Hi and thanks for reading,

My Precision M70 laptop recently wrecked its hard drive when it overheated.  Got a BSOD with a stop error code and after that it won't boot up Windows but just keeps returning to the BSOD.

I searched the net and found a couple of possible fixes such as running CHKDSK from a bootable CD etc, but to no avail and I get the message in Dell's diagnostics that the DST test has failed and the 1000-0142 that various drive sectors cannot be read.  All indications are that the boot sector information has been corrupted.

So I am assuming the drive is scratched or completely wrecked.  The laptop was bought in 2002 so is now out of warranty, but still a significant spec machine that I want to keep it.

So first I would like to re-format the HDD to see if it is recoverable and then reinstall XP, or if the drive is broken, install a new, poss solid state drive and then reinstall XP.

However, first problem, I never got the Dell Windows discs when I bought it.  Does Dell still offer restore discs with the OS and drivers on for XP, and if so how do I get them as their own link to the form to fill in returns an error code? 

Second problem, The service tag no on the bottom of my laptop is now virtually unreadable, but the express service code can still be seen so any correspondence using the online "enter service tag" sites can be difficult.

Or would I be better buying a new drive and a new OS and sorting the whole thing out myself?

 

Thanks for any offers of insight or help with the above.

 

 

 

And