Computer HDD Error on Gateway Laptop.

[TheGuyWithAHat]

I have an idea. What if I boot from the drive (Sister's drive) and restore that to factory default and install drivers (I have them on a USB stick) and go from there? Could that work?

 

[Ztruker]

How will you restore since the restore partition is on the old drive currently in your computer?

I'd say stay with using Macrium to clone the old to your sisters drive, then remove your and install heres. System should boot right up with no problems.

 

[TheGuyWithAHat]

Can you please re-word the top sentance?

 

[Ztruker]

The drive that is currently in your computer, the one that has SMART problems, is the drive that would have the restore partition, if there is one.

If you install the drive from your sister, it will not have that restore partition so there would be no way to do the restore to factory state.

 

[TheGuyWithAHat]

No, I meant removing all my sister's Documents, Files, Account etc. and using the Blue restore thingy-majigy and leaving the Base OS then install drivers and get my account. Is it possible? Sorry if i caused confusion.

 

[Ztruker]

I don't know what a "Blue restore thingy-majigy" is, sorry. Can you explain.

I'm pretty sure without the original drive, no restore/recovery is going to work.

 

[TheGuyWithAHat]

You know, System Tools, that thing with the restore/refresh function you boot from? and I'm pretty much suggesting abandoning the drive and booting my sister's drive then doing what I said.

 

[Ztruker]

I know I'm being dense here but I don't have a clue what you mean, unless you are talking about a Windows Install DVD and doing a fresh (Clean) install. If you have one that is a good way to go.

Other than that I just don't understand what you are describing.

 

[TheGuyWithAHat]

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial/4935-startup-options-menu-boot-windows-8-a.html

That's what i'm talking about.

 

[Ztruker]

Okay, thanks. The only options that will work for you are FOUR and SEVEN which require a Windows 8/8.1 installation DVD. None of the others will work as they depend on information stored on the hard drive which you will have replaced with the one from your sister.

Do you have a Windows 8/8.1 installation DVD? If not then your only option is to clone your old drive to the new one from your sister.

 

[TheGuyWithAHat]

Well I dont have a Install disk, but im not looking to use the information on the old disk. I'm just looking for the reguler Win 8 install on my sister's drive. From which then I shall install my programs. It should be compatble but with no drivers, which is no problem.

 

[Ztruker]

If the drive came from a Win 8 system then it may have a recovery partition but there is no regular Win 8 install. You may or may not be able to start the recovery process by pressing a Fn key at boot. Which one to press varies with each manufacturer so you would need to check the Users Guide for your computer.

If this doesn't work then your back to cloning you old drive or finding a windows 8 install DVD to use.

What is the make and full model number of your laptop?

 

[TheGuyWithAHat]

Mine:
Gateway Notebook NE51B



Sister's:
Acer Aspire 5532

 

[Ztruker]

No where in the Users Guide does it tell you how to restore the computer at boot time.

You're best bet at this point is to try and boot your sisters drive. If it works, use the recovery process for ACER:

 

[TheGuyWithAHat]

I'll try. Well first, how do I safely remove the HDD?

 

[Ztruker]

There will be a removable cover on the bottom of each laptop that you need to remove. Then you may have to remove one opr more screws to loosen the hard drive then remove it. Each drive may have an adapter on it to connect it to the laptop, some do, some don't. They may or may not be the same so you are going to have to look at them and see if they have them and if so move one to the other.

It's not difficult, just takes a few minutes and careful observation.

You could also look at the Users Guide for each laptop to see what it says about removing the hard drive. You can find them on the web site for each laptop.

 

[TheGuyWithAHat]

Will I get electrocuted?

 

[Ztruker]

No, you unplug the power adapter when you work on the computer.

Perhaps you should take it to a shop and have them do the drive swap and recovery.

 

[TheGuyWithAHat]

Bad sectors make me sad. I replaced the drive and I heard clicking and no booting. It was a simple process but it took long. Both displays (VGA Moniter and Laptop display) were blank, wiith no output on the VGA Moniter.





Edit: Booted up old drive. Status: Working fine but still have error. I also fell off my chair while working on the Laptop on a nearby stool.

 

[Ztruker]

So your sisters drive had a problem? Bummer!

Are you going to get a new one?