Needs new hard drive. Which hard drives are compatable and can I install a new hard drive and then simply insert the recovery disc to install the original programs and go from there with the upgrades etc...???

The procedure to restore from recovery disk will vary according to which computer you have. Usually you insert the recovery disc in CD / DVD drive after selecting boot sequence 1 from CD/DVD in Bios. You then push the power on button. Once windows boots from recovery CD it will continue with building up the new hard drive.

You probably need to give more details. If it's a replacement drive, did you reinstall Windows from a CD? Did you copy from the original hd? It's simple enough to remove the two cables from the original drive, physically remove and replace the drive, and hook up the new drive. But then you'd need to boot to a Windows CD in the CD/DVD player to format and install Windows, if that's what you're attempting to do.

There's possibly a recovery partition on the old drive )or a recovery CD). If so, you'd connect the new drive to a second power cable, and data cable (which might not be included in the tower) :

(from http://support.gateway.com/s/Manuals/Desktops/8510406.pdf)

To restore system software from the Recovery discs:
1 Insert the Recovery disc #1 into the CD or DVD drive.
2 Restart the computer, then press and hold
R when prompted to display the restore process options. The
Options menu appears.
3 Select a restore process option:
- Press R to boot from the hard drive recovery partition
or CD. If no recovery partition is found, go to Step 4.
- Press F to format the hard drive and perform a full system
recovery, then go to Step 5.
4 Click a system restore option. For more information, see
"Restoration options" on page 5.
- Non-Destructive System Restore (Recommended)
- Full System Restore (Destructive)
- Full System Restore (with Backup) (Advanced Option)
5 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system
software restoration process.

This is from the HP site:

HP recovery discs can be used to return a computer's software configuration to its original condition. HP provides a recovery solution on the hard drive, but it is still a good idea to keep recovery discs stored in a safe place in the event of a hard drive failure. Use the sections in this document to obtain a recovery solution that works best for you.NOTE:HP computers designed for commercial use, such as Workstations or Pro series, use "Operating System" or "HP Restore Plus" DVDs. To order these types of discs, go to the HP Replacement Part Store . Recovering your computer without recovery discsYou may not need recovery discs to recover the software on your computer. HP provides a recovery solution on a separate area of the hard drive. If the hard drive is still functional, you can still perform an HP system recovery from the hard drive as long as the recovery information has not been destroyed or corrupted.To do a software recovery from the hard drive, turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key until "Windows is loading files..." displays on the screen. If your computer originally came with Windows XP or earlier, press F10 to enter recovery instead of F11.

If you are simply trying to restore the computer to factory install, you may not need the recovery discs.
If you have suffered a hard drive failure, then there are a couple of options on their website, just ensure you have the exact model number of the computer.

No, you won't get the OS to automatically install on the new drive. The OS is not stored in the BIOS chip (or a similar permanent location inside the computer). You will need an OS install disc (not an upgrade disc). Windows Vista Home Premium or Basic was the original OS on most of the Acer Aspire 4530 series. Acer appears to have drivers for the system for XP through Windows 7 to get the hardware to work. You will need to have these most of these ready before you install your OS. Put them on a flash drive or optical disc using another computer.

This computer may work with Unix as well. However, driver issues may be a factor. You can try most versions of Unix from a CD (LiveCD) to test it out.

When you get a new hard drive, install it into the laptop. Then put the OS disk in the optical drive bay. Boot to the optical drive. Follow the directions for formatting the hard drive and installing the OS. (Of course you will need a drive that doesn't have a higher capacity than the BIOS supports.) The motherboard needs to recognize the drive.

If you find a member of a Windows User Group, they may have Windows install discs available. The license number on the label of your computer will probably work as your license key. (The key for a computer like this is locked to the CPU and motherboard; unless someone upgraded the OS to Windows 7 or downgraded to XP, this should be the key you need.) Use the information on the label to obtain the correct version of Vista (the Basic install disc may not work for installing Home Premium). You also need to match the 32-bit or 64-bit install disc (and the service pack you need).

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(An Acer recovery disc wouldn't help you. Most of those are completely locked to the original hardware (including hard drive) and look for the recovery partition that was on that hard drive.)

If there still need the data on there computer then you will need to try and recover it.
I would say just install a new copy of windows and start fresh.

Too late! Hard drive has crashed.
Fit a new hard drive and load your recovery disc or system disc.

Insert recovery disk and press any key when prompted on rebooting the fresh install/recovery will give option to format hard-drive

Removing the need to buy any additional software.

Actually, there are two good reasons not to swap that drive into the new laptop,

First, you never want to boot from or install software to a drive you're trying to recover as everything you do to/with the drive runs the risk of causing further damage.

Second even if it weren't for the damage, you simply aren't likely to have the right drivers unless both laptops are the exact same model.

My suggestion is just get the new laptop you want, then attach the damaged drive with the enclosure to the new laptop then run your recovery software. If that doesn't work, you will likely need the help of a Pro.

Try Armor-IT Data Recovery, they are listed in the FixYa database and service clients from all over North and South America.


Hope this helps FixYa,

Chris

The majority of these PCs have a recovery partition on the internal hard drive, here is the instructions for using it.
Recovering information using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) can perform a recovery from either an optional external hard
drive or from recovery discs.
CAUTION: Using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) will completely erase hard drive contents
and reformat the hard drive. All files you have created and any software installed on the computer will
be permanently removed. When reformatting is complete, the recovery process will restore the operating
system, as well as the drivers, software, and utilities from the backup used for recovery.
To initiate recovery using WinRE, follow these steps:
NOTE: This process will take several minutes.
1. If possible, back up all personal files.
2. Restart the computer, and then press f8 before the Windows operating system loads.
3. Select Repair your computer.
NOTE: The "Repair your computer" option is displayed only if the WinRE partition is intact. If the
option is not displayed, refer to “Recovering information using a Windows Vista operating system
DVD (purchased separately).”
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Click Next.
6. Select your user name, type your password (if applicable), and then click OK.
7. If you are using recovery discs, insert the last disc of the recovery disc backup set.
NOTE: Inserting the last disc of the backup set confirms the presence of a valid backup. If you
insert any other disc, the backup will not be recognized.
– or –
If you are using an optional external hard drive, connect it to the computer.
8. Click Windows Complete PC Restore.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions.

this is getting long , so ill will post more steps in comment.....

try to reboot when it asks for the recovery disc at the end, without the disc in the drive.

good luck
Terry