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6587
June 27th, 2004 09:00
Help... I think my hard drive is failing
Inspiron 8100 1.2 P111 Win XP
Oh No... I think I'm in trouble.... laptop started making a horrible grinding/clicking noise from somewhere underneath, at first I thought it was the fan sticking but at some point that did come on. (the bios was upgraded 2 yrs ago to A12 from the advice of tech support, due to a fan issue).
What was more worrying was that whilst this noise was going on the hard drive slowed right down untill eventually all I got was the dreaded 'blue' screen. All I could do then was switch off & try and re-boot... This time even worse... just got a black screen with something like 'unable to find ?' Sorry, but at this point I was so paniky, forgot to write down what!!
Booted up laptop again today... ran ok for long enough to save some files! ..then off it went again.... whirring, grinding & again slowed right down. Managed to turn it off before everything went.
I'm sure the hard drive is on its way out. Could someone please tell me where the hard drive is as I will be ringing tech support & because the noise is so loud may be able to tell them what bit is making the noise!
Am also slightly concerned that the laptop does seem to be very hot, & whilst the fan does come on sometimes does not run all the time.... should it?? I would have thought it should as what else cools the inside??
Please Please help as I really love this laptop & am really worried that something has gone really wrong.
(Up to date anti-virus, regularily run de-frag, & nothing new recently installed)
Sorry for being so vague... as you can see I am not at all techy
Brundy
Ed C
2 Intern
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3.2K Posts
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June 27th, 2004 17:00
Yes it is the HDD, you don't need to download and run anything to know that. If the unit is still in warranty call Dell tech support and have them send out a new HDD. If it's out of warranty just replace it yourself. You can find notebook HDDs on the NET for under $100 that will work in your model, in fact almost any brand notebook drive will work in your model. The HDD is on the left side of the notebook and can be removed by taking out 1 screw. Use the "Download" tab at the top of this page to download the service manual for your model. It is very easy to change the HDD
NOTE
You will need to reload the OS, drivers for your model and all your programs.
pukame2
224 Posts
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June 27th, 2004 17:00
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
Go to this website and download this free software, if you can. This will give you info on your laptop and check the status of your harddrive. If you need info on your harddrive, go to Dell info and find harddrive replacement for the facts on removal. If that's not working for you, get back to me and we'll find another way. Mike.
brundy
10 Posts
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June 30th, 2004 17:00
Thank you to you both for your help.... could'nt reply before as the hard drive failed. Cannot praise 'Dell' enough for their online support & following a call to tech support, (mon am) had received a new hard drive by Tues!! Brilliant service. Thank goodness I had the extended warranty!
Tech support had me run the 'dell diagnostic' by hitting Ctrl/Alt/D on start-up & the hard drive failed.
Again thank you for your help.
Brundy
Ed C
2 Intern
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3.2K Posts
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June 30th, 2004 17:00
Your Welcome.