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Question

Computer Failure: Should I Reinstall Or Get Rid Of?

May 9, 2015 8:56AM PDT

I have two dead computers. The hard drives are certainly dead. They have failed the hard drive error test. This explains why the computers were so slow. (I am typing on a HP Pavilion dv7 which is much faster.)

The affected laptops are a Toshiba Protege M400. Windows would not boot any more. I pulled the hard drive and plugged it into an adapter. It failed the test. That hard drive is much too small anyways.

HP G62.

I ran a test on the HP G62 which includes a memory test and a hard drive test. I don't think it ran any other hardware tests unfortunately. The memory test passed and the hard drive test failed.

The only option I have with me is the recovery partition, which is on a dead hard drive.

Both of these computers have product key stickers on them. Should I use them?

Is the product key stickers on the computer meant just for that computer (in case I have to replace the hard drive) can it be used as many times as needed, for the computer it is attached to?

Is the product key on the laptops similar to registering MorphOS, where the keyfile is tied to the ROM (or something) of the computer? And that keyfile is not supposed to be transferable to another computer?

What is an OEM version of Windows?

Is that product key on the laptops an OEM key?

Can OEM keys be reused for a new hard drive if the old hard drive dies?

What is a "Windows for Refurbished PCs" install disc?

Can Windows for Refurbished PCs be reused if the hard drive dies and needs to be replaced?

Is Windows for Refurbished PCs an OEM version of Windows?

Should I just get a retail version of Windows?

Is there any way to reinstall a recovery partition?

Should I just contact HP & Toshiba for recovery discs?

Should I also contact HP & Toshiba to see if I can send my hard drives to them so that they can install a recovery partition onto it? AND mail the discs to me?

I REALLY want to use a SSD? But it is too complicated to install Windows XP? (The Toshiba says "Designed for Windows XP", and the product key says Windows XP Tablet Edition)

If I don't hear from HP & Toshiba about recovery discs, should I just give up and get rid of these computers?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
OEM is tied to a computer.
May 9, 2015 9:02AM PDT

Typically the motherboard. Why not give Linux a try i'ts free and can even run off dvd/usb.
Dafydd.

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Okay:
May 9, 2015 10:45AM PDT

Tied To Motherboard... then it is similar to MorphOS registration process.

I will try Linux later. If my computer will ever function.

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Answer
The HP G62 has a fatal BIOS flaw.
May 9, 2015 9:16AM PDT

If yours works, that's great. That model was my last HP. At 3 months I found the bug and set out to see if HP would set it right. After 8+ hours on the phone letting HP remote, reset, do it all they gave up and shipped a box. That was the last I ever saw the machine work. So at 3 months that was all I got from my last HP.

6 months of calls, web surveys and more without any offer to fix the laptop (it returned in far worse condition than I sent it) told me all I needed to know about how badly HP had gone down the tubes.

HP will ship you restore media if you didn't prepare for this day (for a price.) You can also install Linux and move on but it won't fix the flaw.
Bob

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Thanks:
May 9, 2015 10:44AM PDT

That's shocking. Thank you for telling me. It is a HP G62 355 DX

What is bios flaw? Is my bios working? I googled it and it said that bios error can result in only a black blank screen.
I think my bios appears to function.

However, the computer has been very unresponsive with windows recently. It was always a tiny bit sluggish, and then for some reason, it would not wake from sleep. I took battery out and every thing and then next thing it says "Windows Can't Start." It then said to use System Restore which it did, and then it boot into Windows but it took like 5 minutes to load the desk top. And then the Internet, Firewall, and Event Viewer stopped functioning all at the same time.

I was able to move every thing out and then I was able to reinstall Windows using the recovery inside the hard drive. But then, the next day (today) would not wake from sleep again, and then I turned it off again and then the Internet stopped working again. This time, the mouse arrow would not move, and turned into a blue ring and would not move either.

I ran the diagnostic and it said the HDD failed the Short DST.

Is there other hardware issues besides the HDD?

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Clone the old HD to new
May 9, 2015 12:30PM PDT

Using cloning s/w like Clonezilla and even on another PC that works. using the USB ports and/or adapter, however you connect it. You don't need the OS from the booting PC as Clonezilla will provide all the operations required. Direct it to clone old to new. Once done, you have a good cloned drive. Now install the new drive in the troubled PC. Now, if the old drive is truly kaput, then it will fail the cloning method. That's where you need recover/restore media from maker in order to reload OS again. BUT! there's a chance the recovery partiton may get cloned or you can access. Toshiba, may have a process to generate a recovery/restore to a flash drive. But, of course the drive has to be at least spinning. Now, in most cases you had the opportunity to create restore/recovery on day-1 of you new PC. So you won't having you to inquire to get restore/recovery s/w from the maker fro small cost. Basically, you're in a catch-22 situation. If you did then re-using the maker's installed OS can be done even if tried the windows key, that's OK, that applies to either HP or Toshiba. If you have a "heat issue" classic to laptops in general, then you could have a weak mtrbd. or similar because too often the weakest link kaputs and a drive is certainly a key unit that does. Also, Robert offered the HP bios may have a issue. i suggest you check the HP forum at support website and post there or at least review your HP model# and see what pops-up and consider if its worth even trying to fix.

tada -----Willy Happy

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There were 2 issues.
May 9, 2015 1:30PM PDT

Connecting a smart phone may cause the boot to fail. It's an odd failure and HP's support reply included "not many folk own a smart phone" as well as "you should have bought an Envy."

Another side effect is an random lockup when you use USB drives.

HP's responses included "we buy the BIOS" so they are unable to correct the flaw. Anyhow, if yours works, do not allow HP to repair it. Lesson learned.

I'd try a new HDD.
Bob