Need #computer advice

[morgandawn]

 Edit

Thank you all for the help (especially James).

Took the computer to a local computer shop and they replaced the SSD drive. They did a clean install of Windows 11 (which I reverted back down to 10 for now) and I used my 1x a month image file (Macrium Reflect) of my C drive (which includes programs and settings) to restore the installed programs. I still have a lot of data to chase down, all of the external drives, camera and printer to physically connect. It will be at least another week.

I also need to change all the passwords on our banks accounts and credit cards as the computer was out of my hands.

In the process I  learned that several of my external drives where I store my video files need to be replaced so I will need to fund this and redo the weekly backups.

Finally, I'd like to find a way to get my monthly (soon to be weekly) image file (2.7 TB!!) stored automatically online. I am looking at Backblaze personal.

Need #computer advice. 

The #SSD drive which runs my Windows desktop died & I can no longer #boot (no bios found & it fails SMART). 

2nd #HDD hard drive passes #SMART.  Need to pay someone to install new SSD drive and Windows. (Tech claims that) OEM Windows license means $ for another license. 

I have a #MacriumReflect image of all the partitions, but it is an image, not a clone. I don't think I can reinstall Windows that way. Would also like to recover any SSD data not backed up to the image which is 1 month old

Above all, I want nothing to impact the 2nd HDD drive which is where the bulk of my data is stored. I have these  files backed up through Thursday. Really really don't want to have to reinstall apps, browser extensions  but seems inevitable

Question: What do I need to tell the computer tech specifically to do, and to avoid doing

Comments

[fahrbotdrusilla]

I know some laptops have the windows key tied to the motherboard/mainboard bios is it a commercially produced computer, a Lenovo or HP or something might have the key in the bios. Possibly that could save some money, anyway.

[morgandawn]

I saw that as a possibility, that the license is tied to the motherboard. The BIOS was stored on the SSD drive that is dead, so.....

This is a desktop not a laptop, And what's incredibly frustrating is I always print out the licenses when I get a new computer and I can't find out where the file went. I even logged into Microsoft thinking that maybe I registered and can't find it there. I don't use Microsoft accounts much

[zz9pzza]

Just wanted to say that the BIOS is stored on an eprom on the motherboard.

https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-a-bios-chip.htm

Why do you think that you don't have a bios ?

[morgandawn]

This is what was confusing me when I was talking with the technician. I always thought the bios was installed on the motherboard. When you install a new version of Windows onto a new hard drive that is connected to the old motherboard it should read the license from the bios

Error message was
"Hard disk - 3FO, boot device not found, please install an operating system on your hard disk"

Ran the SMART diagnostic on the SSD drive (which is the boot drive) and it indicated failure

Based on the tech's responses (You will need to buy a new license), I'm not sure that I want them to install the software. My concern is that the new installation might overwrite the separate HDD drive.* I'm tempted to simply ask them to install the SSD drive and I try the installation myself, except of course I can't get Windows 10 Pro anymore. And Windows 10 Pro is required for some of my legacy software.

*I am assuming the HDD drive is still good as it passed both the smart and extended tests

[zz9pzza]

The license key is stored on the disk that the os is installed on.

( Or maybe I am talking rubbish https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-find-windows-10-oem-product-key-command/ ).

A simple way to ensure that the hard disk is not touched during an install is to disconnect the power ( and data if parinoid ) before doing the install.

Windows 10 pro licenses are still available if you need them.

[morgandawn]

Operating system/windows was installed on the SDD drive that failed. since the computer cannot be booted because the SSD failed, no commands can be run to locate the key.

Looks like I can no longer purchase Windows Pro licenses online from Microsoft, I have to find a a 3rd party vendor https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/23/23567281/microsoft-windows-10-download-license-sales-ending

How can I help?

[flamingoslim]

While I can't provide any computer advice, please let me know if there is any other way I can offer support.

Re: How can I help?

[morgandawn]

Thank you, I'll let you know if I need anything. Right now I'm trying to deal with the fact that my back went out as I was trying to disconnect all the external hard drives. We are currently backing up data which will take another 3 days, then the computer goes into the repair shop to see if a new hard drive will get it up and running again. I would purchase a new computer, but the setup I use is no longer commercially available