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Thread ID: 139646	2015-06-05 11:56:00	HP Pavilion 23 disc dieing	Danger (287)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1402051	2015-06-05 11:56:00	I've had an HP Pavilion 23 for about 18 months now and for the last 6 months (just out of warranty period) its been playing up, errors and trying to repair itself, often with can't find boot disc etc, making odd noises usually before it dies, sometimes I finally get it started again after an hour sometimes less, but yeah I guess the hard drive is dying. I don't dare turn it off these days. I was hoping it would last until Windows 10 came out but is it worth getting this one repaired? Can you recommend anyone to fix it for me? Or should I attempt it myself? I rely on it for my home based work. I'm in West Auckland (Royal Heights). Will I loose everything on it and will I have to buy a new copy of Windows Office Home and Student and Windows 8 etc? Used to be so easy with a disc supplied when you bought a computer and fixed my old XP machine myself over the years, everything seems too complicated now. Thanks for any advice, I'm going to be away for the weekend so sorry for any slow responses until I return next week.	Danger (287)
1402052	2015-06-05 17:34:00	www.howtogeek.com recover your keys the next time it boots. replace the HDD with an SSD install windows 8 upgrade to windows 10 ?????	Mirddes (10)
1402053	2015-06-05 21:59:00	You could try cloning the hard drive to a new one. I'm guessing you don't have discs for Win 8 or Office but they are both able to be reinstalled if you have the keys. No need to buy a new copy. Alternatively you can download the iso image of both and burn to DVD or flash drive and reinstall them. Do you have another computer you can use?	gary67 (56)
1402054	2015-06-06 00:07:00	You wont need to buy a new copy of W8, they can be downloaded. When running the Keyfinder -- This one will show your Windows and Office http://www.sterjosoft.com/ Your Office, can just be reinstalled, no worries. BUT you shouldn't need to locate the Keys, as Office will have come with a card with the key on it. As for installing windows, you wont actually need a Product key, ;) being HP and only 18 months old, the Product key should be embedded into the Motherboard, so all you do is put in a Windows DVD and it will automatically install. BUT THERES A GOTYA!!!! You HAVE to use the same version of windows, meaning if it came with Windows 8 then upgraded to 8.1 you HAVE to use a W8 DVD and upgrade again, If it came with 8.1 then use a 8.1 DVD, if you use the wrong version it will prompt for a Key. Any DVD will do as long as its the same version. Looks like the HP 23 is a all in one, so you need to treat it like a laptop, it will be a little more time consuming and more dismantling than a Standard Desktop box. What Gary suggested would be OK as long as the original drive is not to far gone or the bad sectors/failures are not stopping it. If it can clone the recovery partition at least you can usually just run that and it will reinstall. BUT HP's often have 6 or more partitions ( hidden). Word of WARNING, if its failing then DONT use it, as it WILL fail at the most inconvenient time and you risk losing everything on the drive. If you're not to happy in doing the job take it to someone who knows what they are doing. The more you play around with it the more chance you will lose the lot. If I were doing it, it would be done in this order -- Remove original HDD, install New one,reassemble the unit, reinstall Windows & all the drivers, put the original HDD in a portable caddy, copy your data off the most important data first to the new Install, then other data, then install Office and other programs you want.	wainuitech (129)
1402055	2015-06-07 20:52:00	Thanks guys, I will read this all a few times and have a good think about if I'm going to replace the HDD or try and get a new Windows 10 PC, computer started ok after the weekends trip away but I usually don't turn it off just in case. Probably will try and fix this one, backing up my important stuff daily just in case.	Danger (287)
1402056	2015-06-07 22:59:00	As for installing windows, you wont actually need a Product key, ;) being HP and only 18 months old, the Product key should be embedded into the Motherboard, so all you do is put in a Windows DVD and it will automatically install. BUT THERES A GOTYA!!!! You HAVE to use the same version of windows, meaning if it came with Windows 8 then upgraded to 8.1 you HAVE to use a W8 DVD and upgrade again, If it came with 8.1 then use a 8.1 DVD, if you use the wrong version it will prompt for a Key. Any DVD will do as long as its the same version. Just wondering, if it was originally Win8... If you use an app to extract the key from the bios/motherboard, can you use that key with a Win8.1 DVD ? or would it only work with Win8	1101 (13337)
1402057	2015-07-02 01:51:00	Where do I get a windows 8 dvd from or do I have to download and make my own? Download from where? Trying to hang in till the new PCs with win10 arrive but computer is useless now and using wifes laptop also win 8.	Danger (287)
1402058	2015-07-02 02:04:00	And what about all the drivers aghh! Not even sure its the hdd could it be motherboard? Might be easier to take it somewhere, who is good in west Auckland?	Danger (287)
1402059	2015-07-02 02:36:00	The drivers are likely the least of your worries. Windows is very good at finding them for you. At least ones that will get you going.	linw (53)
1402060	2015-07-02 03:31:00	18 months old and out of warranty? Might pay to check the warranty period for individual parts as well as for the machine as a whole, the hdd manufacturer might still cover it. Also if you are the kind of person who doesn't mind arguing with your supplier you could try the consumer guarantees act, one could argue that 18 months is not a reasonable life span for a new PC as long as it is a hardware issue.	dugimodo (138)
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