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Windows 8 reinstall with no media

  • 12-05-2014 05:23PM
    #1
    jpfahy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,043 ✭✭✭


    I have a Packard Bell Windows 8 laptop on which the HDD has physically died. I have no backup or install media. It's out of warranty. I have bought a new hard disk, now how the hell do I get it up and running again?????


Comments

  • #2
    Stuxnet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,739 ✭✭✭Stuxnet


    I would use a linux live cd/usb to mount the broken hdd, see if you can copy off the install.wim from the recovery partition and use that to make a recovery cd/usb. Unless there is a two inch hole gaping through the hdd, hdd's are rarely broken, stuff can be resuced off them easily with a live usb, create an ubuntu live usb with this if your not familiar, it easy, and boot the usb as you would boot a cd OS, you should be able access your hdd then and have a poke around.


  • #3
    jpfahy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,043 ✭✭✭jpfahy


    Stuxnet wrote: »
    I would use a linux live cd/usb to mount the broken hdd, see if you can copy off the install.wim from the recovery partition and use that to make a recovery cd/usb. Unless there is a two inch hole gaping through the hdd, hdd's are rarely broken, stuff can be resuced off them easily with a live usb, create an ubuntu live usb with this if your not familiar, it easy, and boot the usb as you would boot a cd OS, you should be able access your hdd then and have a poke around.

    Thanks but the hard drive is physically dead, won't spin up. Kaput, Knackered, Kicked the bucket!!


  • #4
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,683 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Windows 8 media is downloadable from digital river, I'm almost definitely absolutely positive. USB install option is a definite.


  • #5
    aidan_walsh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,208 ✭✭✭✭aidan_walsh


    Windows 7 is distributed by Digital River, but 8 and 8.1 are not. You can create a bootable USB drive or ISO file, but you need a working copy of Windows to run the WindowsSetup tool on.


  • #6
    Stuxnet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,739 ✭✭✭Stuxnet


    jpfahy wrote: »
    Thanks but the hard drive is physically dead, won't spin up. Kaput, Knackered, Kicked the bucket!!
    the motor is dead, (or something popped) the disk is fine :)
    open it up, you can fix it .. :)


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