Need help replacing my ASUS X550CA's HDD(and other stuff)

[Aria_Bashiri]

Hey guys, so my matress accidently fell on my laptop while I was vacuuming, the computer froze so I had restarted it(it wouldn't boot the OS, it kept booting in a Bios loop) so I'm pretty sure the OS was wiped, not sure if the HDD is dead though because I see the HDD is being detected in the bios menu. What worries me is that the SATA connectors might be damaged, which would be impossible for me to fix because I'm not good with computers, if the HDD reads though in the Bios....that should mean the SATA connectors are okay right? There aren't any other noticible problems with the laptop besides the fact that the OS will not boot, so does that mean I'm in the clear to buy a replacement HDD? Oh and one last thing, since the OS was wiped from my HDD, I also would need to reinstall the OS, my uncle told me that if I contact ASUS support and tell them that I need a copy of the OS, and give them my model's Serial number that they would give me a copy, is this true? I had Windows 8.1(64 bit) on my ASUS, and if I have to buy a copy of 8.1 would I have to buy the System Builder OEM(for PC's without an OS installed I read), or would I be okay with just 8.(64 bit). Sorry for the trouble, as I said before....Not the best with computers.

 

[hang-the-9]

Here is the thing, the OS would not get wiped from the hard drive by something falling on it. The files are not held in the drive with tape or glue that can get jarred loose if it's hit. If it's not booting that points to a hardware issue. First thing to try is to check the recovery partition see if that works. You may just have a corrupt file system which is why it won't boot to Windows, but the recovery partition may be OK.

If it does not work, contact ASUS and tell them the computer does not boot, they may have you try some things and then send you a replacement drive. I'd avoid saying a mattress fell on the system, although NOT saying it if they ask may be fraud, although if there is no sign of damage it may be tough to prove.

 

[Aria_Bashiri]

Well, I don't want to contact ASUS(Lost my receipt and my warranty doesn't cover accidental damage, plus it's $35 just to send it in.....So I'm out of luck there) but is is only the HDD that is the problem in this? I can't access the recovery partition either, it literally will only boot into bios. Also sadly my pc didn't come with a backup recovery disk that I can use to redownload the OS if I were to place another HDD in. Basically, my computer acts as if there's no OS on my HDD. What I really need to know is whether or not it's only the HDD at fault, if it's only the HDD that's the problem, I can easily replace the HDD for $45 and install Linux at least. However, if it's more than the HDD I''ll probably be giving up on this computer.

 

[hang-the-9]

Well, I don't want to contact ASUS(Lost my receipt and my warranty doesn't cover accidental damage, plus it's $35 just to send it in.....So I'm out of luck there) but is is only the HDD that is the problem in this? I can't access the recovery partition either, it literally will only boot into bios. Also sadly my pc didn't come with a backup recovery disk that I can use to redownload the OS if I were to place another HDD in. Basically, my computer acts as if there's no OS on my HDD. What I really need to know is whether or not it's only the HDD at fault, if it's only the HDD that's the problem, I can easily replace the HDD for $45 and install Linux at least. However, if it's more than the HDD I''ll probably be giving up on this computer.

The reciept may not be needed, they would go by the serial #, and you should have some proof of purchase unless you paid cash. Credit card statement, online record from a online store, etc...

Did you try to reseat the hard drive? Without trying another drive it would be tough to say where the issue is, could have been another connectore knocked loose. You can rule out a general system issue by trying to boot to a Linux Live CD, that can run without the hard drive, if that starts and works OK, you can go to checking another drive. If your system has a Windows license key, you can just download the OS and use the key to install it. I know you can get Windows 7 ISO files and I think Windows 8 is also available like that. I'd also try the hard drive as a secondary in a desktop system and see if it can be read. If that is fine, and you reseated the connection, it may be an internal issue with the drive connector.