Can I replace internal hard drive using only my system recovery disc?

Hello Everyone and thank you so much for your help!
I have a Vista Desktop and have determined that I need to replace the hard drive.
I am hoping that I can set the jumper pin on the new hard drive to primary, remove the old drive, install the new drive and turn on the computer with the System Recovery (SR) Disc in my DVD drive, boot off of the SR Disc, and run the SR. Will this work or am I just dreaming?
On thing that might cause issues is that the original hard drive is 640GB, and it is no longer available, so the new one I have is 500GB..Everything else about the 2 drives is the same. Old drive: WD6400AAKS, New Drive: WD5000AAKS.
Thank you extra much for any advise you can provide!
Cindy
P.S.. In case it would be helpful to know why I think I need to replace the hard drive...in the mornings when I go to turn the computer on, the hard drive activity light never flashes even a single time and the computer doesn't boot. Through trial and error I have figured out that by doing this:
1) removing power from the computer
2) disconnect then reconnect both connectors to the hard drive
3) reconnect power to the computer
4) depress the computer On button
that the computer will boot and all is good for the day. However, I turn off the computer at night and the next morning have to follow the above procedure. Only removing power from the computer for 30+ minutes does not work, it seems to be necessary to disconnect the hard drive connectors.
This all started at the same time I got a virus on the computer that I was supposedly able to remove.
I have done the following to try to resolve the problem with no success:
1) Ran the diagnostics and passed all Tests, tests say hard drive is okay. (day 1)
3) Cleared the CMOS by removing the battery on mother board (day 1)
2) Did a System Recovery (day 2)
3) Ran Boot.exe /FixMbr (day 3)
4) Ran Boot.exe /FixBoot (day 4)
5) Ran Boot.exe/rebuild bcd (day 5)
I am thinking I must also have a virus on the boot sector that did not get written over when I did the System Recover...but I am a novice computer geek, so I know I could have missed something. :-)

Its easy Pal! You check your HDD first but not in the way you did. Just follow the steps with your old HDD.
1. Try a clean install(delete the partitions while installing OS) of other OS like linux or XP or Windows 7.
2. If it works properly the your HDD is OK.
3. Then work for some days with the OS installed to check the condition of HDD.
4. If any problem happens then you need to buy a new one or if its recently bought, go for RMA.
5. If there is no problem, then do a clean install(delete the partitions while installing OS) with your Vista Recovery.
6. Use a Better Security with MSE/Avira/Trand Micro
For Replacing with a different HDD, you must consult nearest HP Service Point for the change in your hardware configuration, so that they will register with Microsoft with the new HDD.
Note: Give the old and new HDD to HP Service Point employee.
** If your problem is solved then Mark this as Answer! **
** Please give Kudos If you want to Thank Me! **

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