Hard drive failure

Toby43 · 01 Apr 2018

The hard drive in my ASUS laptop has failed - completely and permanently. Fortunately this laptop has only been used for a daily mobile use and all important data is been backed up.
I also used 'ProduKey' long ago to record the keys on this and my other units.
ASUS support is proving difficult -anything more than 6 months old seems to be ignored, but what I want to know is this.
It's been years since I installed any version of windows - it was windows 7 if I recall.
I know there have been various 'updated versions' to Windows 10 over time.
the point is this.
I have a new replacement hard drive installed.
Can I now download the latest Windows 10 64 bit from Microsoft and use my product key?
Do I have to get any essential driver from ASUS (as I say, it's proved difficult even to get its site to recognise this particular laptop and I have no idea from the list of downloads what is actually required for this particular model. I remember when putting a desktop together some time ago, there was an absolute necessity to obtain motherboard drivers for the chipset, NIC and USB3. Does Windows update now handle these or must I persevere with ASUS support?

Caledon Ken · 01 Apr 2018

Hi toby43

Here is the clean install tutorial. You do not need to enter any product key for Windows, the MS servers should automatically activate.

Clean Install Windows 10

Asus site is always busy and slow. I had an issue the other day using the new Firefox which I reported. Try Edge or Chrome.

Windows 10 should load most drivers automatically. Once you are up right click Start, click Device manager and look for any yellow exclamation marks.

These are devices that windows can't id on its own. Right click device, click properties, then "Details" tab. In the Property drop down set it to hardware id's. Copy and paste first line into google to see what device is. Go to Asus and get driver. Install.

Once you have machine fully operational use a product like Macrium reflect to take an Image. Then if you run into difficulties you can just restore rather than a complete re-install. It is free, reliable and recommended. You can even take periodic backups to help you deal with problematic installs of programs and or updates.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

Ken

CmmTch · 01 Apr 2018

If you were running W10 before, and it was activated, that license should be on the MS server. Install the version that was on the laptop in question, and during the install it should activate itself. A hard drive replacement doesn't usually create activation issues.

Possibly there could be driver issues, those basic drivers from the install and update may be enough to get the OS installed, and get your laptop up. Those could be sufficient for what you need too.

Good luck :)

Bree · 01 Apr 2018

Toby43 said:

I have a new replacement hard drive installed.
Can I now download the latest Windows 10 64 bit from Microsoft and use my product key?

Was this Asus running an activated copy of Windows 10 before the drive died? If so, there is a digital licence stored on Microsoft's activation servers tied to the hardware ID of this machine (an ID that by design does NOT include the hard drive).

You can replace the drive and do a clean install of the latest Windows 10 from Microsoft. If asked for a key click 'I don't have one'. You must install the same edition as before, the licence is only valid for one edition, Home or Pro. It will activate automatically as soon as it contacts the activation servers.

On a machine built for Windows 8 or 10 you probably won't even be asked for a key or which edition to install. There's a key embedded in the firmware that Windows Setup can read and will install the appropriate edition.

Toby43 · 05 Apr 2018

Thank you all for your very helpful advice. Everything went like clockwork once I'd managed to change the boot order in BIOS - never seen anything like the display on this ASUS laptop, definitely NOT user friendly, yet it's no more than 3 years old. It's a pretty drastic way to go but I now have a completely bloat free laptop, ready to go hopefully for another 3 years. I was surprised at just how long the install took, with several restarts/configuration settings taking place. Thanks again for the advice.

Bree · 05 Apr 2018

Don't forget to look into making system images with something like Macrium Reflect (free) as Ken suggested earlier. Next time a drive fails you'd just need to do a quick restore.

Caledon Ken · 05 Apr 2018

Excellent news. Glad everything came together.

and if you use Macrium don't forget to make their boot media.