Help, Hard Disk Failure

Things are going well, no apology necessary, my previous posts are confusing, even when I re-read them, LOL!!

Right now, I am preparing to save my own recovery media from the Microsoft site. I have my product key, so we'll see if all goes ok with the download to my USB Flashdrive. I've checked all the specs for this pc, but already knew it works with Win 10. I have decided to use Windows 10 again because I have become familiar with it, and guess I just don't want the hassle of going back to 7, and readjusting myself to that. I have my product key to plug-in at the download site, and a 32 GB flashdrive (should be enough, lol). Then I should only have to wait for the new HDD to be delivered.

If this all goes well, I will only have spent 62 dollars. We'll see, so far so good. Going back over everyone's instruction, I realized I could get my own "free" copy of Win 7 or 10 and download it to my flash.

 

Ok, that was too easy. When I downloaded the mediacreationtoo.exe, now it's on my flashdrive. This is probably a way stupid question, but do I go ahead an install it on the Flashdrive, or wait and upload the .exe file and install on my Toshiba with the new HDD?

 

Again - good thinking-- taking time to see your options, and keeping to minimum spend. As you had the windows 10 update, when you install windows 10, it should install without the key, and activate the first time you go on-line (mine did when I re-installed to get clean setup) I seem to remember that the digital key that we get , being the original w7, or, 8, was the recognised on-line as your digital key - I seem to remember trying my existing key first, and it did not accept it, but by not putting the key in, it activated on-line.
The download should be done s an' iso' then extracted to the usb
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD or ISO file) to install Windows 10 on a different PC (click to show more or less information)


Follow these steps to create installation media (USB flash drive or DVD) that you can use to install a new copy of Windows 10, perform a clean installation or reinstall Windows 10.


Using the tool to create installation media:

1. Select Download tool now and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.
2. If you agree to the licence terms, select Accept.
3. On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC and then select Next.
4. Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10. This table will help you decide which edition of Windows 10 you’ll choose:
5. READTHE WHOLE ARTICLE

 

The download from this site was done as an .exe file, unless I downloaded the wrong thing? It is the mediacreationtool.exe.

 

It sounds like you just have downloaded the media creation tool- you download windows 10 setup, then - I found it best to do as an 'iso' so that I had my Windows 10 to use again, if first time went wrong.
If you scroll down the page and click on
Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD or ISO file) to install Windows 10 on a different PC (click to show more or less information)
It will explain better

 

Did you look at the site Bak, it told me to download the tool. I don't understand what is next though. The instruction on there doesn't say exactly what to do with the .exe file. Doesn't that tool allow you to download the win 10? I need to know where to install the tool (.exe file) on the flash, or wait and install on the new HDD? Then I can move onto getting the Win 10 ISO right?

 

Have a look over here.
https://techjourney.net/download-of...-dvd-media-creation-tool-without-product-key/

 

Hi Eldon,

I found something I can follow finally here:
http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-create-bootable-windows-10-usb-flash-drive-guide/

I think I'll be ok now, just didn't make sense because it required 4 gb, or so, I think, and the tool .exe was just using 17. mb or so

 

Same site- my bit was further down the page- this way you have the iso ready to burn onto usb, so you could do it before the hard drive comes.
After you open thee media creation tool, the download will begin - I downloaded the media creation tool to my desktop.

 

Both sites explain it, but the media creation tool needs to be on your laptop/computer.
If you are sure your laptop will not crash while doing it, you can choose usb flash drive instead of iso, and it will put w10 setup on the flash drive ready to install on your laptop, without worry.

 

I got it all, it's on my flashdrive. Now I will just need that HDD to show up in the mail, LOL!!

Thanks for your help, I was able to following that site easy. Just needed to be sure I was supposed to install it on the flash

 

Yes, a raw hard drive is just that — a hard drive with no caddy. The caddy is what's holding the current hard drive in place in the Toshiba. So, you'd have to pull the caddy with the old drive in it, remove the old drive from the caddy, put the new drive in the caddy and re-insert the caddy in the Toshiba.

An external drive can come in an enclosure, for instance, a WD Passport. If you were to open the enclosure on one of those, you would void the warranty as Eldon stated.

You can also "make" your own external drive by purchasing a raw hard drive and a separate enclosure and putting the raw drive in the enclosure. It's how ALL of my external drives are.

 

Ok, that's what I thought because the first video I looked at on youtube yesterday, shows the guy unscrewing the HDD from a little "carrier" (now I know they call it a caddy). I know those pics I sent you asking if I should buy one of those, those were actually only caddies "for" a hdd, duh. No wonder they were so cheap, LOL!!

 

It is confusing. That's why 'enclosure' is the better word.
For interest sake... have a look at this short description.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caddy_(hardware)

 

Ok, but I kind of like this, sort of sums it up for someone that has never understood why they call it "soft" ware, lol!!

a thingamajig that screws onto the other thingamajig, and fits right in there (as she points)

 

To clarify things for future reference:

Caddies are for use INSIDE the computer. Enclosures are for use OUTSIDE of the computer. I've seen the word "caddy" used interchangeably but, in fact, they are two separate entities.

You ordered from ebay and they give an ESTIMATED arrival date. Your item could arrive sooner than their estimate (mine usually do).

 

Ok, I didn't have that straight, so thanks because I'll probably run into that "term" if I do get an external hard drive. I learned about Dropbox several years ago when I took some classes at our community college. I looked it up again, and it holds things (up to a certain amount) free as well. I can't remember how many GB's but I'll check on it. That might be the way to go. I already know I can back up my photos, doc, and games easily enough. And now I know I can restore my Windows if need be, for free with my product key. Thanks mdonah

 

I have a Dropbox account myself. I've also got Google Drive, One Drive, Mega and PCloud. NONE of their freeware accounts give you enough space to back up your entire System drive. You'd need to "rent" additional space. One recent ad I saw had a "sale" on 1 TB of cloud storage for $40/year. I don't know what Dropbox charges.

But, I prefer my backups be in my hands rather than in "cyberspace". I image my drives with AOMEI Backupper and have those backups on an external drive (which is in an enclosure and connects to my computers by USB cable).

 

I found that AOMEI and downloaded the other day. I think that would be best, to just buy an external in or with an enclosure

Sound good, then no worries. I don't like the idea of my stull being out in cyberspace, plus the cost. For the external drive and caddy, one-time cost, I like that idea way better

 

You can also use one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-SATA-Drive-Adapter-Cable/dp/B00HJZJI84

No enclosure required. Just be very careful with the old drive. Looks like it's on death's door.

 

Seems to be the general consensus, although I didn't have a clue how to read that report. Everything is working like normal, but if you are all right about it, it will poop out anytime. The new HDD will be here Monday. I have an older laptop that I can still "play" on, and ready to roll when the new HDD gets here.

I'll read up on what that is in your link. Might be something I can use in the future, just have to figure out what it is Thank you much

 

For your backup hard drive, I would recommend an external hard drive in an enclosure, for protection of the hard drive from static, as you will handle it more than you realise for backups, and damage when putting away in a cupboard, or wherever when not in use. The drive adaptor is o.k for us geeks, who handle things much more, and swap about a lot, and generally more aware of static on computer parts, and often use wrist straps specially for handling - as these earth to a metal radiator, or pipe.

 

I received my new HDD 3 days early, today!! Now I need to ask if I wait for the other to give out, or just install the new one now. I think I am "maybe" having some "slow-down" issues that could be from the HDD giving out, but it could also be weather.

What do you guys do if your HDD is still going along decently for you, wait, or go ahead on new HDD installation? Thank you much, as always, denise

 

I would install the new one as soon as possible.
Remember to handle by the sides, and not to touch the 'teeth'.
Put the old hard drive into the antistatic cover that you remove from the new hard drive to keep it safe , until you are sure there is nothing you need on it - things like application registration numbers that can be got before you remove it, if you wish by Balec advisor-download from majorgeeks
http://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/getmirror/belarc_advisor,1.html

 

Can you tell me a little about "why" that's the better idea. I know it could just crash I suppose, but it's working fine. Nothing is going wrong, so just wondering the pros and cons on the new installation now or later

 

Well, choose a time that you can be without it, for a few hours, as it is always better to err on the side of caution - It could start getting more errors, and then become difficult to start, and you can find it could come up with 'such and such dll not found' -just shut down, or, freeze when you last expect it.
I f you fit the new one, as soon as you can, and it has not been all updated as you would like, you still have the option to put the old hard drive in, and get on-line without any frustration, and put the new one in , if you want too update as you need. If the old hard drive crashes, you will not have a reserve.
That is what I would do, but you can wait until it crashes, if you wish.

 

Belarc advisor will want to update, so allow it to, and then run it - will show you all your software registration numbers, and you can print them out to keep in case you need them again

 

I don't understand this part baklogic "If you fit the new one, as soon as you can, and it has not been all updated as you would like, you still have the option to put the old hard drive in, and get on-line without any frustration, and put the new one in , if you want too update as you need.

I thought the new HDD is blank basically. Is it supposed to have something on it? I don't understand putting the old one back in, getting online, and put the new one in??

 

Sorry, When you fit the new hard drive, you have to put your recovery usb in the usb drive and as it starts, it should start loading from the usb and installing the system - if it does not, you will just have to -if I remember correctly, press f12 to get the boot menu, and enter it to click the arrow buttons down to usb, and set to boot from usb.. When it has installed, it will need updating as there will be windows updates galore, which can take time- the antivirus will also need updating (I usually do that first) etcetera.
Sorry, again -put the new hard drive in AFTER removing the existing one. Then keep the existing hard drive that you remove into the static resistant cover that you remove from the new harrddrive before you fit it. Keep the hard drive that you take out as a standby,if you like, in case you have any problems installing the new system on the new hard drive, so tah you can get on -line if you need help

 

How to access boot menu on your laptop


If you need to update the drivers once you have windows installed
http://support.toshiba.com/support/modelHome?freeText=3253779&osId=31

 

Ok, I get it now, plus I have the other instructions someone gave me to follow, step by step. But now that I understand what you were saying, I was prepared for everything except in case my media recovery (flash drive with Win 10) doesn't work for some reason, thank you so much, again I'll also take a good look at the "how to access" boot menu in case

Talk to you later, hopefully, it won't be any big deal for me hope hope hope. I'm not going to attempt it today, too tired, but early morning tomorrow is when I plan to do it denise

 

If you're using Firefox, you can backup your preferences, extensions, bookmarks, etc. using FEBE.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/firefox_extension_backup_(febe).html

Here's the latest version.
http://softwarebychuck.com/febe/febe.html

 

Thanks Eldon, wondered if there was a way to do that. I have my bookmark toolbar the way I like it, and it would be nice to save that and the other things. I use Palemoon. Can I use FEBE for that? I'll check myself in case you aren't around this time of day denise

 

That is great!! Thank you David, great idea denise

 

Is this going to do the trick for my Palemoon 27.0.0 (x64) guys?? Or gals??

 

All I can say is... try it.
It's 7:20 PM in SA... time to 'braai' (barbecue) and drink beer.

 

LOL, fine, just go have fun while I'm struggling through this horrific ordeal, LOL, nah, just kiddin, I got this Have a good one Eldon!! I forgot to put in the link, duh

https://www.palemoon.org/backuptool.shtml

 

FEBE 8.3.1-signed (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/febe/versions/?page=1#version-8.3.1-signed) and OPIE 5.0.2.1-signed (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/opie/versions/?page=1#version-5.0.2.1-signed) should work.

Source: Pale Moon forum.

 

Go for it, you will do O.K
REMOVE EXISTING HARD DRIVE, PUT IN NEW HARD DRIVE,

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/lapto...775-L770-L775D-L770D/laptop-disassembly-1.htm

PUT USB IN THE USB SLOT, AS IT STARTS GO INTO BIOS, AND SELECT THE USB TO BOOT FROM,

AND YOU WILL BE AWAY, --SEE YOU IN AN HOUR , OR, SO.-- 6P.M in UK

 

Ok Bak, thanks, I needed that, kind of scarey. I didn't know what would be on the HDD but it's sinking in finally. I see the Toshiba screen comes up, and I just need to hold down the F12 I think it was, but I'll make sure which, and then pick which drive to boot from which will be my "flash in USB" Got it, see you soon denise

 

I belong to that forum but couldn't get signed in for whatever reason. Anyway, I found that Palemoonbackuptool. I put that on a flashdrive, and I'll go ahead and get one of the above as well, just in case Thanks Satrow. I can reconstruct my Palemoon easily enough, but nice if I can save my settings denise

 

A big welcome to you as a new geek to be

 

The new one is in so now I am going for the boot process. i'm on my old laptop now So far so good guys, easy breezy. i put the old hdd right into the anti static case the new one came in, just in case i need it later never touched a thing except the edges Bak

 

it's not takin my prod. key. maybe because the laptop came with 7 and i did the win 10 upgrade. i know we talked about that, and what i understood was the key then became assigned to the free upgrade.

 

Go back one on the install, and carry on without th key- mine did the same- once loaded it will activate on-line- yours will be a digital licence
Found this for you
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...duct-key/523e6231-88bf-4764-8235-412f2bfc257e
Digital license (called a digital entitlement in Windows 10 Version 1511) is a method of activation in Windows 10 that doesn't require you to enter a product key.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activation

 

Skip that part. You don't need to put in a product key to reinstall the Windows 10.

 

oh geez, ok guys, rollin again now thanks so much;
)

 

Denise, if you joined up to the Pale Moon forum some time ago, you might need to re-register there, Moonchild did some cleaning out of old accounts (I think they were mostly unused or from throwaway email addresses) some time ago.

 

loading will take a bit it looks like, here's where i am now