2.5" SATA II Diagnostics

[Zylstra]

I need a program, burnable to CD, that can diagnose a Laptop 2.5" SATA II Drive.
Its WesternDigital on a Gateway machine.

I recently discovered that I hate Gateway--they have a 13 character long serial number in print that is too small for me to easily read... I tried it many times, and Gateway keeps denying it, so I can't use whatever software they have for me, since I can't get to it.

Anyways, thank you for your help.

Best,
Jesse Zylstra

[patio]

WD's disk tools are called Data Lifeguard Tools...if you will be making a boot disk from it you want the DOS version...

Here Ya Go...

[Zylstra]

Patio,
I think I love you.

I knew WD had Lifeguard, but I thought it was drive-specific and might not work on just any of their drives. I'll be burning it a bit later, and will let you know how it works out


Thanks,
Jesse Zylstra

[Zylstra]

Patio,

Upon running, there is a very long delay with a blank screen, then a message saying that the License.txt file could not be found, and then it tells me it can not find command.com (press any key to retry, the old DOS drill)

[patio]

What tools did you use to burn the .iso to a bootableCD ? ?
Try imgBurn  FREE...and maybe a fresh DLoad as it might have gotten corrupted.

[Zylstra]

I used Ubuntu's default (which, I have never had problems with).
Though, right now, I'm out of blank CD's. I might try working on getting a bootable USB Drive to work.

[Zylstra]

Got it.

From a SMART Test. Not exactly /always/ the best test, but it shows that the drive has failed.

See results:
http://pastebin.ca/1568039

You know... a very very long time ago, back in the ages of Windows 3.11 actually (and, I think 95 did it as well), Windows would tell you when your drive was failing. Whatever happened to that?

I think it still has a valid warranty, I'll have to ask my customer if they still have the details on that.

Thanks for your help, Patio!

- Jesse Zylstra

[patio]

WD HDD's carry a 3 year warranty...
Unless it's a Caviar series which is 5 years...
BTW WD's customer service is a pleasure to deal with...one reason i continue to use their drives.
I had one go about 4 months past the 5 yr. warranty...communicated with them and they replaced it for me...above and beyond the call of duty.

Best of Luck.

[Zylstra]

Do you think I should get a replacement through Dell or WD?
Also, does WD do free shipping?

I know in the past, WD was one of the cheaper drives and not as well built. I take it they have gone past this reputation now.

[patio]

If you are replacing it yourself you'll probably find the best deals at newegg...
Great shipping
Great service

Did you contact WD about an RMA on the dead drive ? ?
They may still replace it FREE for you...

[Zylstra]

I'll call WD, I'd rather only have to send one part back...
The Dell should still be under warranty, however
Oh gosh, its a Gateway computer. I can't believe I forgot... I'll call Gateway if WD isn't going to replace the drive, and if that fails, I'll put a new one up for order.

[patio]

Gateway won't replace the drive...deal with WD.

[Zylstra]

Gateway won't replace the drive...deal with WD.

WD Won't replace the drive because it came from a system manufacturer...
What a pickle!

I've emailed Gateway, and indirectly accused them of sending a defective drive (because they did...) also attached S.M.A.R.T. report. I just hope they'll allow me to just send the drive back, and not the entire laptop.

[patio]

Best of Luck...
I've never heard of that before.

[Zylstra]

Okay... they sent me more steps than what the average person could handle in one page... and then three different ways to burn a CD.

"If still it shows that the hard drive is defective, I will do the needful."
Welcome to India (I think it's safe to guess)