Dell N5050 needs new HDD, windows install?

idamaster · Aug 10, 2015

Hello,

I have a Dell N5050 laptop that I only use to browse the web. I have been getting some diagnostics saying that the HDD has some issues. The laptop got slow randomly; Ive had it for ~3 years and never had any issues with it being slow. I restored the OS (Clean restore/install of Win. 7) to see if it would fix the issue and it still seems to be slow.

Anyway, I have two questions. Which Hard drives are compatable? Can I make restore disks, install the HDD and then use the disks to install windows on the new hard drive? Or, how would I install windows on the new disk?

I read an article stating that you can pull the product key via a key finder, using an ISO version of windows 7 and then reusing the same product key without issue. Does that work?
I dont need to transfer any data, just want to install windows without having to buy an OEM disk.

Thanks

USAFRet · Aug 10, 2015

If this is still the original drive and OS installation, you can probably make your own factory reset disk(s).

For the replacement drive? Probably any 2.5" SATA drive would work.

idamaster · Aug 10, 2015

I wanted to replace the HDD and install windows on the new disk.

USAFRet · Aug 10, 2015

idamaster :

Right. If the Recovery partition from Dell still exists, you can create your own DVD's
Swap out the drives, and boot from those DVD's you created. Poof...OS on the new drive.

idamaster · Aug 10, 2015

Thank you, Ill look into it soon.

idamaster · Aug 13, 2015

Update: I bought a 16 gig USB drive and used the "Backup and restore (windows 7)" page in the windows 10 system to back up my data onto the drive. The "create a system image" and "create a system repair disk" will not allow the data to be put on the drive and both require disks.

Will the backup that windows installed onto the USB drive suffice for installing windows on the new drive, or must I use the system image or repair disk options instead?

idamaster · Aug 13, 2015

Sorry for all of the questions, just dont want to have any issues. I may just create a windows install .iso on the drive from Microsoft and use the ky from Magical Jelly Bean. That seems to be a popular option

USAFRet · Aug 13, 2015

idamaster :

Yes, that is the best option.

idamaster · Aug 14, 2015

Supposedly Seagate DOS fixed the issue, ill replace the drive if the issue returns. Thank you for your help.

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