Imminent hard drive failure

[vhh]

I am getting a message that my hard drive will fail. I cannot proceed to windows beyond that message. Proceeding would require pressing f1 but that function is performed via two keys on my keyboard - could that be part of the problem with moving on to windows? 

I take it that since the hdd is failing, i need to get a new one. I have a thinkpad edge 0301 15 inches. Can you point me to a site where I can read the specifications that I need to know about when buying a new hdd? 

I can't find the written documentation from my purchase, so there is no way of looking it up in my files. 

I need to know the size of the drive and the speed that it may work with (is it OK with 5200rpm or 72ooo rpm). There are probably more I need to know, so please enlighten me. 

KR

Vibeke

[ColonelONeill]

I'd take the drive out, put it in an enclosure, and try to salvage your data.

Any 2.5" 9mm drive should work.

[vhh]

I am sorry for the possibly silly questions, but the HDD I am looking at are all listed as size 2,5 inches * 1/8 or 1/6. Is that something I should consider?

The ones I find are 9,5 mm - will that do?

Thanks for your help