Worth Replacing Laptop Hard Drive?

[aczlan]

So last night I restarted without Internet cable plugged in and it is still not plugged in.
I set it to picture slideshow and it went all night without a glitch... either I was lucky or the Hard Drive is a symptom and not the problem.
The inquisitive side of me always looks for the reasoning...
The Hard Drive is near silent jut spinning away... I've heard hard drives that are noisy... a couple of years back our Nortel phone system crashed... the hard drive stopped working and the tech said their was no way to retrieve data... since he said that I asked to try and freeze it with CO2 and it worked long enough to transfer data...
Will be interesting to see what I find tonight.
Also pulled the 2 year old Duracell Battery pack and reinstalled... it ran 90 minutes with power left... I don't think it is a battery issue.
The brain trust at TBN is amazing!

When did Windows Update last look for and install updates? See the directions in my earlier post on how to check that. I have fixed a few computers that had the same issue by getting the computer manually updated.

Aaron Z

 

[Mendonsy]

There is a rather handy utility called Process Explorer which will show you a lot about what is going on inside the computer, particularly what is running and the resources being used. Of course if the display stops working then it can't help you. You can download it from here:
Process Explorer

 

[Oaktree]

This maybe a hard drive problem. It may not. It could be as simple as dust build up on the motherboard is causing an overtemp issue.

Yep. I've probably seen more problems caused by heat than crashed hard drives, especially in laptops or ultra-compact (paperback book-sized) computers. Check the heatsink and fan on the CPU, they'll often get clogged with dust. It doesn't take much!

I would right click on the taskbar on bottom of the screen, click on task manager, go to processes, check the box for show all processes and see how much memory and processor power is being used. I have seen computers lock up like you're describing with Windows update running in the background and using 99% of the processor power. If so there will be a process whose name starts with wau that is using at least 80% of the CPU.

Another good suggestion. In addition to Windows updates slowing down the computer, Chrome browser can sometimes fail to close out completely and hog a lot of memory. I'd suspect anything using more than a single digit's worth of CPU resources or more than 100k of RAM.

Installing a new HD can be a task- especially for someone who hasn't done it or doesn't need another hobby (besides tractors of course). Besides formatting and transferring data. You may have problems with Windows not liking the new HD (they think you stole a copy of of the OS).

Not really that hard to do, but the first time can be daunting.

Since the OP's computer does boot up and run, there's a pretty good chance you can make an image of it and use the image to create a new drive. Clonezilla is a good freeware program for this. Since it's an exact copy of your original drive, there shouldn't be any activation issues.

 

[ultrarunner]

It was two weeks ago in Olympia Washington...

Didn't use it for a few days and then noticed issues like it freezing and then the last couple of days to black screen.

I did go to a Jan 15th restore point and it failed several times... tried a later restore point just prior to the trip and it completed... but still having issues after.

I'm generally leary of doing anything when all is good... almost to the point of why risk it?

 

[newbury]

It was two weeks ago in Olympia Washington...

Didn't use it for a few days and then noticed issues like it freezing and then the last couple of days to black screen.

I did go to a Jan 15th restore point and it failed several times... tried a later restore point just prior to the trip and it completed... but still having issues after.

I'm generally leary of doing anything when all is good... almost to the point of why risk it?

Now's the time to clone the hard drive.
Get an external USB drive and make a 100% easily restorable backup AND CHECK THE BACKUP.

Start looking for a replacement laptop so you know what is a good deal. Spec it out like you would spec anything else out.
Do you need a touch screen?
5GHz wi-fi?
Built in blue-ray?
HDMI?
USB 3.0?
How big a screen?

Most of these features can be found on the commodity basic laptops, but like the one I bought, if you just walk into the store because you NEED ONE NOW you will probably end up paying a lot more compared to finding the same one on "sale".

 

[ultrarunner]

Good points...

My Acer is the only thing I have ever bought at Walmart... it was a back to school sale and I jumped on it.

Did want to feel too bad if something happened to it...

The Google Chrome Book might be all I need for on the go... I know smart phones can do just about everything but I find a full size keyboard and screen so much better.

 

[ultrarunner]

Update...

So the Acer has been running a slideshow for 24 hours with zero problem...

I plug in the Internet and within 2 minutes I get the Black Screen of Death...

So whatever it is only happens when the Internet is involved and no other time.

This has my flummoxed...

 

[s219]

Tried to respond 3 times and it froze... only way to force off by holding the power key.

Owned 3 computers in my life...

Apple //e cost $3000 with software, printer, hard drives.

Dell Win 98 cost $2200 with above

Acer Win 7 cost $199 with Home Edition package... simply did not want to buy expensive software again

Acer Hard drive online is about $40

Never transferred data from one computer to another... this is why the Apple //e and Win 98 are still available.

The most reliable to date is my 1981 Apple //e... works like a charm and never failed in any way!

Still got that old Apple? How about some pics?

 

[aczlan]

Update...

So the Acer has been running a slideshow for 24 hours with zero problem...

I plug in the Internet and within 2 minutes I get the Black Screen of Death...

So whatever it is only happens when the Internet is involved and no other time.

This has my flummoxed...

Its windows update trying to run in the background and getting stuck.

Aaron Z

 

[Sysop]

On windows 7 that would be as simple as turning updates off before connecting to rule out. I doubt that's it.

Unless you have a massive amount of photos for the slideshow to go through, this isn't a real test. Hundreds of pictures (potentially thousands, depending on the sizes) can be loaded into RAM, allowing the HDD to sleep while the slide show runs.

Try tools that are made to benchmark and test hardware. Seatools by Seagate has tests that will work on any drive.

Also, keep in mind, just because something passes a test, doesn't mean it is good. All it means is that it didn't fail that particular test at that particular time... False-positives are very common in hardware testing.

All of the previous recommendations and my bit above aside, I'd never replace a hard drive in an older notebook. I would only replace it with a solid state drive. Solid state drives are about 10x faster than a standard drive, and they have no moving parts so they are not vibration sensitive like a standard drive. Many companies that used to maintain a 2-year replacement cycle on notebooks started replacing the hard drive with a solid state drive to extend the usable lifespan of the machines; in doing so they have extended their replacement cycles to 4 years.

 

[MossRoad]

Update...

So the Acer has been running a slideshow for 24 hours with zero problem...

I plug in the Internet and within 2 minutes I get the Black Screen of Death...

So whatever it is only happens when the Internet is involved and no other time.

This has my flummoxed...

Its windows update trying to run in the background and getting stuck.

Aaron Z

I'm gonna agree with Aaron here.... Windows updates is probably trying to load from the internet every time you plug it into the network.

I didn't see a couple things asked or answered, so forgive me if they have. And don't be insulted by me asking novice type questions, because the first thing someone on the help desk will do is begin with the obvious questions because they don't know the user's skill level... so here goes...

How much free space do you have left on your hard drive?
When's the last time you degfragmented the hard drive?
Is is set to automatically install windows updates?
Have you tried setting windows updates to notify you of available updates, but not download them?
Have you tried pulling the battery and the power cord, then holding the power switch in for 10 seconds? (this may seem stupid) but many times hardware can get stuck in a weird state and even though you disconnect power and pull the battery, there are capacitors that will hold the hardware in a weird state. By pushing the power button with no power or battery available, it'll drain those capacitors. This works well for network card and video card issues.

If it were mine, I'd download the free version of CCleaner, install it, and run it. It'll clean out a bunch of C.

2nd, I'd download the free version of Auslogic's disk defragmenter, install it, run it with just the defrag option.

3rd, I'd then run Auslogic's disk defragmenter again, but choose the option to defrag AND optimize this time. This will pack all of your files down the one end (no end on a circle) of the hard drive and gain you any contiguous free space. Contiguous free space is important. Even if a drive says its 50% free, on a 6 year old machine, pretty much none of that space will be contiguous. There's just no room for the machine to do any work on the drive without swapping bits and pieces of files in and out of the tiny holes that are available.

So, to recap...
Set Windows updates to check, but not download.
Check your available disk space.
Run CCleaner and then check your free space again.
Run disk defrag and defrag your hard drive.
Run disk defrag again and defrag and optimize your hard drive.

Do those things and report back.

 

[Sysop]

He can't download anything if he can't be on the internet for more than a minute or two... If you honestly think it is Windows Update, I'd recommend simply disabling it and testing. If it still freezes, it isn't Windows Update. If it no longer freezes up, there are tons of easy fixes for Windows Update problems that do not require installing extra software.

I still say the photo slideshow isn't a test of the hard drive, at all. At the absolute best, it means is that the system can read the part of the drive where the photos are stored. I would definitely want to run real hardware tests before adding more data by downloading 3rd party stuff...

My primary concern would be ensuring the data is safe before worrying about a fix.

 

[riptides]

So boot it up without internet, and run a basic chkdsk on the hard drive. Or, get to a command prompt and a find string command, findstr for some basic text will exercise the hard drive. If it freezes on that, well you know what it is.

Help on both commands is available.

 

[JimRB]

Another thing to try from another workstation. Download the installs for CCleaner, Malwarebytes and Sophos virus scanner on a USB thumb drive. Run CCleaner to get rid of as much junk as possible. Empty your downloads folder or at least clean it up and then empty your deleted items folder. The next two scans will happen a bit faster if you cleanup first. Scan wih Malwarebytes which is pretty fast and will clean up some malware which might be freezing up your workstation. Last scan with the Sophos which may take a while. Or if you don't want Sophos you could try Avast.

There is a chance that it is not updates biting you but you picked up some malware or a virus. That said, I have had some workstations run pretty darn pokey when first turned on as they try to do some updates.

I have an old Lenovo laptop that would infuriate me with how slow it took to boot up. I installed a Samsung solid state drive and it has given that laptop a reprieve from the scrap heap. I like the Samsung as it has a data migration utility. I can plug the new hard drive into a USB hard drive caddy and move everything over to the new hard drive. Not a fast process over USB2. Again, cleanup before moving makes that data migration a quicker experience.

 

[RalphVa]

I suspect my ACER hard drive is going out because my keyboard has started to freeze or simply go to the black screen of death.

When this happens there is not even a flicker from the Hard Drive indicator.

All functions stop except I can insert a CD and hear it spin... but that is it and the fan.

Disconnect the AC Power or Internet make no noticeable change.

Windows 7 about 6 year old machine.

When it was brand new I took on a trip and the hard drive was replaced under warranty. Last week I took it to Washington with me and that is when it started acting up...

I'm typing fast before it crashes...

All anti virus scans show all is good... cleaned out the catche and run Google Chrome but it happens with Explorer 9 too.

Replaced hard drive on laptop once on warranty. Next, a few years later, the motherboard went out. I'd quit having to travel. Went to desktop and got Windows 10 with it. It's better than 7.

 

[ultrarunner]

I don't even pretend to know my way around computers...

I had been getting the "Important" message asking to update to Windows 10.

Have not seen that message since the problem started.

Ran the picture program all night with the Internet Plugged in but no Explorer or Chrome clicked... so having the Internet plugged in didn't seem to make a difference.

Did Defrag and Optimize the other day... even though it said it was not necessary... 40% full... use to have to do this at work with Windows 98 all the time on the weekends... especially the computers in the Doctor's Lounge.

It could be related to the Windows Update that I clicked in Washington.

In Oakland I have the slowest DSL because this is what is available.

In Washington I have the $300 a month Comcast Business Fiber with Web Hosting... some might remember it took years to get Internet to the house in Washington so I figured why not... plus the Wifi is great up there... no Wifi in Oakland.

At work I do solve the majority of computer issues during the week... kind of ironic... yesterday the main back office printer quit... it was a paper clip that was mangled deep in the machine and knock to rollers off their mounts.

Monday a nurses station had no connectivity... the wall jack was damaged... had a UPS for the work DSL need batteries... so the mechanical side of the keeping are network going plus things like cleaning and fan replacements...

 

[ultrarunner]

So I just clicked on the Upgrade to Windows 10 and it isn't free... $119 for Win 10 Home and $199 for Pro.

Cnet says it is free...

5 reasons not to upgrade to Windows 1 - CNET

I do like the photo viewer and the kids like to the DVD player function of Windows 7

Apparently these features go away?

 

[joefromga]

Just get a new 199$ laptop. Might want to replace your vcr and reel to reel while you're at it. Also, new phones have buttons instead of rotary dials.

 

[MossRoad]

At some point, Microsoft changed the value of the windows 7 update to windows 10 from suggested to critical. If your machine was set to automatically install critical updates, it will force windows 10 weather you want it or not. It could be doing this.

So, as others have suggested, what's more important to you right now? Saving the data that's on the machine? Putting in a new drive and reloading an operating system, then reloading any programs you want to use, and then try recovering data from the original drive? Getting a new machine and transferring any data you want from the old machine to the new machine?

You have to decide how you want to proceed.

For example, last week, one of my kids dropped her laptop. The hard drive took a shot, and the OS won't boot up anymore. Her laptop was 3 years old. How did she want to proceed?

To her, data recovery was most important. So I purchased a USB to IDE/SATA adapter and removed her suspect hard drive. I attached her suspect drive to the adapter and then to the USB port of my home computer. I was able to recover all over her data with the exception of just a few files that were corrupt. Then we transferred the recovered files from the home PC to an external USB drive, and then to a new laptop that we purchased. I'll get a new hard drive for the original laptop and do a $50 experiment to see if anything else on the laptop was damaged. If its OK, we'll have a spare laptop. If not, I'm out $50. For a three year old machine, its worth it for just surfing the internet to us. For a 6 year old machine, I don't think I'd put any money into it.

So back to your situation...

Do you want to put money into a 6 year old laptop? I'd say don't do it.

Do you want to recover the data off the 6 year old machine and transfer it to a new machine? If yes, try to copy it to a USB thumb drive and then to a different machine.

At the least, copy to the USB thumb drive and then, as others have suggested, try and repair the existing machine with no money, by running the diagnostics suggested and disabling windows updates, etc... and seeing if you can get it running smoothly with no investment but time.

Personally, I'd try the cheap route first (after backing up data to USB if you desire).

 

[aczlan]

Do you want to recover the data off the 6 year old machine and transfer it to a new machine? If yes, try to copy it to a USB thumb drive and then to a different machine.

At the least, copy to the USB thumb drive and then, as others have suggested, try and repair the existing machine with no money, by running the diagnostics suggested and disabling windows updates, etc... and seeing if you can get it running smoothly with no investment but time.

Personally, I'd try the cheap route first (after backing up data to USB if you desire).

Just a note on USB drives, a SanDisk 128GB USB drive can be had for around $30 on Amazon...

Aaron Z