Worth Replacing Laptop Hard Drive?

[ultrarunner]

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.

 

[newbury]

If you've a good backup and can easily afford a $300 machine I'd say no.

My 3yr old 11" Acer hard drive died in early January, previous experience showed replacing hard drive was not cost effective anymore.

Bought the present HP 15.5" notebook w/ 1TB HD, 6GB Ram, DVD R/W for like $300.

/edit - note "list" was $490 but it went on sale at staples for $300.

 

[RoyJackson]

Acer laptops are pretty inexpensive, relatively speaking. If you can do the work yourself, it might be worthwhile. Repair (including parts) should not, IMHO, exceed to cost of a replacement laptop.
Also, you'll have to reload all your applications, including the OS.

Any idea how you'll recover the data on your failing HD?

 

[ultrarunner]

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!

 

[Mendonsy]

IF it is in fact the disk drive that is bad then maybe it would be worth doing, but there are other things that could be the cause (most of them built into the motherboard). The big issue in replacing a laptop hard drive is getting everything moved from the original drive to a new one. You might be able to clone the existing drive, but at best that is a PAIN to do! More likely it will require a complete re-install of everything because a failure during the clone operation would screw up the new drive.

 

[Coyote machine]

Kill it, buy new whatever, start over from scratch. Do it before your drive locks up for good.

 

[ultrarunner]

Are there better laptops when it comes to durability?

I know law enforcement and building inspectors use mil grade laptops... but I imagine they would be costly?

Google Chrome Restore Page feature does let me go to a post in process and pick up where I left off.

 

[zzvyb6]

My laptop showed similar symptoms. Turns out the battery was going bad. Even though the charge fraction was staying over 50%, a new battery (ebay) completely solved my problem. Charge shows 100% all the time when hooked up to A/C power. The laptops usually run off the battery all the time, with A/C charging going on continually. So when the battery STB, so do all the functional parts.

 

[oosik]

I've had Dell, HP and now Apple. All I can say is when its their time - they WILL go. I've had the best luck with this Apple. Only down side - many apps are not Apple compatable - but its getting better.

Another advantage - I'm using an iMac - desktop computer. I think a notebook or laptop can be subject to a lot more bumps, knocks, jarring etc.

I just got off the Dell mil grade laptop site. To configure a mid-point(half way between low end and top of the line) laptop - $4995. I think I can learn to live with my Apple.

From a quick look see at the Dell site - mil grade is superior resistance to shock, water, dust, sand, moisture but still uses the same internal components.

 

[newbury]

Are there better laptops when it comes to durability?

I know law enforcement and building inspectors use mil grade laptops... but I imagine they would be costly?

Google Chrome Restore Page feature does let me go to a post in process and pick up where I left off.

You pays your money you take your choice.

I used to run about 4 desktops at home, I'm a tech geek and had programs I used at work which required MIPS. And they all ran on mil grade laptops. About 10 years ago I started transitioning to laptops as I went into retirement and laptops got better. Now a basic laptop runs my GIS software fine.

The difference between a mil grade laptop and a run of the mill laptop is usually how far you can drop it, how wet you can get it. how dirty you can get it and cost.

I used to have a "stable" of about 30 Panasonic Toughbooks, used for training courses. We'd take them out in the cold and rain. They cost about $5,000 each. My $300 laptop PLUS a Ziploc Big Bag (at 5 for $6) is just as waterproof, or better.

I can depend on getting a laptop for $300, make good backups and swap out machines every once and a while.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

Solid state is the way to go for a hard drive, we buy HP, take the standard drive out and install hard drive and reload the operating system. HP is REAL good with there support. On there business notebooks anyway. PC's we have been getting have been coming with the operating system discs and the driver recovery discs. Most of the time the hardest part of replacing a hard drive is finding the driver disc for the PC. If you have the original install discs that came with your PC, for $40 i would replace the hard drive. Chances are there is a U tube video that will walk you through it. If you don't have the original install discs and have not reloaded an operating system and drivers, buy a new one IMO. It can be done and I have done it with out the original install disc, but you will need another working PC with internet access and a whole bunch of patience. I do this stuff all day long and if I don't have a set of original install discs I'll pitch the PC.
There is different ways to get the data off of the old drive but if it fails completely the data is gone! So, back up your data now!
There are tests in the bios that will test the computer memory and the hard drive. I think if you keep tapping f10 while it is booting that will get you into the BIOs and you can run the tests google it for your notebook. It is an easy test. Some oems have a program that will also test the computer battery. HP does anyway. Acer may have it also.

 

[ustmd]

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.

If it is a HD problem, A new laptop hard drive will run you about $50

Amazon.com: Seagate 5GB Barracuda Sata 6GB/s 128MB Cache 2.5-Inch 7mm Internal Bare/OEM Hard Drive (ST5LM): Computers & Accessories

I just installed this one for my MIL.

If you can make a clone of your existing HD, replacing it is not difficult.




On the other hand, a 6 years ACER laptop is getting a little long in the tooth.

 

[Code54]

As Newbury stated, the Mil Spec/grade is just the cases and outside type of protection. I used a mil spec machine for a few years and they are sometimes a pain to type on because it is water resistant/proof - the keys are not always smooth and they needed PUSHED to type. The inside was the same processor and components as was available on normal machines at the time. For normal home use I can't find a need for one.

 

[OKnewguy]

Now days, many people should probably be running chromebooks. If all your are doing is checking email and web surfing, they cant be beat. I have turned on a few people to them (same friends and family I have always provided tech support for) These things are inexpensive, secure and blazing fast. There really is not viruses and if something gets messed up, you can whipe them (powerwash) and be back up and running in a few minutes.
They do not running any windows programs, but try running just in your chrome browser, and chrome add ons, to see if you really need anything else.
Dave

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Are there better laptops when it comes to durability?

Emphatically YES!

Acer is bottom feeder. Go to a business grade Dell or HP and you have a FAR better machine.


But do you need that level of performance and reliability? Only you can answer that. You have gotten 6 years out of the Acer. Maybe what you need is another one. I have to agree that fixing a 6 year old bottom feeder might not be the best investment.

As far as recovering your old data, it may be too late. OR, it might be simple. If it were me, I'd buy a new laptop with a bigger hard drive, and then get a $5 adapter to connect the old drive via USB, then try to copy over all the data. If you have expensive programs installed (like MS Office), you'll want to investigate the process for moving them to a new laptop. It can usually be done, if you follow the manufacturer's instructions.

 

[ultrarunner]

Lots of good advice...

I pulled the battery and the memory to reseat... also, everything looked real clean as far as dust.

Was typing my reply and it froze.

There's info on the web about Windows 7 locking up...

I did do some upgrades while in Washington... have not gone to Windows 10... maybe that would help?

The only thing I have noticed is the Hard Drive indicator stops when the screen freezes and nothing short of holding down the power switch works.

I'm thinking my Acer Aspire doesn't like to travel??? although I have very careful and it has a nice padded case.

Never bothered with the costly programs on this one... do have some pictures... after 6 years my 250 GB is 40% full...

It's been 21 minutes as I push the send key.

 

[aczlan]

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.

You can also go to the control panel, open Windows Update and see when it last checked for and installed updates.

Aaron Z

 

[RNeumann]

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). So, yes, you can install a new hard drive on a 6 year old $199 machine. You can also put a new motor in a 1983 Ford Ranger with 285,000 miles (this is the scientific equivalent -GOOGLE IT!!) on the transmission and drivetrain. Doable.... yes. The best use of resources .... maybe not.

 

[ultrarunner]

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!

 

[riptides]

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!

Sounds like a Windows or Application update is having an issue.

When is the last time you created a System Restore point?

And you do have a workable backup, right?