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November 24th, 2012 14:00
disk error
I have an Inspiron n5010 purchased a year ago for Frosh college year, it works well but has gotten sluggish. University had me download AVG but I already had AVAST loaded on. Since then I have noticed that when I log on I get a message about disk error. My questions are these:
1) Original purchase did not come with system repair disk only Drivers/Utilities disk. I have a back-up that I performed when I purchased a year ago and I have the ability to back up anytime I want. Does the Driver/Utility disk have the repair utility I need?
2) Does back-up I did last year have EVERYTHING I need (drivers, programs, ect) including or specifically repair disk tool. I would prefer to NOT NOT NOT do reinstall I just want to fix the problem.
3) Back-up now and if so will it back-up whatever is causing the problem? Diagnostic states that program download caused the problem so I assume its the AVG download. I can also delete and re-load and will THAT fix problem or conversely I can remove AVAST as maybe two virus protections running may be causing problem?
4) I have loaded office 4-5 times on multiple computers that my family has crashed will Microsoft let me continue loading ad-infinitum? Because that will be a problem if I re-boot lappie!
Thanks for the help
Mark
theflash1932
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16.3K Posts
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November 26th, 2012 09:00
I moved this to the Operating System section, as you will not usually see as many eyes familiar with your system/issue in the Servers section.
First, you should only ever keep one anti-virus running on your computer. If school made you install AVG, then uninstall Avast first.
As for your "disk error", I would suggest running diagnostics to see if your disk is healthy (do not rely on non-Dell/non-disk-mfg utilities for the health of your disks):
ftp.dell.com/.../CW1384A0.exe
1. No. This will only restore your data to the point of that backup. Are you talking about an actual "backup" or are you talking about creating the "recovery disks" prompted by the Dell DataSafe software?
2. Depends on above. If you are talking about the "recovery disks", then it will contain all programs and software THAT CAME WITH your PC ... just like the day you first turned it on. Your personal data and any programs or settings installed since you first turned it on would be lost.
3. Very likely doing a "full" backup now will also capture the problem, EXCEPT PERHAPS in the case of an actual bad hard drive.
4. Yes, but soon it will not activate automatically and you will have to call a hotline to activate Office.
So, first, test your disk. If it passes, then uninstall all AV's and similar utilities, then install only the one you need. If it fails, copy whatever personal data you need and order a replacement hard drive, then restore from backup or do a clean install of Windows.