Hard disk problem

[Allan]

Please run several passes.

[SHESHE]

Please run several passes.

i was trying to run the second time and half way through the darn thing shut off again!  Why would that happen, do you know?

Thank you!

[Allan]

There is clearly a hardware problem somewhere - most likely ram.

[SHESHE]

OK, I ran the diagnostic thing and got 2 passes before the computer quit on me.  I have another question for you if you don't mind.  Could there be a short somewhere?  When I hold the computer in my lap it runs but as soon as I set the laptop down is when it shuts down eventually.  (Just thought I'd throw that out there)  It's probably coincidence but......

I guess I'll look into replacing the RAM.  Is it as easy to replace RAM is it was replacing the Hard Drive?  Do I just get a part number and order a replacement?

Thank you to everyone for all the help.  I really appreciate it!

[Allan]

It could be the ram, a short, the hd...... pretty much anything. I'm sorry, but laptop hw problems can be difficult to diagnose and twice as hard from a distance. Maybe someone else will have some other thoughts....

[SHESHE]

Thank you Allan.

Any other ideas on what I should do would be greatly appreciated.

[Computer_Commando]

Check for overheating.  There are a number of free monitoring programs.
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html
http://www.piriform.com/speccy

You might have to clean the Processor Thermal-Cooling Assembly by blowing out the dust.

[SHESHE]

I was able to clean the Processor Thermal-Cooling Assembly which was really nasty/dirty.  Then I was able to go back in and run the Data Lifeguard Diagnostics program and the computer didn't turn off and I was able to complete the diagnostic program and MY COMPUTER IS WORKING!!!  There was an error that the program was able to fix.

THANK ALL OF YOU AT COMPUTER HOPE FOR THE HELP!  I know I will be coming back here for any other issues or questions I might have.

Sheila

[truenorth]

If i might suggest for the future. As you have learned the reasons for computer problems can be quite varied. In your initial post i believe that you were convinced that your problem was with your HDD. Then as a result of some evidence the belief by members (including me) was that you were dealing with a RAM issue. You seem to present a willingness to try and repair things yourself as is evidenced by your previously having changed a HDD. So now my advice. Take your time to try and determine the real cause of an issue before rushing out to change or buy things that may not solve the issue. In this thread there were many suggestions (via web links) to try and deal with your issue. It is clear that you did read and follow many of them. However there are some principally those by Computer_Commando that i urge you to read even though you have seemingly overcome your current problem. By doing so it will expose you to knowledge of how to do things and will increase your confidence in how to deal with your computer problems in the future (because there certainly will be some ). In addition there are generally more than one way to test/do things. Pleased to hear that your up and running again.truenorth

[patio]

Do you mean the heat-sink/fan ? ?
I;ve never heard it called that.

[Computer_Commando]

Do you mean the heat-sink/fan ? ?
I;ve never heard it called that.

That's what Dell calls it in the Service Manual for that laptop.  The fan is not attached to the heat exchanger.