Extremely Frustrating Laptop with no Warranty

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Joined: 5 Nov 2011
Gender: Female
Posts: 163
Location: Springfield

09 Dec 2011, 8:52 pm

I got an HP in September. For the last couple or so days, it has been saying something about a hard drive failure or something when I turn it on, and has been telling me to start the backup process or something. However, when I hit enter, I'm able to use my computer normally. I made a system repair disk when I first got this laptop, should I go ahead and use the disc now?

Also, I don't know if it's the connection here or the computer, but this computer is extremely slow, and it wasn't always like this. It takes a bare minimum of a couple minutes to perform every single task. For example, when trying to use the internet (I use Mozilla Firefox), it takes a long time to do any of the following: visit a website, log in or out of a site, scroll down, open an e-mail, type, etc. Sometimes the computer doesn't even "respond" at all, and I give up. I used to think it was just my building's internet connection, (I live in a cheap apartment that supposedly provides free WiFi) but within the past couple or so weeks, the slowness has spread to tasks that have nothing to do with the internet. For example, trying to open up a solitaire game or Word document.

What really pisses me off is some days I want to return it, but don't think I can.

Anyway, does anyone have any idea what could be going on with my laptop or how to fix it? I spent five hundred dollars I didn't have on it, and it has caused me more stress than relaxation.

P.S. My building was recently been taken over by a new company, and they "accidentally" shut off the WiFi for over a month. When they turned it back on, it was worse than in the past. Could that have anything to do with it?

To7m
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Joined: 26 Dec 2010
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09 Dec 2011, 8:57 pm

I had a few problems with my HP laptop that were getting worse, when I did a complete reset thing, it got better dunno if that would work

dmm1010
Toucan
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09 Dec 2011, 9:34 pm

Blue_and_Orange wrote:

I got an HP in September. For the last couple or so days, it has been saying something about a hard drive failure or something when I turn it on, and has been telling me to start the backup process or something. [...]

Anyway, does anyone have any idea what could be going on with my laptop or how to fix it? [...]

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but you need a new hard disk.

nat4200
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09 Dec 2011, 9:44 pm

Redacted

Last edited by nat4200 on 19 Apr 2012, 5:09 am, edited 1 time in total.

dmm1010
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09 Dec 2011, 9:54 pm

nat4200 wrote:

I've worked alot in tech support, this is not enough info to diagnose a problem. Please try to do one (or both if possible) of the following:

1. Take a picture (with say a camera phone) showing the error you see when you "turn it on"
2. Write the exact wording of the error including any numbers, details, etc. included

If possible please also describe what shows on the screen before after you see this error (ie. usually a computer will show a BIOS screen, then possible a boot loader menu asking if you want to start windows normally or use say safe mode or recovery, then show a windows logo, then windows starts but it won't be "responsive" until startup software finishes loading.

NB: You might want to also take the advice above and post it on one of the many forums that specialise in helping people with computer issues.

It's a SMART error. Say what you will about SMART, but when it tells you your hard disk is failing then it's time to replace it.

Blue_and_Orange
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09 Dec 2011, 9:57 pm

To7m wrote:

I had a few problems with my HP laptop that were getting worse, when I did a complete reset thing, it got better

dunno if that would work

How do I do that?

Blue_and_Orange
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09 Dec 2011, 9:59 pm

dmm1010 wrote:

Blue_and_Orange wrote:

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but you need a new hard disk.

Where do I get those?

Blue_and_Orange
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09 Dec 2011, 10:00 pm

dmm1010 wrote:

nat4200 wrote:

It's a SMART error. Say what you will about SMART, but when it tells you your hard disk is failing then it's time to replace it.

You're right.

Blue_and_Orange
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09 Dec 2011, 10:01 pm

nat4200 wrote:

Blue_and_Orange wrote:

it has been saying something about a hard drive failure or something when I turn it on

The only camera I have is my webcam, so I will have to write down everything it says next time.

Blue_and_Orange
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09 Dec 2011, 10:14 pm

Are disks and drives the same?

nat4200
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09 Dec 2011, 10:15 pm

Redacted

Last edited by nat4200 on 19 Apr 2012, 5:10 am, edited 1 time in total.

Blue_and_Orange
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09 Dec 2011, 10:21 pm

nat4200 wrote:

dmm1010 wrote:

nat4200 wrote:

It's a SMART error. Say what you will about SMART, but when it tells you your hard disk is failing then it's time to replace it.

@dmm1010:
Yes. SMART is good that way, if drive diagnostics detect and report drive failure via SMART, AND this is the error the OP is describing then I agree with you; however without the error message from the OP I think you risk taking the OPs use of "harddrive failure" too literally. Some users might see an error from checking the file system integrity and describe it this way for example.

It actually says it's from "SMART", so he's probably right. I never should have gotten this laptop. I can barely afford food on twenty dollars a week, much less a hard drive, disk, or whatever.

HalibutSandwich
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09 Dec 2011, 10:31 pm

Blue_and_Orange wrote:

It actually says it's from "SMART", so he's probably right. I never should have gotten this laptop. I can barely afford food on twenty dollars a week, much less a hard drive, disk, or whatever.

Install something like GSmartControl or Acronis Drive Monitor to find out what the SMART error actually is. But your symptoms match what happened to me a while ago. And after monitoring the drive with ADM it went from 1 relocated sector to 3, 5, 7, over 10 in an hour. Next morning wouldn't even boot. Mine was caused by heat which is common for laptops. Watch out if you replace the drive though. My laptop came with a 5400rpm drive and I replaced it with a 7200rpm. They run hotter so now if ambient temps get up around 30 deg ADM informs me the drive is overheating. Not looking forward to summer, considering I sleep in a caravan, lol.

Blue_and_Orange
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09 Dec 2011, 10:35 pm

HalibutSandwich wrote:

Blue_and_Orange wrote:

It actually says it's from "SMART", so he's probably right. I never should have gotten this laptop. I can barely afford food on twenty dollars a week, much less a hard drive, disk, or whatever.

From what I understand, it tells me everything when I turn on the computer. I'm not sure it's from overheating, unless the cord brick can cause it. Why do you sleep in a car?

dmm1010
Toucan
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09 Dec 2011, 10:42 pm

Blue_and_Orange wrote:

It actually says it's from "SMART", so he's probably right. I never should have gotten this laptop. I can barely afford food on twenty dollars a week, much less a hard drive, disk, or whatever.

Is the laptop perhaps still covered by warranty? A "hard disk" and a "hard drive" are, generally, the same thing. If you'd like, tell me the model number of the laptop and I'll try to determine what type of hard disk it requires.

HalibutSandwich
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09 Dec 2011, 10:46 pm

Blue_and_Orange wrote:

From what I understand, it tells me everything when I turn on the computer.

There are many types of SMART errors. If yours says the relocated sector count is increasing then the drive is dying. ADM is pretty much bloatware but gives reasonable explanations in english on what's going on with the drive.

Quote:

Why do you sleep in a car?

Not a car, a caravan. Americans call them trailers?? Us aussies carry firewood and rubbish in trailers.

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