Computer Questions

[greg]

Yeah, I know... I should probably know this stuff, but I just don't much when it comes to hardware-related issues.

The internal hard drive on my Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop is dying, apparently. I might need to replace it.

Questions:
1. Will any internal hard drive work (how do i know which one to buy)? Something like this would be nice:
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Intellipower-Desktop-WD10EARS/dp/B002WB2KFI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277862429&sr=1-1
because it has 1 TB, and it would be usable without always having to hook up my 1 TB external hard drive when I want access to all of my files.

2. If I changed the hard drive, do I have to reinstall an operating system, or is the operating system kind-of "built in" to the computer?
(if my friends knew i was asking this, they'd laugh) 

3. Let's say I'm able to get a 1 TB internal hard drive to work for my laptop. That means I wouldn't really need my second external hard drive. What should I do with it to get my $80 back?...

[Daverz]

1. No, you need a 2.5" laptop drive.  Take a look at the dimensions on that one.  It ain't gonna fit. Check what's involved in reinstalling a drive in your model first.

2. Did you keep any CDs that came with the laptop?  You'll need them to reinstall the OS from those, or you'll need to buy or download new OS installation CDs.

[Coopmv]

Yeah, I know... I should probably know this stuff, but I just don't much when it comes to hardware-related issues.

The internal hard drive on my Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop is dying, apparently. I might need to replace it.

Questions:
1. Will any internal hard drive work (how do i know which one to buy)? Something like this would be nice:
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Intellipower-Desktop-WD10EARS/dp/B002WB2KFI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277862429&sr=1-1
because it has 1 TB, and it would be usable without always having to hook up my 1 TB external hard drive when I want access to all of my files.

2. If I changed the hard drive, do I have to reinstall an operating system, or is the operating system kind-of "built in" to the computer?
(if my friends knew i was asking this, they'd laugh) 

3. Let's say I'm able to get a 1 TB internal hard drive to work for my laptop. That means I wouldn't really need my second external hard drive. What should I do with it to get my $80 back?...

It is probably more economically feasible for you to get a new laptop given how much latop prices have come down instead of trying to get a new internal HD to work with a relatively slow processor.  Just my 2 cents ...

[Scarpia]

Yeah, I know... I should probably know this stuff, but I just don't much when it comes to hardware-related issues.

The internal hard drive on my Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop is dying, apparently. I might need to replace it.

Probably your hard drives comes out with one screw.  You can google the part number and find out vital information, such as interface type (EIDE, SATA, etc).   Then you need to order a drive with compatible specifications.  Alternately, you can go on Dell's web site and type in your Unit serial number and order a new drive from them. 

The HD on my 6 month old Lenovo Thinkpad died, they sent me a new one for free but I checked and found that an identical 250 GB hard drive cost only $50 on Amazon.    I think 500 GB is the biggest that typically fits in that 2.5" form factor.   Multiple external drives are best for storage of large quantities of audio or video media.

[greg]

Thanks for the info, everyone.
I probably won't do anything very soon, since I'll mainly be using my other computer. Also, I have to make sure this isn't the problem: sounds weird, but I've read someone having the click of death for a while, but when they set it on a level surface, they don't have a problem any more and it's fine. I just did that a couple of days ago, and left it on for over 6 1/2 hours. I left (6 hours in) and came back. It did freeze up, but before that, the last few times it did, it wouldn't last 30 minutes. So, I'll just have to see with that...

If it is just a regular case of a hard drive dying and I have to replace it, I guess I'll find out from Dell about the hard drive. Then, if I am going to be making enough money, I'll consider buying Windows 7. I'm not even sure my computer came with a disc for Vista (don't remember it and can't find it), even though I ordered it  from Dell.

[Scarpia]

Thanks for the info, everyone.
I probably won't do anything very soon, since I'll mainly be using my other computer. Also, I have to make sure this isn't the problem: sounds weird, but I've read someone having the click of death for a while, but when they set it on a level surface, they don't have a problem any more and it's fine. I just did that a couple of days ago, and left it on for over 6 1/2 hours. I left (6 hours in) and came back. It did freeze up, but before that, the last few times it did, it wouldn't last 30 minutes. So, I'll just have to see with that...

If it is just a regular case of a hard drive dying and I have to replace it, I guess I'll find out from Dell about the hard drive. Then, if I am going to be making enough money, I'll consider buying Windows 7. I'm not even sure my computer came with a disc for Vista (don't remember it and can't find it), even though I ordered it  from Dell.

If your hard drive fails the computer will not typically freeze with no warning.  It will probably display a message indicating the failure (mine did).  What you are describing sounds more typical of a problem with a memory chip, or another processor or motherboard failure.  You can go into your setup utility and do a non-destructive test on your hard disk.  It will basically try to read every sector from the disk and report if there were any failures.  If you disk passes that, it is probably ok.

Sometimes computer makers save money by not sending you installation CDs.  In that case you should have the right to request them (you own a license for the OS) and should only have to pay cost associated with shipping or the media.  I wouldn't waste any money upgrading to Windows 7, I have found no advantage over Vista, and some liabilities (i.e., even more likely that legacy software will fail to install or run properly).

[drogulus]

     Does your computer have a restore partition instead of a disc? If you don't know, open My Computer and look:



     See, mine has an internal HD and 2 externals. It originally had a D partition with the restore files but I wiped that out when I DL'd Windows 7. Instead I have a system image on one of the externals.

     If you have an external drive you can do a backup to that (sys. image plus backup of programs and data).

     Then when you get a new drive (if your drive fails the test and you have to replace it) you can either restore to the new drive or start fresh with Windows 7 and restore your programs and data on the new OS. If Vista works well for you go ahead with that.

     

[drogulus]

    Another possibility is that Dell uses a ghost partition that won't show up ('cause it's hidden). To find out open Administrative Services > Computer Management > Disk Management. Now you'll see a hidden partition. To access it you boot into recovery mode.

[Scarpia]

     Does your computer have a restore partition instead of a disc? If you don't know, open My Computer and look:

I don't think Dell's work that way.  I have a Lenovo with one of those install partitions, and if you double-click the partition it runs an application which allows you to copy it to DVD.  I never did, and to request recovery discs when my drive died.  If the disc and/or processor is going south, this may not be the time to made recovery images, they might end up being corrupted.

[drogulus]

I don't think Dell's work that way.  I have a Lenovo with one of those install partitions, and if you double-click the partition it runs an application which allows you to copy it to DVD.  I never did, and to request recovery discs when my drive died.  If the disc and/or processor is going south, this may not be the time to made recovery images, they might end up being corrupted.

      I think the Dell laptops have a partition for restoring to factory settings. Here's what Dell support says.

[Scarpia]

      I think the Dell laptops have a partition for restoring to factory settings. Here's what Dell support says.

My Dell Optiplex doesn't, as far as I know, but it has XP, not Vista.

[drogulus]

http://www.youtube.com/v/Xg_EhfPcZX4

[greg]

If your hard drive fails the computer will not typically freeze with no warning.  It will probably display a message indicating the failure (mine did).  What you are describing sounds more typical of a problem with a memory chip, or another processor or motherboard failure.  You can go into your setup utility and do a non-destructive test on your hard disk.  It will basically try to read every sector from the disk and report if there were any failures.  If you disk passes that, it is probably ok.

Sometimes computer makers save money by not sending you installation CDs.  In that case you should have the right to request them (you own a license for the OS) and should only have to pay cost associated with shipping or the media.  I wouldn't waste any money upgrading to Windows 7, I have found no advantage over Vista, and some liabilities (i.e., even more likely that legacy software will fail to install or run properly).

After I shut it down, it displays some sort of scanning thing before when it starts up again, though that's probably not what you're talking about.

So... now, my other computer is having the same problem. It doesn't make a click, but it just freezes up randomly, even though it never used to do that. That's too much of a coincidence, so I'm going to have to make sure it's not because of something I downloaded.

[Scarpia]

After I shut it down, it displays some sort of scanning thing before when it starts up again, though that's probably not what you're talking about.

So... now, my other computer is having the same problem. It doesn't make a click, but it just freezes up randomly, even though it never used to do that. That's too much of a coincidence, so I'm going to have to make sure it's not because of something I downloaded.

The scanning thing may be because your computer shut down without closing all of the disc partitions, so it needs to scan them and correct any inconsistencies before starting.

The more-or-less definitive test for disk issue is to boot to setup (typically there is a function key that must be pressed and/or held down as the computer is booted) then running a nondestructive disk diagnostic program.  If it is spreading to different computers a virus sounds like a likely explanation.

[greg]

Well, after running my laptop for a few hours both today and yesterday, while sitting it upright on a desk, there have been absolutely no problems with clicking or freezing.
Also, I got the program I needed installed on it, and it works. I just had to get a different version.

My guess at what caused this problem was the first version of the software I had to torrent- and I had to torrent it because even though I already had it (it's one of those things I get for free by going to a school), I uninstalled it even though I shouldn't have (and I'm not sure I could get my teacher to let me borrow the copy again, since I graduated). And I need it because a company needs me to help out with the development of their software! 

Even though I hadn't seen any comments about the torrent freezing up anyone's system, this is the only new thing I have transferred between my two computers- thus, the prime suspect.

Big thanks for the help, everyone! If I start having more problems, I'll try out some of the stuff mentioned here.

[Lethevich]

Can this function as a general nerd thread?

I am using Windows 7 in a prolonged way ("living" with it) for the first time, and it's making me rage. Why must every Windows update since XP (and in some cases 2k) make the OS less user-friendly, or at the least, less convenient to those who know what they want to do and how to do it.

Even given that W7 was simply a (multi billion dollar) Vista fix, it has none the less managed to incorporate a whole load of extremely annoying features of its own. I really don't like the way that when you right click a menu bar tab to close it, you must move the cursor over the menu bar because the menu no longer overlaps the bar 1 pixel above the cursor - it begins a pixel above it no matter where on the bar you click the cursor. It's clunky, man.

I hate that they have removed Quick Launch (one of the best features of Windows) to force people to use their shitty Appleised start menu. Windows Live Messenger won't even minimise to the taskbar (it remains open all the time - meaning when you click it to get your contacts list it opens yet another needless bar entry duplicate) that can easily be fixed via a workaround (setting Messenger to Vista compatability mode), but the very fact that it requires a workaround so just to not be obnoxious and in the way all the time is crazy.

I used to like Microsoft, as I was aware that no matter how large the corporation, they were producing products which they were trying to make as convenient as possible, and constantly smoothing out problems (sometimes failing, but always trying) with each version.

Since Vista and W7 now I just see them as assholes trying to create gimmicks and failing horribly. It is a great example of these "solutions" media companies feel the need to provide to problems that they have made up. Like how Windows Explorer is somehow not the cataloguing system we should all be using, instead each app requires its own laboriously created "media library". Windows seems to be trying to do this, bizarrely undermining its own explorer.exe application, and beautifully elegant folder tree system. Their new start menu/search hybrid is nasty. It doesn't even work as it should, as I constantly have to direct it towards exes even when the filename is identical to what I typed.

A final rage after two days of use - I've only just been able to edit my files. Until this afternoon the OS has continually gave me a red logo error (like "in use", but not saying that) for no reason I could discern. I checked task manager and there was nothing using the files. It turns out that Windows seemed to have been performing the most staggeringly slow and low-level unannounced indexing of all my files which took that long to resolve, without actually asking or informing me. I'm sure MS thought that in some way this was going to "convenience" me at some point in the future, but I'd like to decide for myself as I am better placed to know (any PC user would be with moderate experience, but if they are treated like morons by their OS they will never learn anything).

At least I didn't have admin permission problems this time like I did in Vista, but I guess I knew how to remove them this time round.

Edit: As the default menu bar is of brick shithouse proportions, I also do not know why they can't stack taskbar icons two high, as they have done with the clock with the date underneath it.

[greg]

I hate that they have removed Quick Launch (one of the best features of Windows) to force people to use their shitty Appleised start menu.

Looks like I won't be getting Windows 7 then.

[greg]

Oh, wait... after a quick search, it just looks like Quick Launch is disabled. I guess you can enable it.

[Lethevich]

Ooh, a friend assured me it just wasn't there - I'll look into it, thanks!

Another gripe (I am such a grouch) - I am not the only person who pressed Winkey+R to get the nice small Run box to type something out before copying and pasting it somewhere - it functioned like notepad, but was slightly faster to reach - like a virtual post-it.

This is another thing the new menu kills, as it takes up more space on the screen (so if I as copying down something from an image file, for example, in the bottom left half of the screen it will be covered - not to mention that whatever you begin to type Windows immediately begins to search for. *sigh*

[Scarpia]

If you haven't watched this you should

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpOvzGiheOM

Windows 7 seems worse than Vista to me.  The general theme that it makes it more difficult to do anything other than what it thinks you want to do is taken to the next level in Windows 7.  Plus, the memory consumed by background processes that, I have no idea what they are for, has grown enormously.  I don't see that they have added any truly useful features since Windows 2000.