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hard drive dead? by - keef on 06-25-2006 at 11:31 PM

I've been using this computer for around 4 years. Today when i went to explorer the page was blank for a long time and the harddrive made this clicking noise.The page finally loaded but when i went to new pages the same thing happened. So i rebooted the computer and the clicking noise was still there. As it was booting it didn't detect the primary master and 5 seconds later it says " boot disk failure, please insert disk " Is there a way to fix this?


RE: hard drive dead? by YourNeibour on 06-26-2006 at 03:31 PM

Sounds like your hard drive may be dying or dead.  Try to back up and get a new hd


RE: hard drive dead? by welshboy222 on 06-26-2006 at 03:36 PM

I agree 4 years for a hard drive is hard work what computer is it?


RE: hard drive dead? by Anubis on 06-26-2006 at 04:07 PM

It is most likely a hard disk error. This could be caused by dust, old age or any number of factors. The first thing you should do is unplug the computer, open the case and then check the IDE and Power cables to make sure they are properly connected.

If they are connected, look over the hard disk for dust, do not directly try and remove it, but if you can blow on the hard disk to get rid of some of the dust do so.

After you've made sure it's all hooked up try a few startups (about 10 or 12) and if you can get it booted up once back up everything. I know someone who had a similar problem, and got the hard disk to boot up once and put everything on disk, afterwards it wouldn't work again.

If none of the above works, I suggest you buy a new hard disk (put an operating system on it) and put it in the computer as the master, and your old hard disk as the slave. It is possible for old broken hard disks to work as long as they are only the slave drive (not advisable as a permanent arrangement as it obviously won't work as a slave for long, but hopefully enough time to salvage any data).

Once you are sure you have all data off your old hard disk, it's probably best to format it. It may give it a few years extra life, but be sure to make sure you have all data you want off the hard disk before you format.

quote:
Originally posted by welshboy222

I agree 4 years for a hard drive is hard work
My dad's old computer had a 128mb hard disk that was bought in 1992, and was worked hard, and still works. But 4 years heavy use may cause a hard disk to not work.
RE: hard drive dead? by - keef on 06-26-2006 at 09:00 PM

its a no name computer. i looked at the hard drive and it says its IBM. I wiped the dust of the hard drive and still same problem...i guess im just gona hafta buy a new hard drive.


RE: hard drive dead? by Adeptus on 06-26-2006 at 09:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by -Keef
i looked at the hard drive and it says its IBM.
Oh no! :(

While the clicking death is not unique to IBM, it was IBM Deskstar drives -- what I imagine you have -- that made it news several years ago.  The publicity of "Deathstar" was magnified by it being a very popular drive at that time, and for quite a while, the fastest IDE drive on the market.  There was even talk of class action lawsuit at the time. 

You have been very lucky to have yours last as long as it has; 4 years can probably be considered a normal life span for a hard drive.


RE: hard drive dead? by - keef on 06-27-2006 at 04:24 AM

yea..its Deskstar..i guess i got ripped off...


RE: hard drive dead? by YourNeibour on 06-27-2006 at 02:09 PM

Hard drive usually lasts anywhere from 2-5 years depending on make and model.  You could try to see if it's under warranty but I would suggest just do a backup and get a new drive they are cheap enough now you can get a 300gig for about 165.00 cdn


RE: hard drive dead? by - keef on 06-27-2006 at 07:19 PM

yea..i was wondering..if i buy a new hardrive..that means i have to buy a new operating system too right?


RE: hard drive dead? by YourNeibour on 06-27-2006 at 08:29 PM

nope.  If you have a copy of Windows at home just boot the CD and install anything you want.


RE: hard drive dead? by - keef on 06-27-2006 at 09:11 PM

But i thought u can only have one serial key per computer. Can you use one key for two comps?


RE: hard drive dead? by YourNeibour on 06-28-2006 at 02:34 AM

yes you can.  Microsoft let's you install windows on the same computer as many times as you want.


RE: hard drive dead? by Lou on 06-28-2006 at 03:34 AM

quote:
Originally posted by YourNeibour
yes you can.  Microsoft let's you install windows on the same computer as many times as you want.
Nope. That's not true. Your information is incorrect.
What I meant (and should've written) is that you can install it, but not activate it, as many times as you want.
RE: hard drive dead? by ddunk on 06-28-2006 at 03:37 AM

quote:
Originally posted by .Lou
quote:
Originally posted by YourNeibour
yes you can.  Microsoft let's you install windows on the same computer as many times as you want.
Nope. That's not true. Your information is incorrect.

Actually, I believe you can install it as many times as you want, but activation will not work after a certain number of times.
RE: hard drive dead? by Jhrono on 06-28-2006 at 03:38 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Ddunk
but activation will not work after a certain number of times.
I think you have the right to X activations for each 6 months
RE: hard drive dead? by Lou on 06-28-2006 at 03:48 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Johny
quote:
Originally posted by Ddunk
but activation will not work after a certain number of times.
I think you have the right to X activations for each 6 months
From my research it is actually something like 4 activations per Serial Number.
RE: hard drive dead? by YourNeibour on 06-28-2006 at 03:16 PM

I have a VLM key for xp but if that is true that is dumb at the part of microsoft not able to activate more then4 times.


RE: hard drive dead? by Voldemort on 06-28-2006 at 04:08 PM

Why? people can then pass their key to others and have it for free...


RE: hard drive dead? by - keef on 06-28-2006 at 07:30 PM

hm...so..one serial key can cover 4 comps?