Restore after HD failure

[plasman64]

I have an HP G60-635DX laptop that either was Win 7 or 8 but I do not recall. It has been updated to and has been running Windows 10 since Win 10 came out. 

I can start the laptop but it fails during boot up. Will not start Windows or go to safe mode. Got into the "Repair Section" and testing indicates "imminent HD failure". I do not have backups other than the original HP recovery 3 disk set made shortly after buying the laptop. Made in November of 2011.

Everything I have tried seems to confirm an HD failure. Did a check from within Bios, same result.

I am trying to understand how I can get back to a windows 10 operation after installing a new HD. I assume I can use the recovery disks to go back to the original system state, Is this correct? How do I go from the OS that will be reinstalled to Win 10? Will the OS automatically update?

Any thoughts or ideas will be sincerely appreciated.

Thanks

[banhien]

@plasman64 

Factory restore now won't do any good. Since your machine previously ran Windows 10, you can do a clean install W10 for free by using the media creation tool at the link below.

   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

The tool will allow you to make a bootable installation media (USB/DVD) and you can use installation media to install.

During the installation process if you are asked to enter a product key, check the 'Skip' box and W10 will install and then automatically activate once you are connected to the internet using the key embedded in BIOS of your machine.

Then you can install the drivers and available software you need from your PC's support page. Normally few Windows 10 updates can install nearly all drivers for you.

Regards.

[plasman64]

Thank you so much for the quick response.

I will be getting a new drive shortly.  Will get back as soon as I am done. 

BTW would you recommend an SSD  for this unit? Used mainly by my wife so do not need much storage capacity

[bldegle2]

An SSD would certainly improve the performance considerably. 

Getting inside to replace the old hard drive can be daunting depending on where it is located. 

I have done this numerous times, some models are very easy, others, such as the one I just swapped the HDD for a

SSD required a rather involved disassembly.  You tube is your friend and made it fairly easy once I located the vid for the model in question.

[plasman64]

Thanks for the response. SSD drive due to arrive tomorrow.No problem replacing on this laptop. Real easy