Preparing a new HDD for use

Hello all,

I must replace the HDD in a laptop because the old one is corrupted.

I am doing this for a friend.

I have: a laptop I am using, which has a download of Windows 8 on it; a new HDD; a caddy.

However, I'm not sure how to link the pieces.

How should I install the OS onto the new HDD? Should I put it in the caddy and somehow do it that way, or put new HDD into laptop and install via a CD>
I should add I also have a disk image of sorts from her old drive. Seems to be a back up.

Any help gratefully appreciated.
Bob

If the old HDD or its filesystem is corrupt, I would not image (clone) them to replace. You will just be cloning the problem.

I would suggest replacing the HDD and then clean installing Windows and all software from scratch. Then restore the important settings/files from the old drive.

Prepare before you begin. Make sure you have your Windows 8 DVD or bootable USB key made, a legal license key, and all software installers, keys, etc. Also download all drivers for the system.

Okay thanks for the reply.

In the HDD it would seem someone already made a copy of the OS.

There are things called ODD files which have what looks like an OS inside. How can I make this bootable. I tried to make a bootable USB drive however when inserted the BIOS message simply says missing operating system.

I've never heard of an ODD file, but that is just me. If Windows is an installer download it should be an ISO. It could be "recovery" files from the PC OEM but I know nothing about those. If you have an ISO, Microsoft provides a tool to make that into a bootable USB.

I found these in her old HDD, I can't seem to insert an image...

Boot
EFI
HDDPREP
HTMPREP
Sources
Tools
bootmgr

int hat order in a folder called ODDfiles

Have you made the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

I would recommend you making the OEM manufacturer's Recovery DVD's or USB drive.
or
You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the OEM manufacturer's website.