Using a recovery disk on a new hard drive

My hard drive is about to die I suspect, so I am replacing it soon. However I don't have the original Windows cd, only a recovery disk from the manufacturer. Can I install this on a new hard drive?

 

Yes, you can, but the new disk needs to be at least as big as the old one or it may not work. If the disk is larger you may find there is unallocated space on the new disk, which you can then use for another partition or to expand the main one into.

 

Thanks Earthling

 

Ask the manufacturer. There are two kinds of recovery CDs. One allows you to restore the computer to the factory settings because it looks for a hidden partition on the hd to work; the other allows you to install on any hard drive as long as it is installed into the original computer.

 

Thanks plodr - I'll check.