How to replace a hard drive
Discussion
Sorry to drop this boring subject on you but I am having a nightmare with my p.c. keep shutting down.
I have been told that it stands a good chance my hard drive is knackered .
How difficult is it to change one of these , is it something I can do myself or is it advisable to get it done professionally.
I know how to reinstall all the software etc and was wondering if it was as simple as disconnecting the old one, plugging in a new one and reinstalling the software.
I have been told that it stands a good chance my hard drive is knackered .
How difficult is it to change one of these , is it something I can do myself or is it advisable to get it done professionally.
I know how to reinstall all the software etc and was wondering if it was as simple as disconnecting the old one, plugging in a new one and reinstalling the software.
No it's not that simple, the primary HDD has 'boot up' files on it. Those won't be present on a new drive.
This does not sound like HDD failure far more likely to be overheating motherboard or a software glitch. First thing to do is to take the side off the PC and make sure the fans are all running especially the one on the motherboard. Next get a vac and remove the dust from around the fans.
This does not sound like HDD failure far more likely to be overheating motherboard or a software glitch. First thing to do is to take the side off the PC and make sure the fans are all running especially the one on the motherboard. Next get a vac and remove the dust from around the fans.
There a several things to check for overheating,
1. (As said), Take the lids off and clean out the inside and make sure all the fans are working, (should be able to switch it on without issue, unless there is a kill switch for when the case is open (depends who made your pc!)).
2. If everything seems ok, turn on the PC-Health monitor in the bios, should be temperature settings in there to bring up a warning rather than reboot the PC if this is the temperature of the CPU/RAM exceeds a threshold which you can define in there.
3. Then run a graphics intesive game, this will load up the processor and graphics card, if its overheating, it will more than likely do it while running said game.
4. If none of the above show any issues, Have you run a virus scan? What anti-virus are you using?
Its unlikely that a hard drive fault will cause the system to reset, more likely is either overheating or some part of windows has become corrupt.
Last resort, backup and format the hard drive, install windows and see how the system behaves.
1. (As said), Take the lids off and clean out the inside and make sure all the fans are working, (should be able to switch it on without issue, unless there is a kill switch for when the case is open (depends who made your pc!)).
2. If everything seems ok, turn on the PC-Health monitor in the bios, should be temperature settings in there to bring up a warning rather than reboot the PC if this is the temperature of the CPU/RAM exceeds a threshold which you can define in there.
3. Then run a graphics intesive game, this will load up the processor and graphics card, if its overheating, it will more than likely do it while running said game.
4. If none of the above show any issues, Have you run a virus scan? What anti-virus are you using?
Its unlikely that a hard drive fault will cause the system to reset, more likely is either overheating or some part of windows has become corrupt.
Last resort, backup and format the hard drive, install windows and see how the system behaves.
I also keep getting blue screen errors stating things like "PFN LIST CORRUPT " and many others.
I have tried installing games to play and other software dreamweaver etc but they never work correctly when installed.
I have formatted and reinstalled windows four or five times but the problem keeps re-occuring.
Does this still sound like a temperature problem or is it something more sinister.
I have tried installing games to play and other software dreamweaver etc but they never work correctly when installed.
I have formatted and reinstalled windows four or five times but the problem keeps re-occuring.
Does this still sound like a temperature problem or is it something more sinister.
If you have formatted/reinstalled Windows, then can I assume that you don't particularly care for the data on the drive?
This would make life a lot easier
Otherwise it's a case of trying all above, and then if you need to replace the drive, take a full backup, reinstall windows, run a full restore (and no, it's not that easy
)
This would make life a lot easier
Otherwise it's a case of trying all above, and then if you need to replace the drive, take a full backup, reinstall windows, run a full restore (and no, it's not that easy
)Are you sure it isnt just spyware?
When I first got this pc, every time I tried to access windows memory to chance backgrounds/screensavers it crashed, but that was a problem with a memory stick apparently. I would take it back to the place you bought it from and get it checked out thoroughly
When I first got this pc, every time I tried to access windows memory to chance backgrounds/screensavers it crashed, but that was a problem with a memory stick apparently. I would take it back to the place you bought it from and get it checked out thoroughly
"Oh it's a virus" usually means "I don't know" in a general "It's Al-Qaida" or "damn commies" kinda way.
If files aren't going missing or refusing to load or save, then it is unlikely to be the hard drive itself. Memory is the most likely culprit, it's worth popping it out of the board, checking the socket is clear of dust and then re-seating it. While you are in there, as has been said, check the cpu fan and heatsink are clear and operating ok, and the same for any heatsinks and fans the motherboard may have.
If it is turning off rather than bluescreening it may be that the power supply is on it's way out.
Mike
If files aren't going missing or refusing to load or save, then it is unlikely to be the hard drive itself. Memory is the most likely culprit, it's worth popping it out of the board, checking the socket is clear of dust and then re-seating it. While you are in there, as has been said, check the cpu fan and heatsink are clear and operating ok, and the same for any heatsinks and fans the motherboard may have.
If it is turning off rather than bluescreening it may be that the power supply is on it's way out.
Mike
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