Laptop won't run correctly with new HDD

I've a Samsung laptop and the HDD is playing up. As a result, we've bought a new HDD.

I used Clonezilla to copy everything across, but now Windows Update won't work, along with the touchpad and wireless controller.

I've spoken with Samsung about this and they say it's because the drive has been replaced and won't work!?

Seriously? Once outside of warranty and the HDD packs up, nothing can be done?

Have you been into device manager in Windows and checked all the drivers are OK?

Try d/c laptop battery and plugging back in.

In reply to a post by Pipexer:

Have you been into device manager in Windows and checked all the drivers are OK?

I've been into device manager and the drivers are missing. But when I install them from the recovery, which has worked in the past, it claims they need to be digitally signed!?

Why would a restore that previously worked, now ask for them to be signed?

When checking for updated drivers, it say's it's identified that it's already running the latest drivers?

In reply to a post by Pipexer:

Try d/c laptop battery and plugging back in.

That still didn't work.

What version of Windows is it?

Sounds like something has gone screwy here..... Try disabling driver signature in system properties, but this depends on the OS you are running.

Sounds like your Windows installation is corrupted. Cloning a defective drive often results in that happening.

Do a fresh installation if you have a suitable Windows disc to hand, if not I'd recommend taking the machine to a PC repair shop and have them do it.

In reply to a post by Pipexer:

What version of Windows is it?

Sounds like something has gone screwy here..... Try disabling driver signature in system properties, but this depends on the OS you are running.

I'm running Windows 7.

I guess that won't help with Windows Update though.

In reply to a post by DrBC:

Sounds like your Windows installation is corrupted. Cloning a defective drive often results in that happening.

Do a fresh installation if you have a suitable Windows disc to hand, if not I'd recommend taking the machine to a PC repair shop and have them do it.

I have a Windows 7 CD which I bought to upgrade my other PC, can I use that with the key on the lappy?

The honest answer is it depends. Sometimes you can get away with it. Sometimes you can't, I would give it a go... You can always go back to this possibly corrupt image should that not work and try and rectify it.

I do think the fresh installation is the best idea though as per DrBC

can you find a driver package on the Samsung web site for each of the things that are missing, that's what I usually do - they're often more up to date than stuff on the DVD if indeed there was one.

In reply to a post by yarwell:

can you find a driver package on the Samsung web site for each of the things that are missing, that's what I usually do - they're often more up to date than stuff on the DVD if indeed there was one.

I tried the updates on the recovery partition first, then tried the updated drivers direct from the Samsung site for the model, but they still won't work.

The drivers install OK but still appear with a yellow warning in Device Manager ? or they don't install ?

If you F8 as you boot there's an option to not enforce driver digital signing which might help.

In reply to a post by yarwell:

The drivers install OK but still appear with a yellow warning in Device Manager ? or they don't install ?

They appear to install fine, but then the yellow warning remains.

In reply to a post by yarwell:

If you F8 as you boot there's an option to not enforce driver digital signing which might help.

Ah ha, this has worked a treat. Will this keep the signing disabled?

Any ideas how I can get Windows Update to work again?

If I click on 'Check for updates', I get 'Windows Update cannot current check for updates because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer'.

I've done that and also checked the service and it's running as it should be.

Any thoughts?

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_update/ is worth a try

I believe the Driver Enforcement option is until a reboot - give it a try and see. There are ways to make it a permanent status if required. http://sabrent.com/support/knowledgebase.php?article=14

Edited by yarwell (Tue 09-Apr-13 10:12:05)

In reply to a post by yarwell:

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_update/ is worth a try

Unfortunately, it didn't work due to an error preventing Windows Update from working correctly, followed by an unexpected error.

I've a feeling I might be left with having to purchase a new OS...?

In reply to a post by yarwell:

I believe the Driver Enforcement option is until a reboot - give it a try and see. There are ways to make it a permanent status if required. http://sabrent.com/support/knowledgebase.php?article=14

Great, useful to know.

Does your laptop come with a restore disc? Most laptops do.

Have you tried scannow?

In reply to a post by DavidFinbarr:

Have you tried scannow?

Interesting that site says: "Note: In some situations, especially in Windows XP and Windows 2000, you may also need access to your original Windows installation CD or DVD."

Hope the OP doesn't need an installation disk with his OS - certainly I've needed a XP disk on several occasions when running scannow on XP machines However if corrupt OS files are discovered it is sometimes possible to delete them and copy clean files into the same folder from another machine...

Another alternative would be to install Ubuntu on the laptop if all the required programs that the OP uses are compatible rather than buy a Windows OS if that became necessary?

I never needed it (Win 8). I couldn't get into "settings" thankfully scannow fixed the issue.

In reply to a post by DavidFinbarr:

I never needed it (Win 8). I couldn't get into "settings" thankfully scannow fixed the issue.

This could also be a sign something is wrong with the hardware, so don't go and purchase a new Windows just yet.

Get a copy of Windows 7 and even if you don't have a license you get 30 days or whatever to play with it - do this first and see whether the issue gets fixed before buying something for the laptop.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058 is another one, there are many.

If the automated tools don't run look down the page for the "fix it myself" option

I've managed to get it up and running with an image of Windows it was running and used the license key from the PC.

It's actually nicer, as it's not got all the manufacturer installed rubbish with it and free trials, so it's now nice and clean!

Thanks for all the help!

Usually, all that's needed is a Win7 OEM DVD, the key from the COA sticker and a copy of DriverPack Solution.

Is the drivers that program downloads safe? I tried it once (from your suggestion) and the installers were a bit odd, shall we say. I continued nevertheless because I know you're hardcore on security - but wondered if you could shed any more light on the program.

I've rigorously scanned every release with multiple tools and not found a jot out of place so far. However, as always, caution is advised. Most drivers will already be included on the DVD so no need for downloads in most cases.

As you say, the interface is a little weird but choose "Expert Mode" etc from the interface and when choosing to install your drivers, ensure that you choose "Drivers Only" as in the pic here.
You can also choose to install one driver at a time by clicking the orange "sun" icon for each driver needed.

Edited by Deadbeat (Mon 15-Apr-13 19:12:57)