Help fixing laptop

[xXnickXx]

Hello internet. I am trying to fix up a broken 17" toshiba satellite, any help would be much appreciated. The laptop was dropped and the HD broke. I ordered a new HD and as far as I understand a new operating system must be installed. I would like to test it with linux to make sure its fine before I purchase windows 10. Is this possible?

Thank-you

 

[johnb35]

You can actually download the Windows 10 ISO and install it to test.

Use the media creation tool here.

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209

Download the ISO file, write the image to DVD and install without entering a key.

 

[beers]

Yep, the above would be easiest. When you install there is even a "I don't have a key" button. Without signing in or providing a key you effectively get a 30 day period to use the OS.

This is also the easiest approach since once you get a key, you can simply enter it and keep on trucking with your existing installation.

 

[xXnickXx]

Great, would I be able to use a usb or external HD instead of a DVD?

 

[beers]

The media creation tool gives you a USB option and will automatically write to the drive and make it bootable.

 

[xXnickXx]

Thank-you very much. The computer works great. I was really over-complicating things trying to use linux haha

 

[beers]

Thank-you very much. The computer works great. I was really over-complicating things trying to use linux haha

It's a pretty solid platform but definitely has a learning curve to it