Dell Warranty - purchased 2010

Heedtheadvice

Not only that but Dell have maintenance instructions on their web site as a pdf telling you how to take out and replace the hard disk, and as said previously it's easy.:j

Are you sure the drive is goosed? Download and try the manufacturer's free disk diagnostic/test programs first (Seagate's for example will boot and run from your cd drive) it may be you've had a problem but the drive is actually still OK saving you yet more money.

When you have a working drive (new or otherwise) you may well still need the hardware drivers for the machine (depending upon os system you have) in addition to Windows and these can also be downloaded from Dell's web site. You will need your service tag that is on the back of your laptop. I had to do it over the last few days for a much older machine and after a bit of swearing:o it was successful!:T

macman

Replacing the hard drive is far easier than what you have already done. Unscrew the hatch underneath and it just slots out, and the new one in.

closed

If it's really faulty, (has nifty come to that conclusion, or you, or the shop?), it's far more sensible to buy one and reinstall windows from the disc you've now got, than to replace or throwaway money in a repair shop. The only skill required to do this is to use a screwdriver, if it's under a flap on the bottom of the machine, a 6 year old could do it in 60 seconds - it's as easy as changing batteries in a remote control.

£30 for a disk


http://www.ebuyer.com/store/Storage/cat/Hard-Drive---Internal/subcat/2.5%22-SATA-Drives?sort=price

Warranties are rarely good value.

Firemunchkin

Alright then you've all made me think I can do this so I'm doing it!! Just need to work out which hard-drive to buy...

NiftyDigits

Firemunchkin wrote: »

Alright then you've all made me think I can do this so I'm doing it!! Just need to work out which hard-drive to buy...

The least expensive here @£29.30 is perfectly fine, if 320GB is adequate for you.

SunnySky

Yeah, I agree.

The Samsung Hard Drive is more than good enough. You need that, a screwdriver and the CDs you made.
Big savings, with little fuss!

What's your laptop model? Just google 'Laptop Hard Drive Dell XXXX ' and there is probably a video of someone changing the hard drive.

(Also, when you do buy a new computer, don't bother with an extended warranty, as they are pretty much just a rip-off).

Firemunchkin

Well - success!! We've bought a hard-drive (less than £40 and free next day delivery from Amazon), DH has removed the old one and put in the new ("much easier than thought it would be" he says...)

Now he's managed to install Windows and he's trying to get all the drivers installed.

I'm so chuffed!! Thank you again for all the guidance and support - there's no way we'd have felt confident enough to try this on our own without it.

:beer:

NiftyDigits

Good to know. Though eBuyer was from £30 with free next day delivery.

Just use the Service Tag(found at the bottom of the laptop) here to find any missing Drivers.
Begin with the Chipset Driver if there is one.