Hard drive on HP notebook PC failed. After replacement, can I upgrade OS and memory?

I have an HP Pavilion Entertainment Notebook PC, Model dv9617nr (HP pn GS730UA). An error message on boot-up says "Operating System not found" so my Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit (upgraded two years ago) will not load. I am assuming this means that my hard drive has failed. How can I verify this assumption? Again, assume I am correct, and I order the recommended replacement (HP pn 590736-001) from SpareParts Warehouse ($142.50 plus shipping). Are there instructions on the internet for doing this replacement? After I do this replacement, I thought I could install Windows 7 I already have and upgrade the memory to 4GB SODIMM from the 1GB SODIMM that was originally used. What problems would I have with Hardware Compatibility using Windows 7? If the memory module I use has the same specs as the HP recommended replacement (HP pn 598861-001), i.e. 800MHz, 200 pin, PC2-6400, SDRAM, but a larger 4GB memory capacity, would I have any compatibility problems using it? Please advise me on these issues. Thanks, Jeff
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Hi, Jeff:
Let me break down your question...
First, to confirm your HDD died, go into your BIOS menu. There should be a hard drive and memory diagnostics utility. Run the HDD diagnostics utility and see what it reports. More than likely the HDD has crashed and is no longer usable.
You can order a replacement drive or you can get any SATA II hard drive --either 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM.
You could go to 250 to 500 GB if you choose. Unfortunately right now, HDD prices are unreasonably high due to the flooding in Thailand where many HDD manufacturing plants are located. Some were damaged heavily, causing HDD prices to triple almost overnight.
This is a drive you can get that I think is better than what you have now: This one is 7,200 RPM. Faster but uses more battery power.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136279
You can get the 5400 rpm version too...similar. Not as good as the caviar black. This is more along the line of what you would get from HP.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136387
Read the reviews on both or you are free to get the one from HP.
There are instructions to install the hard drive and memory on your notebook's support and driver page. Click on Manuals on the right side of the page.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01278446&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en...
Then you want to look at the maintenance and service guide.
You can upgrade the memory to a maximum of 4 GB using 2 x 2GB of PC2-6400 memory. You can get it from HP or you can get it at the link below. This is the memory I use. As a matter of fact I just ordered this very same memory to install in my sister-in-law's dv6700.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148159
Now, you can install W7 just fine. I installed W7 Home Premium 64 bit on my dv6810us that has pretty much the same hardware as yours and 4 GB of memory (the same as I posted above).
Here is the catch though. It depends on what version of W7 you have. If you have a W7 upgrade version, you must install a qualifying operating system on the hard drive before you can upgrade it.
If you have a full version of Windows 7, then you can install it on a blank hard drive.
If you have the upgrade version, contact HP support and order a set of Vista recovery disks. Install Vista and then uprade to W7 if you have the upgrade version of W7.
You can use the vista drivers from your notebook's support page for any drivers you need that W7 didn't supply.
One thing...DO NOT flash (update) the BIOS when running Windows 7. You can only flash it using windows vista.
Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, please let us know.
Paul

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