Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: comda on September 30, 2012, 05:19:20 PM
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Hello computer world!
I currently have a laptop (Toshiba Satellite L645D) that is giving me an error code upon login saying:
"windows detected a hard disk problem" and asks if i should back-up my stuff now or later.
Im not sure if this is an actual hard disk problem or if its windows that has a virus, however using the system ignoring the error is irritating, due to the system being VERY slow and sometimes unresponsive. Two nights ago, i was lucky (if the hard drive is really dying) to get the Recovery DVDs off the systems back-up partition. I have made back-up DVDs before on another toshiba, but with this one it took the computer a good 5 minutes to load up the media creator application to do it. (Those are DVDs of windows correct? with the drivers to the system?) Anyways i was wondering if someone can tell me where i can get something called a SMART check? i heard that it will check my hard disks sectors or something is that true? or is there another way to find out if this drive is gonna dig its grave? I know for sure its a 5400RPM 640GB drive not sure what company though. Any suggestion are very much appreciated. thanks
My system specs>
2.2GHZ AMD Athlon (Dual core)
4GB of DD2 or DD3 not 100 percent sure....
640GB hard drive
ati 4500? i think graphics 256mb.
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Download Speccy (http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download) and then install the program. To post and publish a snapshot of your PC.
. In the Menu bar, click File -> Publish Snapshot
. Click Yes > then Copy to Clipboard
. On your next reply, right-click on a empty space and click Paste on reply box then click Post
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I am sorry to say it sounds very much like your HDD is dying.
Yes those DVDs are usually a copy of the recovery partition.
The best way to know for sure is to find out who makes that drive.
Most Toshiba laptops I have come across use Fujitsu drives with the Toshiba branding on it. Wy advice would be to purchase another HDD of the same size or bigger and attempting to perform a 'clone' operation on it to save your data and installed programs or else install a clean copy of Windows to the laptop with the Recovery DVDs you made.
Once you have run speccy to find the manufacturer of the drive, If you have access to another machine, download and burn a copy of Falcon 4 UBCD. It has all the different manufacturer tools on it to diagnose a failing HDD. Or else get the tool from the manfacturers site.
If the diagnosis comes back OK;
NOTE:I am not a 'Malware Expert' on these forums but I do work in a computer repair environment where I handle them daily.
Download, install and do a full scan with Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware. Please do not actually remove anything with the program. This is just a test to determine if you need to create a post with the Malware Removal Specialists.
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Thanks Kurtiskain for your reply, i will try the Falcon 4 UBCD, my only question for that is, is this an ISO i download or is this an application that i install on the system?
And honestly i dont care about any of the stuff on the system anyways, All i have on there is a bunch of junk....
If the check comes back ok is it safe to simply load the back-up partition and restore it to factory settings?
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It is an ISO file yes :) and must be burnt to a blank CD-R or DVD-/+R.
If you would like a guide to this please just ask :)
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You could also transfer all your files to another HD/computer then simply transfer them over once you swap out a new HD. It wouldn't be difficult at all.
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plus once you get the hdd you could back up your os and prevent this problem and swap drives when needed.
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Thanks for Your help guys.. I havnt found a chance to test the drive yet however what i do know that i need to swap it out soon for the system its self is unuseable. The only question that i have is that am i able to grt certain applications like office 2010 and possibly nero off the hard drive to the new one without cloning the disk drive?
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You cannot transfer programs - they need to be reinstalled (or yes, you can image / clone the drives)
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Or if you feel like spending money - PcMover is great for transferring programs, even office, between OSes. Use it here in the shop when people get upgraded machines.
NOTE. Both machines need to be operational for this to work.
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Why bother impressing a bunch of silly girls? (Thinks back to own youth...) Impress the ones that are worth impressing with something worthwhile. Not the shape of your laptop. Or the logo on it.
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Why bother impressing a bunch of silly girls? (Thinks back to own youth...) Impress the ones that are worth impressing with something worthwhile. Not the shape of your laptop. Or the logo on it.
"You stole this from Salmon Trout the great genius"
.... ::)
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Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Thank you, Patio, for those obviously spontaneous kind words.
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:P
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the ones that are worth impressing
The ones with big ****s, I mean.
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Big Apple's ? ?
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Big Apple's ? ?
Indeed.
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OK so the drive is dying anyone have a suggestion of which brand drive i should buy as a replacement??? I've used many Seagates and been happy with them.. Still have a old seagate 10 Gb running from late 99' however with my newest gaming rig, i decided to take a chance on a Western digital 1tb 7200RPM drive? was the right move? Let me kno.. As for the laptop drive.. what do you thing? Seagate or WD? and 500Gb should be enough right?