Toshiba Hdd died out of warranty, need recovery disk

[Ignatious]

My Toshiba C55-b5200 laptops HDD died out of warranty and I do not have a recovery disk for it. I don't want to buy a whole new version of windows because money is so tight around the holidays.

Is there a system disk I can download for 8.1? I have a HDD with windows 7 on it but I don't think that would wind up working too well.

Is there an version of Linux that would work well for a novice Linux user to tide me over till I can swing the disk from Toshiba. It's like 40 bucks and that is a lot right now.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, @Ignatious!

I'd strongly recommend you contact the laptop manufacturer's official customer support if you had the OS pre-installed on it. Here's a thread you might find helpful regarding re-installing an OEM Windows version. If the OS was pre-installed on your laptop, it means that the product key is embedded in the BIOS firmware.

However, you will still need a new HDD in order to be able to use your laptop and install any of the operating systems (Windows or Linux).

Hope this helps you. Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[Ignatious]

Hey there, @Ignatious!

I'd strongly recommend you contact the laptop manufacturer's official customer support if you had the OS pre-installed on it. Here's a thread you might find helpful regarding re-installing an OEM Windows version. If the OS was pre-installed on your laptop, it means that the product key is embedded in the BIOS firmware.

However, you will still need a new HDD in order to be able to use your laptop and install any of the operating systems (Windows or Linux).

Hope this helps you. Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

OK, wait. I can use the key embedded in the bios firmware to install a vanilla windows I can get from microsoft? OK, That's nice. I can work with that. Now I just have to find that and I'll be golden.

 

[photonboy]

1) There's no version you can legally install for free.

Update: ignore that if the embedded key thing works out

2) $40 is for Windows from Toshiba?

3) Linux Mint is a good substitute. Not sure if you have an HDD yet, but you can put it on a USB stick using the tool RUFUS.

a) download 64-bit Cinnamon (put 0's for asked money)
https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

b) use RUFUS to put on USB (or DVD but that's slow, not writeable, and you may not even have a DVD drive)

c) stick in the laptop and turn on. Should work well enough for basic tasks.

 

[photonboy]

Other:
Even if you use the KEY it may still fail (even if it should be legal).

If so, there should be a link from the pop-up for support. Follow that, and it will scan your system and if it determines it should be legal it will Activate for you.

I had this issue before.

 

[SkyNetRising]

OK, wait. I can use the key embedded in the bios firmware to install a vanilla windows I can get from microsoft?

Yes, of course.
Windows 8.1 was it? (on your PC before)
Download it here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8
(Choose the right version - pro or non pro. Wrong one will not activate)

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Or another option is to order a set of Factory Recovery Discs for your model direct from Toshiba like I did 4 years ago. Cost me around £12 back then.

Installing from those discs does not require you to enter a Windows Product Key, and all the device manufacturer's drivers are included in the install process (unlike a "vanilla" Windows install).

For European models: http://www.toshiba.eu/generic/services_recovery_media_eu/

For American models: https://support.toshiba.com/repair (scroll down to Get Recovery Media)

 

[Ignatious]

Thanks everyone!

I put in the new drive, dl'd a copy of 8.1 from microsoft and the bios key worked. Everything is fine now. I just had to put some drivers in by hand.