How To Replace The Hard Drive In My Vista Computer?

I want to replace the internal drive in my HP Pavilion Vista (SP1) computer. I think it has a problem when it is cold. After sitting off over night the system has problems starting in the mornings. This happens if I put the computer to sleep or if I perform its shut-down sequence. If it does come up, the mouse and keyboard become unresponsive a few minutes after the desktop appears. After fiddling with it for an hour or so I can get it up to a point where the mouse and keyboard will keep responding as long as I do not put the computer to sleep or shut it down.

The computer is set up to start using the HD. When I use start by using the BIOS I cannot find where to change to a different boot device. The system came Windows Vista SP1 installed but without any installation disks. The current hard drive has a Z: partition on it for recovery purposes.

When I bought the computer it did not come with any installation disks and all it has is a Z: partition for recovery. The computer is not connected to the internet. I'm assuming that when I buy a new internal drive it will not be formatted or have an OS on it. Where can I find reliable information that will tell me how to get an OS onto the HD after I install it? I do have four Recovery DVDs but I'm not sure if they will work.

If I am not able to get the system running reliably I would like to be able to use the replacement drive in one of my other computers.

 

Is this the computer? HP Pavilion Desktop 510-p114
Probably not since that model shipped with Windows 10 and not Vista.
Source: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05278338

Please post the model of Pavilion you are asking about.

 

Here's the info on the Vista computer:

Computer Model Number: HP Pavilion a6400f PC
Product ID: KJ379AA-ABA
Serial Number: CNX81209YC
Product Key from Microsoft sticker: C9JXV-Y8GDB-YYV3F-*****-*****
Processor: Intel Dual Core E2200
RAM: 3072 MB
Hard Drive: 500 GB
Graphics: Intel Media Accelerator 3100
Operating System: Microsoft Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1 (6.0.6001)
Unknown Number: JVMJF RGCHT DBCTP ***** *****
Power Supply Data Bestec Model: ATX-250-12Z Rev. D7R
BST ATX 250-12Z D7R
HP PN 5188-2622
+5 V & 3.+3 V = 165 watts maximum
+5 V & +12 V = 218 watts maximum
(The stars indicate data that I have removed. Sorry I didn't post this before.)

HP no longer provides info about the Vista OS.
I downloaded the Macrium recovery software but am having problems getting "authenticated".
I don't want to buy another HD and then have no way to install the Vista OS on it.

 

Your simplest solution would be to clone your present hard drive to a new SATA drive. You would need a USB SATA external hard disk enclosure, a new SATA hard disk (min 500Gb), and cloning software such as Macrium Reflect Free. Once your clone is complete you would need to open your PC box to remove the HDD and attach the new HDD in its place. Total cost about £50-60.

If you feel this is not too much of a challenge then have a go but there's always someone local happy to do it for you.

 

"I downloaded the Macrium recovery software but am having problems getting "authenticated."

Personally, I would just buy a replacement PC, but to be slightly more helpful... there are websites out there where you can download older versions of current software. Google up and look for an old Marcrium version appropriate for Vista. Then follow Earthling's advice above.

 

Personally, so would I!
The only reason I don't dump the Vista computer is that it runs Corel version 12, a program that I've been using since 2004. I could use OpenOffice Draw but it lacks the features that the old Corel 12 has. And, I would have to learn a new drawing program. At my age that can be somewhat difficult.

So I'll think about it PLODR's solution. A decent hard drive will cost around $80, an enclosure about $30, and Macrium Reflect for about $45 (all including tax and shipping), so that's $150. A rather expensive alternative would be to buy the new Corel software for $325. (Gee that's half the cost of a new decent computer!)

As long as I don't power the system down, everything appears to be running smoothly.

 

Seagate 1Tb Barracuda £35, Enclosure £25, Macrium is free. Total £50 ($70)

 

Here's your free version of Macrium for Vista, clean on VirusTotal

http://www.oldversion.com/windows/macrium-reflect-4-2-2525

 

Thank you for the link to macrium reflect!