6 Posts
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793
January 17th, 2023 10:00
Replace Defective Hard Drive w/SSD and Windows Reinstall Procedure
Inspiron 7737
Hello. I apologize if this has been answered before but I can't find a clear explanation to help in my current situation. I offered to repair a coworkers laptop. The original hard drive is damaged and needs to be replaced. I want to replace it with a new SSD. The issue I'm trying to get a clear answer on is the OS is currently Windows 10 and it appears to have been upgraded from the original preinstalled OS of Windows 8. What is the procedure I must follow to get this laptop running again? I already searched for a recovery OS on Dell's website however none appears to exist. Customer chat support told me to get a new laptop. Is that correct? Is there no way to do this? I won't have him buy a hard drive if that can't be done. Thank you.
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filbert
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1.8K Posts
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January 17th, 2023 10:00
This is easily doable, if you're comfortable working inside a laptop. Be very careful, as this old laptop's plastic parts and connectors will now be more brittle and more easily broken.
As the drive is failing, do not use that computer. Remove the drive and connect to an external USB interface to recover what user files you can, unless you already have a good backup of those files.
Remove the HD and replace it with the SSD. While you're in there, it would be a good idea to clean the fan and heat fins, and replace the thermal compound. The thermal compound will have hardened so the laptop will not adequately cool itself, and dust will further reduce cooling ability.
Also, replace the CMOS battery.
Follow the disassembly and reassembly steps in Dell's Owner's Manual.
Look on YouTube for videos showing disassembly of your model. But, be cautious with them, as some use steps or methods that are not appropriate. Use the videos to add to your understanding of what to do, but follow the steps in Dell's manual.
Whenever touching components or working inside a computer, wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. It's a cheap and sensible precaution. Rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard.
Using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, create a bootable flash drive with Windows installer.
Disconnect all peripherals: printers; USB devices; media cards; USB hubs and extenders; etc.
Boot from the flash drive and install Windows.
Assuming that Windows 10 was properly activated on the computer, it will automatically activate again after booting from the SSD and connecting to the Internet.
ruckstande2112
6 Posts
0
January 17th, 2023 10:00
Really? That's it? That would be amazing! The system info menu should tell me if it's properly activated right?
ruckstande2112
6 Posts
0
January 17th, 2023 10:00
I had a linux disc I was able to boot into that was able to allow me to copy documents to a usb stick that would normally be locking up windows. For some reason linux was able to bypass the errors. Thank you.
filbert
6 Operator
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1.8K Posts
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January 17th, 2023 10:00
Yes. In Start menu search for Activation Settings. That screen will tell you.
But, unless you have a good backup of the user's files, do not do that. As the drive is failing, do not use that computer at all, or that risks further data loss. Remove the drive and connect to an external USB interface to recover what user files you can.