Isuue about HDD Replacement.

sZeniX · 15 Dec 2016

Hello, i'm new here.
So here goes my issue.

I have an HP 255 G3 Notebook PC with windows 10 installed and a 500 GB HDD, it works and everything (yet), but i have an internal error into the hdd and it doesn´t work properly, so i want to change the HDD with another one.

I really want to keep the 500 GB HDD (that came with the laptop) into a safe place, cause i have my reovery on it and the factory drivers.
What i want to do is, to put another HDD on the pc and install a new windows (7) from 0.

But after i do this can i use the original HDD again like swap the HDD one with windows 10 and another with windows 7 ?

Thank you in advance

spunk · 16 Dec 2016

i have an internal error into the hdd and it doesn´t work properly

Yes, you can replace the drive with a new one and install Windows 7 from the DVD or USB flash drive. But if the old HDD is giving errors, there is no reason to keep it. As it is not going to work properly and Recovery will probably be corrupted. You can download the Factory Drivers, if you need them from the HP Web site.
You can copy personal user files off of it to your new HDD if you like.

NavyLCDR · 16 Dec 2016

Judging from the underside view of the notebook - I think swapping hard drives more than once might be more of an effort than you anticipate:

You have to take off the screws on the back - and don't forget to pry off the rubber feet to get to the screws hidden underneath them, then you have to flip the notebook over and the top bezel actually comes off - not the bottom. Then after you remove the keyboard you can get to the components like RAM and hard drive.

I've done a RAM, HDD to SSD, and WiFi network card upgrade on my Asus laptop that comes apart the same way and it's something you only want to do once - and pray to whatever God you believe in the whole time.

HP 255 G3 Laptop Disassembly / RAM / SSD Upgrade - YouTube