Hard disk error- repair or replace help please!

closed

if it really is a hd hardware fail - (do the dell diagnostic), ask dell for a new hard disk to be sent in the post for free, after reading up on soga

CoolHotCold

While this isn't the consumer advice board which is what I usually stick too, I'll expand the SoGA a little.


The SoGA states that outside of 6 months the consumer is responsible for proving that the fault is inherent and has been there since purchase (It doesn't have to be the same fault that was there since purchase, it can develop over time or be caused by another part of the item)

Anyway, what this boils down to is usually you have to get a engineers report stating that it is a inherent fault for which dell will reimburse you and provide a resolution (which can be a repair, exchange or refund/partial refund).


I can categorically state that no engineer would be prepared to write a report stating a hard drive fault of bad clusters or sectors on a machine is a inherent fault. Unless the HDD is one that has been recalled or has FW issues.

Just down to the nature of HDD's and how easy it is to bump, knock, damage the hdd through very little movement and that it is neigh impossible to distinguish wear and tear with inherent fault.



You can always ask Dell, but if they state that they need a engineers report you would be better off replacing the HDD.

*manda*

I have backed up to the HDD which came this afternoon

I just did the disk check- which took about 2 hours, and when I came back to the PC it had the black screen message again saying something about exceeded parameters- back up now to avoid potential loss.

It then brought up another black screen with 4 lines of data- the last saying "the volume is clean".

Beyond this- it still brings up a big red X and tells me to back up now.

What do I do now?

-TangleFoot-

*manda* wrote: »

What do I do now?

Procure a replacement.

*manda*

It's screwed then I take it?

-TangleFoot-

The parameters being measured are likely to be these. That any have been exceeded at all is usually a bad sign.

Did it specify which ones?

*manda*

I'm pretty sure it didn't, I think it said one or more but was non specific. I guess I could restart it to find out?

-TangleFoot-

*manda* wrote: »

I guess I could restart it to find out?

Better to install something that tells you immediately. Try HD Tune.

*manda*

Sorry I'm useless at screen shots- but the reallocated sector count is red, and says failed. Eveything else says ok but spin retry count is yellow, as is B8 (unknown attribute). Health status "failed"

-TangleFoot-

*manda* wrote: »

reallocated sector count is red

It's definitely well on the way to becoming an ex-HDD then.