Hard drive failing

Message

fjs08 · #1 Post by **fjs08** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:46 pm

Hi,

I have a ThinkPad T 40p. It's old. Every day when I boot up now, I get messages that it's recovered from a serious error. I'm asked to send the message to MS. When I do, the message notes problems with the Hard Drive (HD). I'm figuring I'm on borrowed time now.

Any thoughts on getting another HD, where I could get one, what do they cost, or should I chuck the ThinkPad and buy another notebook. That begs the issue XP vs Vista too.

I'm open to suggestions!

Frank

#2 Post by **richk** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:08 pm

First, make sure you have a good backup. If you need a new laptop, get a new laptop, but not because the drive is failing. Your problem is probably, but not necessarily, the disk. You can get a new drive almost anywhere. You need a 2 1/2" drive that is 9.5MM thick and has a PATA interface. You can find one for anywhere between $35 and $150, depending on size, speed, condition (new/used) There are several recent threads about cloning the HD. I also suggest running a drive fitness test, or booting to the recovery area and run disk diagnostics from there. If you decide to get a new machine, I am interested in buying your old one, as is. Send me a private message.

#3 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:07 pm

If you decide (after the testing that richk recommends) that you need a hard drive, any drive at the below link would work. Hitachi 7K100's are recommended. I see the price for a 100GB 7K100 has come down to $90. Good deal.

ATA-6 Drives at Newegg.com

#4 Post by **jdhurst** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:50 pm

Make sure you test the hard drive as it could well be failing. With respect to Microsoft's error analysis, those particular messages are (in my experience and opinion) generally useless. In my case, they *never* hit the mark - *never* once. And that is after responding for years to them. ... JDH

flashstar · #5 Post by **flashstar** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:54 pm

Considering that this problem has just started happening, it is most likely the hard drive. Grab a new one and reinstall. Then you should be set. I got my new 120gb Seagate Momentus 5400.3 for $70 on Ebay.

#6 Post by **carbon_unit** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:04 pm

Exactly JD! Microsoft's error messages are not very accurate. I would do a hard drive test before drawing any other conclusions. Then decide how to repair.

fjs08 · #7 Post by **fjs08** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:25 pm

>>I also suggest running a drive fitness test, or booting to the recovery area and run disk diagnostics from there.<<

I turn the machine on and it works. That's about as technical as it gets for me. I'd need step by step instructions if you could.

Thanks.

Frank

#8 Post by **richk** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:04 pm

Turn it on. Push access IBM button when you see the IBM splash screen. There will be an option to run diagnostics from the predesktop area. Run a disk test

Hard drive failing

Hard drive failing

Who is online