Laptop Problems (Maybe harddrive related)


Recommended Posts

Hi guys

 

I've have been asked to help with a laptop from a relative. The problem is that windows takes 10-15 minutes to boot, and when booted windows says that I should backup immidiatly as there is a an error with the machine. I have the exact computer myself and it usually only takes 40-60 seconds for me when i boot. The computer has the following specs:

 

 
Intel Core i5-3317U processor/1.7 GHz
6 GB RAM & 500 GB harddrive
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Windows 7 Home Premium
 
 
I am thinking the problem could be the harddrive. I don't know much about harddrive errors, but i ran a test via Hirens Boot CD (USB) and it said no bad sectors both times i ran it. I then tried to format and reinstall Windows, but now i cant even do that. Windows install says something in the likes of "Cant create a new partition" so something is up. 
 
Can you guys direct me to a way to ensuring if it's the harddrive? Preferably tests i can load on a bootable USB as i cant install windows.
 
Ps. i can run Ubuntu from a USB stick with no problem, so a program in Ubuntu to do the tests will also be fine.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hard drives do not have to report bad sectors in order to be bad/going bad.

 

I know in Dell systems, they have their own diagnostics.  What OEM laptop do you have?  Have another HD to test with?

 

I believe Ubuntu has a build in disk checker as well.  System/admin/disk util.

 

And what is the exact error that is being displayed?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hard drives do not have to report bad sectors in order to be bad/going bad.

 

I know in Dell systems, they have their own diagnostics.  What OEM laptop do you have?  Have another HD to test with?

 

I believe Ubuntu has a build in disk checker as well.  System/admin/disk util.

 

And what is the exact error that is being displayed?

 

Thanks for the answer :)

 

I tried booting linux and using the disk checker and i think i've found the problem. 

 

The computer has a "hybrid" harddrive system where 24GB of SSD are present, and according to Ubuntu's S.M.A.R.T test "The disk will most likely fail soon". Could that explain it? And do you know a way of disabling this SSD part to see if that's the problem?

 

According to other sites the SSD part and the 500GD harddrive are seperate with the SSD being a part of the motherboard, so i dont know if i can physically disconnect it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the answer :)

 

I tried booting linux and using the disk checker and i think i've found the problem. 

 

The computer has a "hybrid" harddrive system where 24GB of SSD are present, and according to Ubuntu's S.M.A.R.T test "The disk will most likely fail soon". Could that explain it? And do you know a way of disabling this SSD part to see if that's the problem?

 

According to other sites the SSD part and the 500GD harddrive are seperate with the SSD being a part of the motherboard, so i dont know if i can physically disconnect it.

 

What is the laptop make/model? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

According to Ubuntu's S.M.A.R.T test "The disk will most likely fail soon".

 

You've answered your own question. Back up your data and replace the drive.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My bad. The exact model is Samsung NP530U3C-A04SE

http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/NP530U3C-A04SE

 

Hybrid drives are all in one.  Not part on the hard drive and part on the mobo board.  Most likely this is an express cache drive, or something similar.  It requires software to be installed in Windows to enable it.  I do know on some laptops, you can disable it in the BIOS.

 

With that said, it is probably your main HD that is the issue, not the on board SSD drive.  You will need to replace the hard drive most likely.  I had a similar issue with my Samsung Chronos Series 7 last weekend and had to replace the HD.  My laptop has an 8gb express cache iSSD on the mobo.  You will need to clear the onboard storage after you replace the drive and before you install windows.  Or else you will have problems with the laptop booting the new drive.  At least, I did.  You can do this by booting the Windows install CD, exiting to a command shell, and running diskpart.

 

I would verify what that 24gb storage is for tho.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also, if the OS is for some reason installed on the 24gig onboard storage and that is the problem, you can just reinstall the OS on the other HD and is should make it the primary drive when you do.  Then just disable/dont use the onboard.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No reason to dwell on this -

pull the drive - plug it in via USB/SATA adapter if you need to attempt to pul;l data off of it - then move forward -

Now would be a great time to move to a strictly SSD solution - that hybrid crap is dumb

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.