Laptop issues! Help please!

Maz

Again, thanks for all your responses.

I've tried all your suggestions and tbh, I think a new drive is the way to go. Is it really that simple to install?

Figment

A new hard drive is simple to install. If you post the full model number of the laptop I can probably find online instructions, but on most you simply remove a cover on the bottom of the laptop (1-2 screws) slide the old drive out, slide the new drive in. Replace Cover.

If you can get the old one out and post the model number, we can point you at suitable replacements

Re-installing the operating system is straightforward, albeit a time-consuming job. The recovery disk you have will reinstall everything as it was on the day you bought it. You will then need to sort anti-virus software* and use Windows Update to bring Windows 7 back up to date.


* The laptop may have originally been supplied with a trial version of either Norton or McAfee Security Centre, and I'd recommend uninstalling it straight away and installing either MSE or Avast, both of which are free.

-TangleFoot-

Maz wrote: »

I've tried all your suggestions...

Note: If the drive is listed in the BIOS you should be able to test it using something like this. At least then you'll know what's wrong with it.

bluesnake

No one has suggested a bootable linux disk, just to see if the disk is readable and to do a chkdsk?

My friend whom had Fujitsu and others complain that some of the drivers are not built into windows and Fujitsu charge £50 for the CD, but this was when xp was around.

Maz

Great stuff again, thanks all!

I'll need to buy a set of mini screwdrivers to remove the drive, then I'll post up the required info.

tbh, I thought I was going to have to shell out for a new laptop, so you've saved me quite a lot of cash. Any idea how much I'll be looking at paying for a new drive, just roughly?

You've all been totally fab, thank you all soooooo much.

-TangleFoot-

Maz wrote: »

Any idea how much I'll be looking at paying for a new drive, just roughly?

~£40-£650 depending on capacity and type.

Maz

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

~£40-£650 depending on capacity and type.

Well, it's just a bog standard laptop so I'm hoping it's going to be nearer the 40 quid mark rather than the 650 :eek:

You've all been superstars :beer: Speaking as someone who struggles to change a plug, when I get the new drive I could well be back....;)

p.s. what does a hard drive look like, I have no idea and don't want to be removing some vital component by mistake! I did a google but the images just kept showing laptops. Not that I'm floundering in the dark or anything............

Leo2020

HDD image - http://www.laptoprepair101.com/wp-images/external-laptop-harddrive-2.jpg

But as your not too familiar with computer hardware it might be worth looking up a tutorial online on how to replace a HDD.

-TangleFoot-

Maz wrote: »

I'm hoping it's going to be nearer the 40 quid mark

Thanks to the flooding in Thailand prices are still a little high, though the upper limit quoted is for hideously expensive solid-state rather than good ol' mechanical.

How old is this laptop anyway?

Maz

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Thanks to the flooding in Thailand prices are still a little high, though the upper limit quoted is for hideously expensive solid-state rather than good ol' mechanical.

How old is this laptop anyway?

It's 2 years old.