My laptops hard drive has popped it cloggs
Its a 2 year old sony vaio is there a download facility from sony to reinstall all the default software onto the new disk through a 3rd party computer.

James

has it stopped completely or is it just clicking? does it spin perfectly but give you error messages on start?

if the drive still spins but clicks you can recover some of it. if it's just the directory thats screwed you can recover most of it.

when you say install the default software, do you mean the OS as in xp/vista?

There are a couple of things you can attempt to recover from a faulty harddrive...if its the bearings going.

Leave the hardisk (laptop) in the fridge overnight. This will cool the compenants and hopefully give you 10-15minutes use before it warms up and starts sticking.

Otherwise gentle but firm taps (light knocks) from a rubber mallet can loose sticking drives and again give you a few minutes use.

Use the time to download the data/software you need before replacing teh drive.

Put your Laptop Model's details in there for the sony support
http://www.vaio-link.com/downloads/prei ... en_gb_cons

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Don't buy a dwarf with learning difficulties,
It's not big and it's not clever.

The drive is completely sh@gged I have a back up of the important stuff but the recovery disk has done a runner and of course you dont get windows disk and drivers anymore. The cost of a new drive and a copy of Vista or XP if I can get it makes repair nearly as much as a curries special.

Sparky, you should have an Install key code on a label on the base of the laptop. You should only need to find the media, which could be purchased from an Ebay seller or a local PC shop (make sure you choose OEM media)

Then all you need is a copy of the network or modem (depending how you connect to broadband) card drivers for your laptop (as you're online now, download those to a USB or CD)

When you've installed Windows, install the card drivers then you should be able to download the rest of the software direct to the laptop.

HardDrisks aren't that expensive just check you get the right type, sata/ide
http://computers.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/ ... 913.c0.m24

Fitting could be tricky but just get a set of matchmakers screwdrivers for dismantling the case.

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Don't buy a dwarf with learning difficulties,
It's not big and it's not clever.

If you have to cd key on the label stuck somewhere on the laptop then all you need is a copy of xp/vista on cd.

You can just get copy from a friend or someone if need be, there's no law against copying an windows cd.

the installation discs are worthless, its the keys that microsoft worry about.

thats why they dont bother wasting time copy protecting the cds but concern themselves with the keys

Most hard drives have a 3 year manufacturers warranty. You have to go to their website and enter the serial number off the drive then they will authorise a return (by post at your expense). They will then repair or replace. Does not get your data back though. Used this service many times when I ran a computer business. It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to get your replacement.

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Mike

Seagate was 5, now between 1 and 3 years
Samsung is either 1 or 3 years.
etc

Check the name on top of the drive, go to the manufacturer site, and request a replacement. Some come and collect, others ask for it to be sent in.

My pref is for Seagate drives and Hitachis, Not so keen on Fujitsus...OEM junk, loud and slow. Western Digitals can be loud and they are obsessed with this eco malarkey. Maxtor are rebadged budget seagates.

email me your address and will post a copy of the windows xp or vista and a recovery software for fat32 and ntfs if you still need it

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Thanks For Yor Time

Time Lord