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Fofur_be

2 Posts

6880

January 27th, 2005 12:00

Problem with my HD

Hello,

I've an Inspiron 8100 and I met some problem with my HD. Windows doesn't start anymore and I suspect my hard Drive is dying.
I execute the IDE Drive Diagnostics (CTR+ALT+"D" when Dell logo appears) and this return me some error code (FAIL 57)
Is it possible to find somewhere the meaning of those error codes?

Thanks for the help

Rollie_R

2 Intern

 • 

2.2K Posts

January 27th, 2005 12:00

Fofur_be,
 
Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.
 
I do not have a list of the failure codes.  However, any failure message during the diagnostics indicates a failed or failing hard drive, which should be replaced.
 

johnallg

2 Intern

 • 

7.3K Posts

January 29th, 2005 01:00

First reseat both the hdd and the fixed optical drive.  If the error is the same, then remove the fixed drive and try the hdd boot again.  If it still won't be found, then lay the hdd on the table, pick it up with the fingers of one hand like palming a basketball, then give it a few sharp horizontal twists - you are trying to spin the internal platter(s).  If you get it to start, then back it up immediately.

Fofur_be

2 Posts

February 3rd, 2005 06:00

Thanks for your support, I get also confirmation by Hitachi that my drive must be replaced.
I heard that laptop doesn't accept all 2.5" hard drive, thus I was wondering how can I now before to buy it if my new hard drive will be compatible with my Dell Inspiron 8100.
Is there somewhere a list of compatible drives?
or at least some guideline (eg: speed limit higher than 5400 not supported, max 120Gb hard drives, ....?)
Thanks

I'm interested by one of those hard drive:
- Hitachi Travelstar - 40 Go 2"1/2 5400 RPM 8 Mo (bulk)
- Hitachi Travelstar 40GN - 40 Go 2"1/2 (bulk)


Have a nice day
Didier

GreyMack

2 Intern

 • 

2.2K Posts

February 3rd, 2005 11:00

Any 2.5" hard drive should be fine. There is no spindle speed limitation, and I don't think you'll find a notebook drive over 100GB on the market yet.
 

 
The operating system and file systems also have some bearing on this issue.
 
I am confident the BIOS could be updated to address large-capacity external drives, if it isn't already, but I'm less certain of any limitations regarding the internal hard drive controller. Hopefully it is not limited to 120GB/137GB capacity LBA 28-bit addressing, and partitioning the drive into smaller "virtual" drives would be an effective work-around in any case.

 
GM

Message Edited by GreyMack on 02-03-2005 06:04 AM

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