Laptop Hard Drive Failing, Need to Install a New One

[MrLoopy99]

I have an HP DV6-2174ca Laptop. Having many problems with the hard drive, and looking to install a new one.

Can I get any 2.5 SATA drive and install it? Any recommendations on what to buy?

It was by work computer, and they already bought me a new one. If I get it working, I'll let my son use it, so don't want to spend too much.


Computer Specs...

Current Hard Drive - West Digital 640GB Sata 2 - WD6400BEVT-60A0RT0

Intel Core i7-720QM processor 1.60GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80 GHz

Product Name dv6-2174ca
Microprocessor Intel Core i7-720QM processor 1.60GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80 GHz

Memory 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM)
Memory Max 8192MB

Video Graphics Nvidia GeForce GT 230M
Video Memory Up to 2815MB

Hard Drive 640GB (5400RPM)
Multimedia Drive LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
Display 15.6" Diagonal High-Definition LED HP BrightView Display (1366x768)

[thinfilms]

Any 2.5" SATA drive should be fine.

Are you looking for capacity? If not, maybe consider a cheap SSD?

[MrLoopy99]

Any 2.5" SATA drive should be fine.

Are you looking for capacity? If not, maybe consider a cheap SSD?

Thanks for the reply. I'm just going to reinstall Windows 7, haven't quite figured that out yet since I don't have the CD. I can get one from HP for $45 delivered (I think). My son will just be used it to play games on the web, he's 7. So don't really need big capacity.

[george__]

Go download the service manual for your laptop if you don't know where the hard drive is :D.

Also

If it is Windows 7 and you have a Windows 7 Key on that laptop then just go download the Windows 7 ISO for that version of the key you have. It is not illegal.

Here is the link! (http://forum.notebookreview.com/windows-os-software/604187-legal-download-digitalriver-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html)

More likely then not. You will be downloading the X86 not X64 version.
^^ To double check for sure... Go on the laptop and browse to Control Panel\System and Security\System and under System Type it says 64-bit or 32-bit... The 32 bit = x86 the 64bit = x64 :D

If you don't know the key and looking at your post, it was your work computer. So I'm guessing this was legal copy not pirated etc etc... Use this tool - Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder (http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/) to find it

Save your $45

After you install it... You just have to manually install the drivers (which can be found on HP's website)

--- That laptop is alsoo pretty powerful. Lucky 7 year old :P

[MrLoopy99]

Great, thanks for the info. I remember the computer was 64 bit, and I should have a copy of the key at home.

Once I get a new hard drive, I'm currently out of town, I'll try this out.

I have a samsung ultra 14" now, and I hate it, way too slow compared to that computer. But I travel so much, I love that it's not so BIG and HEAVY.

[george__]

Great, thanks for the info. I remember the computer was 64 bit, and I should have a copy of the key at home.

Once I get a new hard drive, I'm currently out of town, I'll try this out.

I have a samsung ultra 14" now, and I hate it, way too slow compared to that computer. But I travel so much, I love that it's not so BIG and HEAVY.

Lool... What do you expect. Ultra laptops usually aren't power houses :D. GOod luck!

[Phils]

It was by work computer, and they already bought me a new one. If I get it working, I'll let my son use it, so don't want to spend too much.


Computer Specs...

Current Hard Drive - West Digital 640GB Sata 2 - WD6400BEVT-60A0RT0

Intel Core i7-720QM processor 1.60GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80 GHz

Product Name dv6-2174ca
Microprocessor Intel Core i7-720QM processor 1.60GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80 GHz

Memory 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM)
Memory Max 8192MB

Video Graphics Nvidia GeForce GT 230M
Video Memory Up to 2815MB

Hard Drive 640GB (5400RPM)
Multimedia Drive LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
Display 15.6" Diagonal High-Definition LED HP BrightView Display (1366x768)

If it's an i7, it's probably worth spending some money to get it going. If the drive hasn't failed completely yet, you might still be able to create recovery disks from it.

[MrLoopy99]

I tried creating a recovery disk but get an error, guess it's too far gone.