Hard disk error- repair or replace help please!

*manda*

Thanks- so presuming I plug in new hard drive, it should be ready to go and I can access "start"? or do I need to do something for it to let me access "start" i.e do they need formatting or anything?

-TangleFoot-

I think you'll need to install Windows first. It'll format the disk for you at the same time.

robmar0se

Once you have connected the new hdd, when you power on, you will need to insert the windows 7 dvd, (the system image possibly if bootable?). If you're not quick enough it will say I can't find a system, just reboot, and if it is the right disk, it will commence the Windows 7 install, prompting you for all the usual questions language, region, 25 digit Microsft license code, user name etc, etc.

If the system image works, it should install all the drivers too, you can check this in the control panel\device manager.

If the system image doesn't boot, and you do not have a win 7 OS disk, then the OS may be downloaded; you would need to create a disk before attemting to install - from here http://www.mydigitallife.info/windows-7-iso-x86-and-x64-official-direct-download-links-ultimate-professional-and-home-premium/

Good luck:)

macman

A bigger capacity drive will not be any quicker. Unless you have huge amounts of data to store, 1TB should be adequate.
A new drive can have up to 3 years warranty anyway.

closed

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx (if the W7 backup is failing, this has more functionality, ie backup individual partitions)

If it really is faulty, a phone call to Dell knowing your legal rights to a machine that lasts a reasonable time, will probably produce a free replacement hard disk, so why buy a new one?

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/consumer-rights-refunds-exchange

-TangleFoot-

macman wrote: »

A bigger capacity drive will not be any quicker.

Higher storage density? Multiple platters and thus heads? NCQ? Admittedly that last one won't make any noticeable difference outside a server farm but the potential is certainly there.

macman

Would the average home home really notice the difference?

-TangleFoot-

That would depend largely on the magnitude of the upgrade.

*manda*

Just an update- ordered new hard disk which came Tuesday- popped it in tonight along with the win7 disc, it asked to "repair PC" which I clicked on then it found system image and bingo- all sorted!

Many thanks for everyones help and advice, it's a bummer it needed replacing but it's done now, and hopefully this will last longer. I opted for the samsung 1TB at £70. It's noisier-but i'm sure I'll get used to that. Fingers crossed this will see me right now.

Just for future reference- if the PC freezes- which is occasionally would do, how can you safely turn it off? I have had to turn it off at source before and I know this isn't the right way to do it but I didn't know if there was a "safe" way. Hoping it won't be an issue but obviously want to protect this one as much as I can?

closed

A phone call would have been cheaper.

There is no safe way, if ctrl alt del is unresponsive, the only option is to hold down the power on button, but the worst it will do is a logical corruption, which if you have a backup, isn't a problem