Need Help

[sundowner77]

I am having problems with my computer starting and shutting down. It is also moving very slow. A couple of friends suggested I may need a new hard drive. I know VERY LITTLE about computers so please be patient with me. A few questions:
Is there any way I can determine if the hard drive has already been replaced?
If I do replace the hard drive will I lose all of my data and programs?
If I replace the hard drive will I need "recovery windows cds"? ( don't know if I am calling it the right thing or not) What happens if I don't have them?
Is there any LEGAL way to move data and software from one hard drive to another or will I lose everything I have on the computer?
Thanks for your help

 

[richc46]

I am having problems with my computer starting and shutting down. It is also moving very slow. A couple of friends suggested I may need a new hard drive. I know VERY LITTLE about computers so please be patient with me. A few questions:
Is there any way I can determine if the hard drive has already been replaced?
If I do replace the hard drive will I lose all of my data and programs?
If I replace the hard drive will I need "recovery windows cds"? ( don't know if I am calling it the right thing or not) What happens if I don't have them?
Is there any LEGAL way to move data and software from one hard drive to another or will I lose everything I have on the computer?
Thanks for your help

Welcome
If you replace your hard drive you will have to back up all of your stuff, first. In addition you have to reinstall programs, such as Office or games.
If you replace your Hard Drive you need an install DVD. If you do not have one you can buy a windows 7 upgrade for about $150.00
You can move everything except programs with Widows Easy Transfer
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...14-2A73-4245-A63B-8E780D0430CB&displaylang=en

If you download Speccy, you can tell what hard drive you have. It cannot tell you what you had. You may be able to tell what you had by looking at your old invoices etc
http://www.piriform.com/speccy

You can test your hard drive
Test Hard Drive www.carrona.org/hddiag.html or this test http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

You can even make a limited test to determine the cause of the slowdown.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135