Warcraft and use add-ons off Curse.com along with TWITCH to keep them up to date. I also use DISCORD and for two weeks prior to system failure discord would lose all sound from other gamers on a line in any group created on my discord. I tried to reinitiate my old hard drive with the updated system to scan it but as I applied power my entire system failed again for the first time with my screen failing. I immediately removed power from the offending hard drive and rebooted my system only to find I had lost my entire file system for last good configuration. I had to start all over again reinstalling all 228 updates from windows along with all my other software. If any reasons should come about that are the sole cause of this system failure please let myself and others know. This seems to be a widespread occurrence with gamers of WORLD OF WARCRAFT DISCORD AND TWITCH WITH CURSE USERS. All I have spoken with on February 14th after getting my system up and running again seem to have had the EXACT SAME SYSTEM FAILURE with all OS from MAC to WIN7 or later including LINUX OS.