I wish to replace the hard disk in my Pavilion dv6-6c10us laptop and need a recovery disc.

[javapoppa]

My hard disc is operating at 76% and failing. I want to replace it but need a recovery disc to do so. HP Support just sends me around in circles. How do I get recovery software on disc or thumbdrive?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

As I see it, you have two options...

HP no longer carries recovery disks for that model series, but you can order a set from this non-HP vendor.

http://www.computersurgeons.com/p-20582-windows-7-64b-recovery-kit-678889-002-for-hp-pavilion-entert...

Alternatively...If you can still read all 25 characters of the W7 product key on your PC's case...

This site claims to have genuine, unadulterated W7 ISO files for download...

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

Click on the link labeled Windows ISO Downloader.exe

You can use either the:

 Win 7 Home SP1 (Retail version, but the  OEM key on your PC's case will work with it)

 Win 7 Home SP1 COEM (This version would be for what HP would have used--System Builder)

Then you can use this tool I have zipped up and attached below, to transfer the file to a 4 GB USB flash drive or a DVD.

[javapoppa]

Hi Paul: Thank you for your quick and helpful response. I am going to give option #2 a try soonest.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[javapoppa]

Hi Paul: I downloaded the Win 7 file plus a program called rufus ( https://rufus.akeo.ie/) to create a bootable thumb drive. I could not unzip the file that you sent me to do this for some reason. The hard drive market is vast and varied so one more question: could you recommend a make, model, and source for a replacement on my machine?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, sometimes that tool doesn't work all the time but I don't know why the zipped file didn't unzip.

Rufus will do just as well.

What size hard drive to you want to replace it with? 

The same 640 GB size the notebook originally came with, or do you want to go to a 750 or 1 TB?

[javapoppa]

The original would be sufficient for my usage.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Unfortunately, I can't find any 640 GB drives that I would buy personally.

I prefer 7,200 RPM drives, and drives with larger caches.  

They have better seek times than the 5,400 RPM drives, but they cost more.

This 640 GB drive would be a good direct replacement for yours, IMO.  Definitely a good price.

https://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-640Gb-MQ01ABD064-Laptop-drive/dp/B0077IQ0AW/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&q...

[javapoppa]

Went with this one for a few dollars more to get the 7,200 RPM drive, the 1 TB was cheaper than the 750 GB. Thanks again for all of your help.

WD Black 1TB Performance Mobile Hard Disk Drive - 7200 RPM SATA 6 Gb/s 32MB Cache 9.5 MM 2.5 Inch - WD10JPLX

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Excellent move!

That's the one I would have recommended.

7,200 RPM, 4x the cache, and more storage.

Can't go wrong with that.

Plus those drives come with a 5 year warranty.