Hard disk error- repair or replace help please!

-TangleFoot-

Some useful tools:

• Double Driver - driver backup
• TeraCopy - better file copying
• Ultimate Boot CD - diagnostics

getmore4less

regarding the laptop......

I have insperon 1300, from March 2006 and it is still going,
battery died ages ago, just ignored it
Broke the power adaptor plug replaced it (<£20)
Dropped it and broke the power socket. (<£10) stript it down(easy) and soldered on on a new one(not that easy).

The CPU fan was blocked with dust which explains some issues I was having(it ran hot andd crashing sometimes.)

if you go to dell support there are guides on how to change and fix things your service tab gets you to he information.

If it is going slow there is a good make your pc go faster thread to clean up the software.

the laptop probably has loads of life left in it.

*manda*

Thanks- I hope so, I don't want to get rid of it I just haven't got around to properly sorting it out. I think it probably needs a damned good clean as it seems to get hot quickly, and I think the battery is going- both of which I'm sure are fixable. I'm just not too confident unplugging/unscrewing or generally fiddling with things. I will check out the site though once I get this hard drive problem sorted on my main computer. I have to say in principle I've been happy with the Dell laptop, it's my desktop equivalent that has been nothing but trouble!!

I'm still backing up- it seems to have stuck on75% and not budging. Looks like I'm awaiting Mr Postman tomorrow with my HDD before I can proceed! Thanks for the help so far, will return tomorrow once I know a little more

closed

which operating system is it, which software are you using to backup, and have you got or created the windows discs

there is a sticky thread above on how to revive the speed on your laptop

*manda*

Its windows 7 and yes I have the re-install disk that came with the computer. I'm just using the windows back up tool. It's still stuck on 75% so it looks like something has gone wrong with it. Just waiting on the HDD to arrive and I'll start again with a back up.

macman

Going back to our original post (repair or replace), you'd be crazy to bin an 18m old base unit because of hard drive failure (if that's what it is). Just replace the drive (10 mnute job) and reinstall the OS and applications.
All the drama can be avoided in future if you back up regularly. All hard drives die eventually, it's not if but when.

*manda*

Yeah i'm not going to bin it, hell no you don't spend £500 to just throw it away- it's just I don't know how to go about repairing or replacing and what option is needed in this case. I've actually never had hard drive problems before despite owning computers for 12 years, so it's all new to me.

It's not a drama- i'm only after advice before taking it to someone who rips me off when the job may be something I can tackle myself. As I have said, there is nothing in particular that I'm precious about on there, so if I can't back it up it's really not the end of the world, but if I can- then even better.

macman

No repair is required, you just buy a new hard drive and replace it. As long as you have the install/recovery disks, you can easily do it yourself.

robmar0se

Hi Manda..when you receive your external hdd today, just drag and drop your stuff onto it. then run the chkdsk c:/r on the system. There is a good 50:50 chance that it will fix the problem - at the end it will give you a report which if it shows bad sectors then I would replace the hdd. When you get to this point and you do need to replace it, then create a new post and folks will tell you the easiest & best way how to do it - as folks say it isn't difficult.

getmore4less

It's been a while(years) since I have had to do it (my home machines have been reliable)

With not totaly trashed discs, we used check for and map out bad sectors and the disc would more often than not be fine for ages.

Not even sure you can still do it or how easy or worth it given cost of new one and the effort involved if it requires formatting.

I have a few spare machines might have a play and read up.