Samsung HD103SJ Hard Drive Replacement

Question

I have a Dell Studio XPS 8100 with an i5 processor, 8GIG of memory, Windows 7 Professional (upgraded on-line after Dell purchase) and a single 1TB Samsung HD103SJ HDD. Last weekend the Samsung went south. The drive does not spin and BIOS can't see it. My brother-in-law said "No problem" and proceedes to attempt restoration. After dozens of false start-ups, BIOS adjustments and a six-pack of beer he declared defeat.

I have three questions:

1. How should the BIOS "SATA Mode" be selected for a single 1TB HDD? (I am getting a new 1TB Western Digital Black from Dell) All the BIOS features are now set to "default" including the "SATA Mode" in "RAID".

2. Is there a maximum number of times you can use the Dell Windows 7 Installation DVD?

3. Will having Windows 7 Professional previuosly installed cause a problem reinstalling Windows 7 from the Dell Reinstallation DVD in the new HDD?

Thanks

SSBN632G · Accepted Answer

Thanks, I will use SATA. I didn't know if DELL had embedded AHCI in their RAID BIOS option somehow for a single hard drive selection.

I downloaded the Digital River Windows7 ISO from www.w7forums.com/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads-t12325.html, created a DVD and actually saw the Windows 7 introduction page!!

All I have left to do is load all the drivers and software. This is a road I have been down many times before.

You reference to the Digital River download was a godsend.

Thank you, I apologize for any reference I that could possibly be made to you when I let loose about how DELL is handling the Samsung HDD failure problem. I have seen how you have helped many people in the DELL community and now I am one of them

Thanks again!

SSBN632G · Answer

I had a Hard Disk Failure, a sudden non-recoverable failure of my Samsung HD103SJ, before its warranty (3 years) but before DELL's warranty (2 years) in a little over 2 years. I have contacted Samsung (now Seagate) and was told this hard drive is under DELL's warranty.

I can't reload the operating system with my existing resources -- DELL systems repair/recovery disks I created per DELL instructions -- DON'T WORK!! I have gone so far as returning a HDD I purchased locally and purchasing a 1TB Western Digital HDD from DELL (which is supposed to compatible???). The HDD came from DELL containing absolutely no supporting information to help me in installing the OS in my Dell Studio XPS 8100.:emotion-9:

I have upgraded my Windows7 Home Premium 64-Bit to Windows 7 Professional on-line after my original DELL purchase. I don't know if this is any factor in my extreme frustration with DELL and their INADEQUATE SUPPORT to loyal customers.:emotion-10:

I am not a computer illiterate and I am not a DELL software ROADBLOCK clearing expert: I am an Electrical Professional Engineer and have worked with main-frame, computer controls, PCs and solid state devices for over 30 years. DELL acknowledged that there was a problem with the Samsung HD103SJ hard drive, but has not stood behind its customers – DELL only issued an “urgent” firmware upgrade for the Samsung hard drive which had to be independently discovered on DELL’s web site and was extremely difficult to install. DELL has offered no recall or additional assistance. A simple instruction sheet or software patch to correct the situation would be all that was needed. In my long electrical career, DELL now ranks among the highest computer suppliers for indifference to the needs of their customers.:emotion-7:

rdunnill · Answer

Does the BIOS have an option for AHCI? If so, use that.

I suggest downloading the generic Windows 7 Professional ISO from Digital River, burning it to DVD, and using it for the install. It will be unencumbered by unneeded add-ons that can sap performance. As long as Windows 7 hasn't been installed on another PC, you can reinstall and reactivate it; you can use a Windows 7 install DVD to install any number of times, provided you use a unique product key for each machine it will be activated on.

You shouldn't have any problems reactivating; at worst, you'll have to call the 1-800 number to manually activate.

It's easy enough to reinstall Windows, but if you haven't backed up your data and the original hard drive won't spin up, you've likely lost whatever's on there unless you're willing to pay a stiff fee to a data recovery company.

SSBN632G · Answer

Thanks, I am grasping at straws to try and get my system back, hence the question about the maximum number of DELL Windows7 reinstallation trys.

My BIOS does not have an ACHI option, only SATA and RAID. Does the DELL's BIOS RAID option enable ACHI?

I will try the Digital River Windows7 method.

Thanks again, this gives me something new to try. I have to get my system running again. My unfiled tax return is trapped in my dead DELL computer.

rdunnill · Answer

I suggest using the SATA option. RAID is for multiple hard drives.

Storage, Drives & Media

Samsung HD103SJ Hard Drive Replacement

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