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Question

Which Computer Is Better? --- HP or Lenovo?

Feb 20, 2017 1:40PM PST

I have an HP Pavilion Elite HPE-250f computer, which I purchased in 2010. This computer's hard drive is failing, if it hasn't already failed. I'm trying to decide which computer to buy next.


My current computer has the following:

Operating System: Win 7 Home Premium, Service Pack 1, 64-bit OS

Processor: Intel Core i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80 GHz

RAM: 8 GB

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS
1 TB, 7200 RPM, 32 MB Cache, SATA 6.0 GB/s
3.5" Internal Hard Drive


I love Win 7, and I want my next computer to have Win 7 as well.


On the HP website, I found the following computer:

HP Z240 Tower Workstation

Processor: Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 (3.5 GHz, up to 3.9 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 8 MB cache, 4 cores)

Windows 10 Pro 64 Downgrade to Windows 7 Pro 64

RAM: 8 GB

Hard Drive: 1 TB

Price: $1200


Here in Chicago, there is a computer store that has the following:

HP EliteDesk 800 G2 Desktop Computer

Intel Core i5-6500 Processor 3.2GHz

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

16GB DDR4-2133 RAM

1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive (RAID 1)

Price: $580


Lenovo ThinkCentre M700 Desktop Computer

Intel Core i7-6700 Processor 3.4GHz

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

8GB DDR4-2133 SDRAM

1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive

Price: $730


The price difference between the HP on the website and the HP in the Chicago store is quite huge. Is that because it's always more expensive to buy directly from the manufacturer? Or is the Xeon processor just much better than the Intel Core i5-6500?

I use my computer mostly for the following: web browsing, watching streaming videos (on Youtube, Vimeo, Facebook), watching DVDs, listening to CDs, and word processing.

So, which of the above three computers is the best one for me?

Thank you for any help you can give me.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
While last unit with current gen i7 is very nice.
Feb 20, 2017 2:06PM PST

Why not move your current machine into this year with a new SSD. For just over 100 I would change the boot drive to a 500GB ish SSD and most likely beat the machines you listed on boot time and more.

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Answer
Go cheap
Feb 20, 2017 3:26PM PST

As mentioned a 480/500GB ssd is about $125.
With a little luck your hdd is still alive enough that you can clone it to the ssd.
Then it's just a matter of remove hdd, install ssd and good to go.

You've got plenty of machine for your needs and 3 more years of support for w7.
After that you can go look for a new machine.

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Not interested in an SSD at this time
Feb 20, 2017 6:50PM PST

Hi, guys. Thanks for the responses.

Unfortunately, I'm not really interested in an SSD at this time. From what I've heard, SSDs don't last as long as HDDs. There is supposedly a limit to the number of times a specific memory cell inside an SSD can be changed, and that limit shortens the longevity of an SSD.

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You're reading old news.
Feb 20, 2017 6:52PM PST

And passing up the opportunity to save bucks and your time.

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Limit
Feb 20, 2017 10:22PM PST

Yes there is a limit.
If your an average user you won't hit that limit for 15+ years.
Wearing out a ssd is the least of your worries.
Perhaps it's best you don't get a ssd, you'd be spoiled for life.

If your set against a ssd get a hdd and clone to it.

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Not only that,
Feb 21, 2017 9:04AM PST

Their experience is that HDDs didn't last that long.

I've run into a few SSD naysayers and have to let them rattle along.

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A SSD is the best performance
Feb 21, 2017 5:54AM PST

you can use enhancement you can give to a PC. It's well worth is.

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Answer
More Research
Feb 20, 2017 10:53PM PST

I did some more research into the computers mentioned in my original post.

The HP EliteDesk 800 G2 Desktop Computer (price $580) has a DVD-ROM drive. That means that the computer can play DVDs but can not burn DVDs. That sounds kind of limiting. That could be why the price is so low.

The Lenovo computer seems to have a DVD+/-RW drive, which would allow me to burn DVDs. However, I found a website which shows a LOT of complaints about Lenovo. Here is the website:

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/lenovo.html

So, is Lenovo a bad company making bad computers? Or are the complaints overblown?

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Want vs need
Feb 21, 2017 12:39AM PST

I don't see where you 'need' a new machine.
If you 'want' a new machine that's different, it's your money.

A dvd r/w unit is about 20 bucks and easy to change.
You could even remove the dvd from the old machine and put it in the new machine.

Since these machines are in a local store go have a look at what's being sold.

Your link is about lenovo machines in general.
You might see the same thing for any brand machine.

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Can not boot current HDD
Feb 21, 2017 10:45AM PST

"I don't see where you 'need' a new machine."

Actually, I haven't been able to boot up the HDD on my current machine since Sunday evening. The machine hangs during the boot process, and I turn the machine off. I'm typing this message on a different computer. However, all my data from my current machine is backed up. So, I'm not worried about data retrieval.

Now, if I can no longer boot up the HDD on my current machine, but I still want Win 7, what do I do?

If the HDD can not be booted up, can the HDD still be cloned to a new HDD? If the HDD can not be cloned, should I buy a new HDD and a Win 7 installation disk (a new Win 7 license)?

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About that license.
Feb 21, 2017 10:55AM PST

I can't guess your license situation so moving on.

Since you want Win 7 and this machine is otherwise good, my choice is a new SSD and reinstall. Cheapest exit and a huge step up in overall performance.

I think you are reading old news about SSD and wear out. Today SSDs look to be on track to last longer than HDDs.

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Clone
Feb 21, 2017 11:09AM PST

You can try to clone the old hdd and see what happens.

If you don't have a w7 install disc or recovery media then you will need to buy another w7 copy.

Can you boot to safe mode?

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Creating recovery media
Feb 21, 2017 12:36PM PST

Right now, I'm using a laptop with Win 7. I have some blank DVD-R disks. Can I use this laptop and the DVD-R disks to create some sort of recovery disks that can boot up the "problem" HDD on the "bad" machine?

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I'm going with no.
Feb 21, 2017 12:58PM PST

Windows is one of those OSes that just doesn't transplant well. You have left the forum guessing what's up with your Windows 7 media and license but there's no need to fret about Windows 7 install media. I can still make an install DVD using this link.

https://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/

On a fresh install of Windows 7 (mind you never revealed if you had the Windows 7 SP1 DVD, read https://www.howtogeek.com/255435/how-to-update-windows-7-all-at-once-with-microsofts-convenience-rollup/ to save yourself a lot of days.

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Tried to get Win 7 software from Microsoft ... and failed
Feb 21, 2017 2:00PM PST

I went to the following website:

https://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/

That website led me to the following website:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

On the download website, I entered the product key that was printed on a sticker that was located on the side of my computer box.

I got the following message:

Error

The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer. Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options.


I did find the following article:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/lost-your-windows-discs-how-to-get-replacement-media-legally/

In this article, the author talks about how to get replacement software from HP. However, his information may be outdated. The HP website looks different from the way he describes. Also, the author mentions that it may be possible to get replacement software from some third-party vendors. Do you guys know any good vendors?

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Then you want the OEM restore media.
Feb 21, 2017 2:19PM PST

I can't guess how you got along without getting ready for this day but time to hit HP up for the restore media. Here that's from 35 to 50USD and half price of a new license.

Reading your post I fear you didn't contact HP and are trying to go it alone.

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PS. HP and another link.
Feb 21, 2017 2:27PM PST
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Found recovery CDs/DVDs --- Have a few questions
Feb 21, 2017 4:24PM PST

Well, the HP Support website did not help. Unfortunately, there was no link on the website for ordering recovery CDs/DVDs for my computer. According to the HP Support website, this means that HP does not *have* any recovery CDs/DVDs for my computer.

However, the restoredisks.com website *does* have recovery CDs/DVDs for my computer, at a cost of only $27. So, thank you very much for bringing this website to my attention.

Now, I do have a few questions.

1) The restoredisks.com FAQ states the following:

"During the pc restore, your pc’s Bios on the Motherboard will scan your hardware. If the Bios does not recognize a piece of hardware because you changed it or upgraded which is not compatible with what shipped originally with your model, your pc will give you an error during the restore."

I'm going to be installing Win 7 Home Premium (64-bit) onto a brand new, blank HDD, which I will purchase. Does the new HDD have to be the same exact type of HDD that I had before? If my new HDD has twice the capacity as the old one (2 TB) but still has the same speed (7200 RPM), would that be OK?

2) I see HDDs that are called "bare drives", and I see HDDs in boxes.

bare drive:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/398271/Blue_1TB_7,200_RPM_SATA_III_60Gb-s_35_Internal_Hard_Drive_WD10EZEX_-_Bare_Drive

HDD in box:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/454561/P300_2TB_7,200_RPM_SATA_III_6Gb-s_35_Desktop_Internal_Hard_Drive_-_HDWD120XZSTA

Which one should I buy?

3) During installation, should I remove the old HDD and simply install the new HDD into the same slot/bay? Or should I remove the old HDD and install the new HDD into the expansion bay?

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1. Yes to exact TYPE.
Feb 21, 2017 4:27PM PST

To me the type is SATA or IDE/PATA. My bet is that this is untrue but if a client wants to pin you down, then you go with yes.

2. I would not buy either. I'd get the 500GBish SSD and enjoy the new century of computing.

3. Yes and no. (you asked 2 questions and that's my answer to the first and second question.)

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Answer
Well one thing about Windows 7
Feb 21, 2017 6:43AM PST

is it's getting closer to the end of support and another thing is MS stopped doing service packs whiich means it will take hours to install updates when you get a Windows 7 machine.

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Answer
Booted up "bad" HDD ... how do I create Win 7 Install disc?
Feb 22, 2017 4:31PM PST

Well, I managed to boot up the "bad" HDD. I went into the computer's BIOS (by pressing F10 during booting), and I went into the "Boot" dropdown menu. I saw that the HDD was NOT the first thing in the boot order. So, I changed the boot order and made the HDD the first thing. The HDD booted up, but very slowly, much slower than before.

I went into the "Backup and Restore" section of the Control Panel, and I created a "Windows 7, 64-bit" System Repair Disc. However, I don't think that this System Repair Disc is a Win 7 Installation Disc.

The "Backup and Restore" section also has a "Create System Image" feature. But I don't think that this System Image is a Win 7 Installation Disc, either.

Am I supposed to create a Win 7 Installation Disc from my HDD? Or am I supposed to get the Installation Disc at restoredisks.com?

Also, I found the following website:

https://www.pcsteps.com/45-download-windows-7-iso-legally-free-digital-river/

According to this website, I can go to the German website http://mirror.corenoc.de/ and download an ISO for "Win 7 Home Premium, 64-bit, SP1". The ISO would be downloaded as a torrent, and would be burned onto a DVD.

Is it a good idea to download a Win 7 ISO from this German website? Or should I go to restoredisks.com?

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On Windows 7, each maker had it's own method.
Feb 22, 2017 4:40PM PST

It was a mess of a problem. Even from the same maker I would find differences in how to create restore media.

" obtain recovery discs from HP Support, or use Recovery Manager software to create a set of recovery discs yourself
. HP recommends creating a set of recovery discs when you receive your computer and storing them in a safe place. Support Sent Recovery Discs can take as long as 4 to 6 hours to complete system recovery"

If you were able to boot up, see if you can find a menu item or app called Recovery Manager.

------------> BIG DEAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That last post has me thinking you plugged the HDD into some other SATA port. Your boot drive SHALL be in the lowest numbered SATA port.

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My HDD and My System Repair Disc
Feb 22, 2017 10:35PM PST

First of all, my HDD is where it has always been. I have never removed the HDD from the computer.

However, I once had to loosen the graphics card, remove the RAM memory cards, put back the RAM memory cards, and then re-tighten the graphics card. I did this because my computer's hibernate feature was malfunctioning and the HDD was not booting up. After I removed and reinserted the memory cards, the computer booted up properly. I then disabled the hibernate feature.

According to what I read at the time, a lot of HP computers had a malfunctioning hibernate feature. HP knew about this and still sold those computers.

As for Recovery Manager and recovery software, I did create a System Repair Disc. But what is this disc supposed to accomplish? Is it supposed to help my machine boot up if my HDD is malfunctioning?

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Re: system repair disc
Feb 22, 2017 11:56PM PST

Usually, it's meant to fix Windows if that gets corrupted or to reinstall Windows on a new hard disk.

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I've encountered old machines that break the SATA Port rule.
Feb 23, 2017 10:14AM PST

It doesn't mean it was right from day one. You can debate it, learn more or just ignore me. I don't mind and don't want to upset you here.

As to the Recovery Manager it's for a full reset.
The System Repair Disc is usually to do minor repairs and rarely is good enough (remember about how all over the map recovery systems are) for a new drive.

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Hdd
Feb 22, 2017 5:23PM PST

If that hdd semi works clone it ASAP.
Do not use that hdd for anything.
Shut the machine off, get your new hdd and a clone util.
Connect your new hdd and boot the clone util, let it fly.
If the clone is successful you'll save yourself a lot of time and a headache.

Then you can look around to see if there is a factory restore media creator program or you need to spend 30 bucks to buy the media.

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To Clone or not to Clone
Feb 22, 2017 10:15PM PST

Well, here's the thing.

I have all of my data files backed up.

So, should I clone a bad HDD with bad settings to a brand new HDD?

Or, should I install a clean copy of Win 7 (using my old Product Key) inside a brand new HDD, and then copy my data files to the brand new HDD? I do have some free apps that I downloaded from the Internet and installed on my HDD. But I can always re-download those apps and re-install them on a new HDD.

And what is this "factory restore media creator program"? Are you talking about a Win 7 Installation Disc? I'm confused.

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Clone
Feb 23, 2017 12:31AM PST

If the only thing wrong with that hdd is the machine is having trouble reading it and you can get a clone to function then you've got everything on to a good hdd.

If you go with a clean install then you've got 100's of updates to apply, plus your apps, plus 'your stuff'.

Trying to get all those updates out of msft for and old version of w7 can be a bit of a chore.

"factory restore media creator program"
This goes by different names depending on the machine maker, for hp it's this.
http://h20331.www2.hp.com/hpsub/cache/312352-0-0-225-121.html

I don't know what disc you have created but if it's the factory restore it should be bootable.
If you run it the disc will restore the software to the factory shipped condition.

I'd try the clone first.

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Answer
Overachiever
Feb 25, 2017 5:39PM PST

If what you are running is true you are wasting electricity.
Those applications would probably run fine on a Chrome Box.
Are there problems with your existing, is money burning a hole in your pocket or are you just bored?

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Answer
Update on my situation
Mar 2, 2017 7:36PM PST

OK. So here's an update on my situation.

I have decided that I will NOT migrate the contents of the "bad" HDD to a new HDD.

Instead, I will install a clean copy of Win 7 Home Premium (64-bit), SP1, to a new HDD.


I have already downloaded an ISO file for Win 7 Home Premium (64-bit), SP1, from some mirror site. And I used a checksum app to verify that this ISO file is, indeed, the correct ISO file. Furthermore, I have already burned this ISO file to a DVD-R.


The only thing left to do is to buy a new HDD. But which HDD do I buy?


My current HDD is the following:

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS
1 TB, 7200 RPM, 32 MB Cache, SATA 6.0 GB/s
3.5" Internal Hard Drive


The main HDD brand names are Seagate, Western Digital (WD), Toshiba, and HGST.

Seagate has received a lot of bad reviews. For example, Seagate HDDs get bad sector errors. Toshiba HDDs supposedly have issues with heads getting stuck to platters.

On the other hand, HDDs from WD seem to have great reviews, especially the WD Black HDDs. However, the most recent WD Black HDDs seem to be very loud, and I would prefer a relatively quiet HDD. Would a WD Blue HDD have excellent quality and be relatively quiet? HDDs from HGST also have great reviews. Are HGST HDDs quiet?

So, which brand is the best?


The next question is, how much storage should the new HDD have? My current HDD has 1 TB of storage, but I want the new HDD to have 2 TB of storage. If I install into my computer an HDD that has 7200 RPM and SATA 6.0 GB/s (same as my current HDD), but 2 TB (64 MB Cache), as opposed to 1 TB (32 MB Cache), would that be OK?