Is it very expensive to have a new hard drive installed?

Yes, you could do that if you take the HD out if the laptop and install in the Desktop temporarily.

I wonder if the bad HD is still plugged in. If so, that could be your problem; make sure it's not connected and seen before the new HD.

I would assume that your diagnostics tell you the answer already, anyway a new hard drive is pretty cheap today, prices are falling rapidly due to the cheaper cost of Solid State Drives.
SOrry for such an obvious answer but personally I would attempt to back up whatever you need from it (either using a caddy and removing the drive from the laptop) and replace that drive. You can still use your Windows product key after doing a fresh install of Windows.

Hello fradymg,
If you are speaking about a hard disk drive built within the last 20 years, then the hard drive is not meant to be opened.
(Way back in 1975 I worked on hard disk drives that could be repaired or adjusted by a qualified technician).
I have three suggestions:
(1) I presume the drive is already out of the computer.

• Buy a new hard disk from a local computer shop.
• Install the new one.
• Connect the data cable.
• Connect the power cable.
• Switch on the PC;
• Insert your Operating system CD and re-install the OP system.

(2) If the data on the drive is *very, very* important:
Take your drive to a good computer shop and they will attempt to recover the data.
Note: this is generally VERY expensive.
(3) Take your computer to the computer shop and have the technician install the new hard disk and also the operating system.
This option will give you a working computer in the shortest delay, at only medium cost.
Hope this helps.

I would buy the converter,only if you really need one,and install yourself.
It should be about half the price you quoted or less. Buy at auto parts store.
You can not not buy another car for the price of a new converter!!

Buy a new "empty" external disk-drive case for $30.

Pick one that has "data" and "power" connectors that are compatible with your current disk-drive.

Put the disk-drive into the new case. Done.

you can't use a restore disk made for a specific hard drive with a much larger hard drive. This information is checked by the restore cd. You would need to contact toshiba and get a regular windows install cd.

Your hard drive may need reseating.
If it still gives error hard disk not found then you have a faulty hard drive.
You need a new hard drive and then install Windows Vista

I'd reccomend backing up data and formatting your hard drive. Then install XP from disk and put data back on hard drive. You could use external hard drive or jumpdrive. It stands to reason that SATA works with XP, because the new computers I have seen have SATA and XP working conflict-free.

Right Click on My Computer & Click Manage, then click disk mamgment from the left panel. the HDD will show there, since it's a new HDD it must be on RAW state, format from the same console.

I suspect that the ribbon cable (seatbelt looking cable) in the computer has possibly come loose. Especially if both HDD's can't be seen.

Possible too that the CMOS has lost the specifications of the HDDs. Press F2 or DEL key while booting (depends on the CMOS/computer type).

Or, both hard drives have gone bad, which is unlikely that both at the same time went out.

Please rate FixYa! or clarify with more information or testing results.