Smart hard disk error Hard Disk 1 (301)

[Lee2018]

I am getting an error when I switch on my laptop stating that the smart hard disk has detected an immiment failure. I cannot get into my laptop as a result.

I believe I will need to get a new hard drive and replace my existing one.

Could you advise how I should go about this, I am planning on removing and replacing the hard drive myself if possible?

One last question, how to I go about backing up all of my files, photos, music.....etc on my laptop? I presume I will need to do this before replacing the hard drive. I tired this by hitting "ESC" when I turn on the laptop and then F11, but when I follow the instructions to back up my files it fails after perhpas 20 minutes.

Thanks in advance

Lee

[Huffer]

The existing failing hard drive is as good a backup as you are going to get. Get an external usb to SATA adapter and when you get the new hard drive installed and Windows loaded, attach the old drive externally and copy and paste whatever you can get off of it onto the new installation. The more you try to access the old failing drive the more it is damaged and the more data could be lost. You will just not be able to save apps and settings as with a clone; the old drive is unreliable for cloning. 

[Lee2018]

Thanks for the quick reply Huffer.

That all makes sense. Just one last question, when I put in the new hard drive how do I go about loading the Windows OS?

Thanks

Lee

[Huffer]

Which Windows did you have?

[Lee2018]

It was windows 7 home premium

Thanks

[Lee2018]

Hi Huffer

Have you had a chance to consider my question re reloading Windows 7?

Thanks

Lee

[Huffer]

Yes but first thing is whether you have a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. HP no longer stocks recovery disks and Microsoft no longer makes it available for free download. Windows 10 is much easier. 

[Lee2018]

Thanks Huffer, I do not think I still have a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium. So if I replace the hard drive and then download windows 10, is that the correct order? Is windows 10 available to download for free? Thanks for your help to date.

Lee