the hard drive is almost like a record player it reads and writes, you can check the hdd if you have the 32bit diags installed
start the computer and start tapping the F12 key to get the onetime boot menu, select the option for diagnostics, and then run the 32 bit full diags record any errors you get and call tech support for additional support needed
If the hard drive has been replaced, or the utility isn't available from F12 for any reason, you may also download Dell Diagnostics for the I8100 using another PC, and use the downloaded file on a working system with a floppy drive to create a set of boot floppies.
It's most probably the hard drive assembley itself, not the interface on the motherboard. Dell Diagnostics may confirm or deny the hard drive failure, which still doesn't guarantee the motherboard, but the combination of symptoms, including audible clicks, points to the hard drive. A replacement will verify the drive was bad, if the problem is gone.
Alternatively, if you / your sister can still put your hands on the Drivers & Utilities CD which shipped with the system , you can boot from that to run the diagnostics. Press F12 repeatedly when you see the blue Dell screen, insert the Drivers & Utilities CD, choose "boot from CD/DVD" and it should load the diags.
The 8100 did not ship with a diagnostics partition on the HD.
After installing the replacement hard drive and reinstalling the O/S(windows) You have to use your resource cd to install the drivers.
Here is the order you have to install them in:
1. notebook software 2. Intel Chipste 3.(if applicable)the card reader driver 4. video 5. sound 6.NIC 7 Wireless Nic 8 Sound 9. modem and the install the Antivirus even if it's just a trial version
arnicletech
15 Posts
0
August 4th, 2006 19:00
the hard drive is almost like a record player it reads and writes, you can check the hdd if you have the 32bit diags installed
start the computer and start tapping the F12 key to get the onetime boot menu, select the option for diagnostics, and then run the 32 bit full diags record any errors you get and call tech support for additional support needed
GreyMack
2.2K Posts
0
August 5th, 2006 04:00
It's most probably the hard drive assembley itself, not the interface on the motherboard. Dell Diagnostics may confirm or deny the hard drive failure, which still doesn't guarantee the motherboard, but the combination of symptoms, including audible clicks, points to the hard drive. A replacement will verify the drive was bad, if the problem is gone.
GM
Message Edited by GreyMack on 08-04-200610:11 PM
rwm32
557 Posts
0
August 6th, 2006 08:00
t238.4
6 Posts
0
August 17th, 2006 03:00
Ive just obtained a new hardrive but whilst installing my screen display is very small ie a huge border!:smileysurprised:
arnicletech
15 Posts
0
August 17th, 2006 12:00
After installing the replacement hard drive and reinstalling the O/S(windows) You have to use your resource cd to install the drivers.
Here is the order you have to install them in:
1. notebook software 2. Intel Chipste 3.(if applicable)the card reader driver 4. video 5. sound 6.NIC 7 Wireless Nic 8 Sound 9. modem and the install the Antivirus even if it's just a trial version
t238.4
6 Posts
0
August 17th, 2006 15:00