even if its just a stopgap measure I will have best Buy install a new harddrive and I will put Ubuntu on it. At least I will be able to get online and stuff.
I ran a laptop with no HD at all, for a few weeks. Booted off the CD, saved work to a flash drive. A bit slow booting up and starting programs, but hey, it kept me online!
Don't go to Best Buy!!!
They suck!
The Geek Squad are a bunch of a$$wipes and don't know $hit! In all likelyhood they won't do the work there and will send it out to Toshiba. They also overcharge up the Wazzoo!
Find yourself a local computer guy who has a hole in the wall storefront. They usually bend over backwards in terms of sales and service.