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Hard drive replacement

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rivershiven
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Hard drive replacement

#130718

Postby rivershiven » April 8th, 2018, 1:00 pm

Hi,

Hoping for bit of advice please. Can find my around PC do usual housekeeping, backups etc but far far from being a techie! Now to my problem.....

Dell PC Inspiron 3847 - 4 years old running W10.Getting a bit sluggish so decided to reset using W10 Recovery option Reset This PC (keep my files). All went fine reinstalled some Apps that I use & back in business.

Couple of days on when I startup PC & logon, all seems o.k but within few minutes whole system freezes, I did restart but then Screen, I've not seen before, comes up saying harddrive failure with various other technical looking stuff. Manage to close down system ( not sure how I Got there!) restart & all back working. I am aware there is a problem that can't be ignored. So after doing up to date backup to external drive I run Dell diagnostics tool. Result Critical errors found..... Recommended next steps... Hardware failure.Replace Hard Drive... Your hard drive is operating outside of normal parameters and should be replaced. Various replacement options listed below & link to Dell store for spare parts.

Q1. Could doing Reset this PC have caused the problem & is there anything I can try before purchasing a new hard drive?

Q2. If answer to Q1 is replace hard drive how do identify spec of existing hard drive & identify the right one to buy & then once purchased is it a fairly straight forward task for me to switch the drives?

Thanks for your time.

RS

mc2fool
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130726

Postby mc2fool » April 8th, 2018, 1:36 pm

rivershiven wrote:Q1. Could doing Reset this PC have caused the problem & is there anything I can try before purchasing a new hard drive?

No, it's a hardware problem and I recommend switching off and not using it, as once disks start to go they get increasingly worse to the point of total failure, and you'll want to avoid that just in case you have difficulty restoring your backups and need to get to the failing disk one last time.

Q2. If answer to Q1 is replace hard drive how do identify spec of existing hard drive & identify the right one to buy & then once purchased is it a fairly straight forward task for me to switch the drives?

Some googling with the exact model number should do it (not just 3847, as that may have different sub-models with varying sizes of HDD). On a quick search there seems to be plenty of videos on how to open up that model, here's just one (I haven't watched it all the way through) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aSPTz2dhSc

I really recommend you consider replacing your HDD with a solid state drive (SSD); the performance difference will astound you!

Now, large SSDs are pretty expensive, and if you've got, say, a 1TB HDD now and are using a lot of it you may cough and splutter at the price of replacing it with an SSD, but then what you could do (assuming the Dell has the space) is put in a smaller (and much cheaper) SSD for Windows, say a 240GB one, and add a 1TB HDD as a second drive for your "big" data (music, photos, videos, etc).

If you've got a big HDD and you're not using most of it then you can just replace it with a smaller (and more affordable) SSD. Again, there seems to be a fair number of videos around, here's one (that I also haven't watched in full!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk-5KuTSoUs

There are also hybrids https://www.howtogeek.com/195262/hybrid ... of-an-ssd/

Breelander
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130728

Postby Breelander » April 8th, 2018, 1:47 pm

rivershiven wrote:Q2. If answer to Q1 is replace hard drive how do identify spec of existing hard drive & identify the right one to buy & then once purchased is it a fairly straight forward task for me to switch the drives?


Enter your Service Tag here and it will tell you exactly what the original build configuration was for your particular PC.
http://www.dell.com/support/home/uk/en/ ... figuration

Any similar spec 3.5" HDD should work and be an easy swap. If you go for an SDD then unless it's a 3.5" drive like your original HDD then you may also need an adapter frame to fit it.
Last edited by Breelander on April 8th, 2018, 1:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Itsallaguess
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130729

Postby Itsallaguess » April 8th, 2018, 1:49 pm

Crucial 250GB SSD here for £64 delivered - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0764WCXCV

The 500GB version is currently £107 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0784SLQM6

1TB and 2TB options are also available on the above links.

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

Breelander
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130731

Postby Breelander » April 8th, 2018, 1:57 pm

Itsallaguess wrote:Crucial 250GB SSD here for £64 delivered ... The 500GB version is currently £107 ...


Both those are 2.5", so you'd also need an adapter frame like this...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inateck-Intern ... B01EGZWHRI

rivershiven
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130751

Postby rivershiven » April 8th, 2018, 3:14 pm

Many thanks to all for replies, much appreciated. I'll read over fully, check links etc tomorrow as we have to go out soon. Will report back when I've decided next step or have any follow up questions.

Thanks

RS

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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130762

Postby stewamax » April 8th, 2018, 3:40 pm

Just to check your comment "So after doing up to date backup to external drive...", have you backed up with something that allows the entire PC (a system image) to be recovered, not just your own files?

Itsallaguess
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130763

Postby Itsallaguess » April 8th, 2018, 3:50 pm

Breelander wrote:
Itsallaguess wrote:
Crucial 250GB SSD here for £64 delivered ... The 500GB version is currently £107 ...


Both those are 2.5", so you'd also need an adapter frame like this...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inateck-Intern ... B01EGZWHRI


I've got to be honest and say that with the last two SSD's that I've installed, I've tended to be a bit more cavalier with my mounting methods.

These things are very light, have no moving parts, and don't get very hot if there's any sort of stand off or ventilation-holes around the mounting position.

I say 'mounting position' as though there's been one, but so long as I've been able to get a couple of tie-wraps (https://tinyurl.com/yasmv3ar) around them, and they're securely tied in place, I've managed to save myself the cost of a 3.5" to 2.5" adaptor.

Many people use a couple of bits of sticky-back velcro, but I prefer my tie-wrap method as it's a little less sticky....

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

mc2fool
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130771

Postby mc2fool » April 8th, 2018, 4:05 pm

Itsallaguess wrote:I say 'mounting position' as though there's been one, but so long as I've been able to get a couple of tie-wraps (https://tinyurl.com/yasmv3ar) ...

Hmmm ... a tinyurl that routes through ad.doubleclick.net* ... who are you working for? Google or Cambridge Analytica? :D

(* noticed 'cos it's blocked by my hosts file ;))

Itsallaguess
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130774

Postby Itsallaguess » April 8th, 2018, 4:18 pm

mc2fool wrote:
Itsallaguess wrote:
I say 'mounting position' as though there's been one, but so long as I've been able to get a couple of tie-wraps (https://tinyurl.com/yasmv3ar) ...


Hmmm ... a tinyurl that routes through ad.doubleclick.net* ... who are you working for? Google or Cambridge Analytica? :D

(* noticed 'cos it's blocked by my hosts file ;))


Hmmm... very odd indeed.

There's nothing wrong with the original link, which is a straight link to some Wilko tie-wraps -

http://www.wilko.com/electrical-accesso ... vt/0255382

What does seem to be odd, though, is that putting the above link into TinyURL -

https://tinyurl.com/

Gives the same result as my original link -

https://tinyurl.com/yasmv3ar

But when we visit that TinyURL link, it does seem to add some affiliation bits at the end of the Wilko link.

That's not something I've ever seen before, and have no explanation for it. I'm all ears if you've got any ideas yourself?

Is there a chance that the TinyURL website has been hacked to add someone's affiliation details after certain website links?

Thanks for the heads-up btw - I do always check that the TinyURL links go to where I wanted to post about, but I certainly didn't see the odd results in this instance, other than the fact that the Wilko tie-wrap page did work when previewing my post.

Hopefully the above defence verifies this position - ie. the TinyURL website itself seems to have caused this issue, and it's nothing underhand on my part?

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

mc2fool
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130777

Postby mc2fool » April 8th, 2018, 4:49 pm

Itsallaguess wrote:Gives the same result as my original link -

https://tinyurl.com/yasmv3ar

But when we visit that TinyURL link, it does seem to add some affiliation bits at the end of the Wilko link.

That is your original link (if you want a different one bung a "#" or similar on the end of the long URL to make tiny). It's not just stuff at the end of the Wilko link, the tinyurl url goes to the following redirection chain...

Code: Select all

https://tinyurl.com/yasmv3ar

http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=2400&id=271445&clickref=jfqz9aye380002cl04t1g&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wilko.com%2Felectrical-accessories%2Fcore-electrics-cable-ties-clear-20pk%2Finvt%2F0255382

http://www.zenaps.com/rclick.php?mid=2400&c_len=2592000&c_ts=1523202194&c_cnt=271445%7C0%7C%7C1523202194%7Cjfqz9aye380002cl04t1g%7Caw%7C0&ir=8c9bd2b0-3b43-11e8-960b-692d0f23bc4a&pr=https%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fddm%2Fclk%2F404591701%3B204784210%3Bu%3Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.wilko.com%2Felectrical-accessories%2Fcore-electrics-cable-ties-clear-20pk%2Finvt%2F0255382%3Futm_medium%3Daffiliate%26utm_campaign%3DDiscount%2BCode%26utm_source%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.viglink.com%26utm_content%3D0%26utm_term%3D271445%26awc%3D2400_1523202194_dfd8163493f2c1b578d6de4990e1ee72&bId=HLEX_5aca2df8984627.99968164&cookie=1&c_d=zenaps.com

https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/404591701;204784210;u?http://www.wilko.com/electrical-accessories/core-electrics-cable-ties-clear-20pk/invt/0255382?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Discount+Code&utm_source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.viglink.com&utm_content=0&utm_term=271445&awc=2400_1523200945_10a8f4798d89b0e9c3743be9fb3955f3

http://www.wilko.com/electrical-accessories/core-electrics-cable-ties-clear-20pk/invt/0255382?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Discount+Code&utm_source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.viglink.com&utm_content=0&utm_term=271445&awc=2400_1523202194_dfd8163493f2c1b578d6de4990e1ee72

Although not if you use the preview and follow the link within that, https://preview.tinyurl.com/yasmv3ar

That's not something I've ever seen before, and have no explanation for it. I'm all ears if you've got any ideas yourself?
:
Hopefully the above defence verifies this position - ie. the TinyURL website itself seems to have caused this issue, and it's nothing underhand on my part?

I've also not seen it before, and my first thought was that you'd done a search and picked up a "shopping" link and copied and pasted that without noticing, however on a bit of experimentation it seems that tinyurl does it with all links to Wilko (well, all of the few I tried) -- but not, as far as my limited testing went, to any other site, which is very curious indeed.....................

Anyway, sorry, quite OT.

PrincessB
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130811

Postby PrincessB » April 8th, 2018, 8:17 pm

For those of us on a budget,

There is still a tendency to advise a small SSD and a large conventional hard drive.

I still advocate that for most people a SSHD is a nice alternative as it offers a useful performance increase along with stacks of storage and only costs a few pounds more than a standard replacement drive.

Seagate have been doing these drives for ages - The current brand name is Firecuda.

For an older system a simple clone of the existing drive onto a the accelerated new one will be sufficicient.

Amazon are selling the 1TB 3.5" unit for £46.

B.

rivershiven
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130812

Postby rivershiven » April 8th, 2018, 8:17 pm

stewamax wrote:Just to check your comment "So after doing up to date backup to external drive...", have you backed up with something that allows the entire PC (a system image) to be recovered, not just your own files?


Hi,

Back home now but still need to look into possible hard drive replacement & check out links in posts etc. However whilst out I had been thinking about what happens next when/if I successfully install a new hard drive and how I get new hard drive to mirror what I have now. I realised I would need to ask for further advice specifically relating to this. Comments above have prompted me to start asking those questions this evening.

I have made system image back up using Macrium reflect Free. I also used Create Rescue Media Wizard & Have a CD which I then tested that I could boot from. All seems to work o.k.

Never having had hard drive failure before thankfully I've not previously had to go any further. Is this sufficient at this stage to think once new hard drive is installed I can take next step in getting back to a fully functioning PC?

Whenever I've had a new PC previously the operating system has already been installed & setting up has been fairly easy. What I don't have any idea to do is how to get what I have into a new blank hard drive. I know Macrium has a Redeploy feature which I have assumed was for this situation. After that I at this stage don't know how that works or what a PC screen looks like when your turn it on with no operating system installed.

Thanks for your time. Much appreciated.

RS

mc2fool
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130819

Postby mc2fool » April 8th, 2018, 9:01 pm

rivershiven wrote:I have made system image back up using Macrium reflect Free. I also used Create Rescue Media Wizard & Have a CD which I then tested that I could boot from. All seems to work o.k.

Never having had hard drive failure before thankfully I've not previously had to go any further. Is this sufficient at this stage to think once new hard drive is installed I can take next step in getting back to a fully functioning PC?

Yes, perfect! :)

I had exactly the same situation with my laptop a few months back. I do Macrium Reflect weekly full + daily differential system images to a NAS drive and then, one day, the HDD went belly up.

So I pulled out the (1TB) HDD, plugged in a new (240GB) SSD I bought from the local PC World (didn't want to wait for delivery), booted from the Macrium Rescue Media CD I'd made a while ago and told it to restore the latest full+differential, and went to bed. In the morning I just rebooted normally (now from the SSD) and it all worked ... and fast! :D

rivershiven
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130842

Postby rivershiven » April 9th, 2018, 7:39 am

Thanks for reassurance MC2.

I'll decide what hard drive to order & then come back with further questions as to how to proceed after it is installed. Couple of quick questions now though that occurred to me during the night. Probably silly but this whole process makes me a bit nervous...

Will new hard drive automatically recognise existing DVD drive, printer (I can download drivers if required) wireless/hardware connection to router? In short will existing setup be recognised.

I use Outlook & have various emails saved in archive folders. Most are no longer desperately required but I would like to be able to access some. Will these be available to me after I restore?

Thanks for your patience.

RS

mc2fool
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130857

Postby mc2fool » April 9th, 2018, 9:06 am

The Macrium Reflect system image backup you've taken is exactly that, an image of the system. You'll have exactly what you had when the backup was taken.

rivershiven
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130858

Postby rivershiven » April 9th, 2018, 9:16 am

Thanks. I'll order hard drive now so you'll have peace from me until it arrives & I attempt to move forward!

RS

mc2fool
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130883

Postby mc2fool » April 9th, 2018, 11:41 am

rivershiven wrote:Thanks. I'll order hard drive now so you'll have peace from me until it arrives & I attempt to move forward!

Ok. BTW, excuse if it's a statement of the bleedin' obvious, but if you decide to go for a smaller-than-your-current-HDD SSD that's ok as long as your usage will fit on it. E.g. if you have a 1TB HDD that you've used 300GB of, you'll need at least an SSD of that much (and then some), so a 500GB one will do but a 240GB one won't... ;)

rivershiven
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#130894

Postby rivershiven » April 9th, 2018, 12:30 pm

mc2fool wrote:
rivershiven wrote: BTW, excuse if it's a statement of the bleedin' obvious, but if you decide to go for a smaller-than-your-current-HDD SSD that's ok as long as your usage will fit on it. E.g. if you have a 1TB HDD that you've used 300GB of, you'll need at least an SSD of that much (and then some), so a 500GB one will do but a 240GB one won't..


Please continue to state what is the bleedin' obvious as on this topic I'm sure yours & mine vary greatly. Current drive useage is only 150gb & I have gone for 500gb SDD.

So much to think about & without this fanatastic resource I'd be up the proverbial creek!

RS

rivershiven
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Re: Hard drive replacement

#131451

Postby rivershiven » April 11th, 2018, 2:00 pm

mc2fool wrote:
rivershiven wrote:I have made system image back up using Macrium reflect Free. I also used Create Rescue Media Wizard & Have a CD which I then tested that I could boot from. All seems to work o.k.

I had exactly the same situation with my laptop a few months back. I do Macrium Reflect weekly full + daily differential system images to a NAS drive and then, one day, the HDD went belly up.

So I pulled out the (1TB) HDD, plugged in a new (240GB) SSD I bought from the local PC World (didn't want to wait for delivery), booted from the Macrium Rescue Media CD I'd made a while ago and told it to restore the latest full+differential, and went to bed. In the morning I just rebooted normally (now from the SSD) and it all worked ... and fast! :D


Still waiting for delivery of new SSD. But another, hopefully quick, question please.

When I checked Recovery CD worked I did that from within Windows by doing restart whilst holding shift key & it was clear on screen how to startup from the DVD/CD drive. What I am unsure about is how I do that after replacing hard drive & on restarting the PC from full power down. I know currently if I turn on PC & hold F2 key I get various screens including BIOS. What is not clear to me is will I have to do something here I.e find option to startup from CD or is there something else I'll have to do?

All very basic stuff I guess but at present not for me.

Thanks

RS


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