HDD replacement

[Tiedye]

This might be a stupid question, my HDD has completely failed, if i put a new one in will I lose my operating system as it was all pre on there when bought computer secondhand. If so how do I get it back or do I have to buy a new op system?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Yes, the operating system is gone and won't be on a new hard drive.

If you can still read all 25 characters of the W7 product key on your PC's case, you can make your own W7 installation media to reinstall W7.

Click on the Windows ISO Downloader.exe link to download the tool to create the W7 ISO file download.

Select the Windows COEM ISO file download for the version of W7 the product key is good for.

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-downl...

I have zipped up and attached the Microsoft utility below, that will allow you to either put the file on a USB flash drive or burn it to a DVD.

Then you can install the drivers and available software you need from your PC's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Pavilion-p6-Desktop-PC-series/5151865/model/5176...

If the Microsoft tool doesn't work to burn a DVD, use this free DVD burning software to burn the ISO file to a DVD.

 Select the "Burn ISO file option."   Burn the DVD at the slowest possible speed you can to get a strong burn.

https://cdburnerxp.se/en/download