G72 Notebook Hard Drive failing; need a new one

[SKCro]

Hi,

My G72's hard drive is failing and I need a new one, but its warrenty is expired and I don't want to turn it on (fear of the disk failing even more) to try to recover my files. The serial number is: [edit]; The model is: G72-B60US ; The product number is: XG988UA#ABA. I hope that info helps 😄

Regards,

    SKCro

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

You have a couple of options...

You can replace the current drive with one like this...

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA8TK8DW6703

Or you may want to consider replacing it with a better performing, more reliable solid state drive (SSD).

I have this 240 GB model in some of my HP notebook and desktop PC's.  It works great.  The 480 GB model is only $70.

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-240GB-Solid-State-SDSSDA-240G-G26/dp/B01F9G43WU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qi...

[SKCro]

I'm going with the SSD option because I NEED a 1TB (or simalar) hard disk to fit all my virtual machines, emulators, and that stuff. Thank you for your reply!

SKCro

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

A 1 TB SSD is going to be pretty pricey.

You can get a mechanical 1 TB hard drive for less...

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Performance-Mobile-Hard-Drive/dp/B01DOL05OC/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid...

[SKCro]

An SSD would be great but I do need the space more than I need the speed so the 1 TB HDD would be best. Thanks again! 😄

SKCro

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

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

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

Select the W7 COEM ISO file download version for the product key the OS is good for, which is the OEM operating system ISO file.

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-G72-Notebook-PC-series/4247537/model/4308568

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."

https://cdburnerxp.se/en/download

[SKCro]

Thank you! However, I am going to try "cloning" the hard drive with Ubuntu Linux. If that fails I'll re-install Windows 7. Thanks again! 😄

SKCro

[SKCro]

I am taking the drive out, and I've gotten to the point to where you can actually see the drive, but I don't know what to do next. (I don't just want to yank the drive out; fear of not being able to put a new hard drive in anymore becuase of the damaged connector)

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Isn't chapter 4 of the service manual of any help?  

Looks pretty straightforward to me.  Remove 4 screws, remove drive cable from motherboard, and lift drive up by mylar tabs

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02623152

[SKCro]

Oh OK. I will try that 😄