Kitz Forum
Computers & Hardware => PC Hardware => Topic started by: nomeames on August 09, 2009, 12:19:54 PM
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I have a laptop I have been using for last 5 years. Recently I started hearing some noise, I never heard before. It is most likely the signs of a failing hard drive but just to make sure it is nothing else, I was wondering if there is a diagnostic tool (free) to check the hard drive health.
I have already backed up my data. What next if it is the hard drive thats failing? Chuck the computer or can I install a new compatible hard drive? I would prefer a DIY sort of stuff... ;) (Not sure I would like to send it to a professional for repair..:D)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1201483/Undercover-footage-finds-IT-staff-repair-firms-spy-personal-files.html
(I have a Hitachi, 2.5" Travelstar 5K100 hard drive)
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>> to check the hard drive health.
Chkdsk ?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
... and yes it is possible to install a new HDD in a laptop. :)
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Also worth looking at Hitach Drive Fitness Test
http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT
and Barts Stuff Test
http://www.nu2.nu/bst/
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Thanks for replying. Does chkdsk tells you about possible physical damage (reason for noise?) to the disk?
I will check out the hitachi disk diagnostic tool.
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Does chkdsk tells you about possible physical damage (reason for noise?) to the disk?
No, chkdsk with only report back any possible read or write errors which if found is a possible sign of the HDD starting to go faulty.
However, I have use disc testing programs in the past and never really found then to be of much use where a noisy drive was concerned.
As for changing the HDD, that is quite a simple job with any laptop I have come across, with usually just a couple/few screws needing to be removed that attaches the HDD into the laptop.
The simplest way is to first create a "HDD Image file" (or Clone) of the old HDD onto either DVD or CDs using either something like Norton Ghost (which is my preference) or Acronis Trueimage, install the new HDD then reinstall the saved image file back to the new HDD, that should put your laptop back into a working condition in next-to-no-time.
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Thanks Oldfogy. I am kind of dinosaur when it comes to hardware. As I said, my hard drive is noisy and its about time I fit a new one (for the moment I wouldn't like to part with my laptop ;D). Can you guide me in detail (step by step) how to go about changing the hard disk?
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That's a awkward question, mainly because I don't know the layout of your laptop.
First of all you could do with finding out what is the maximum size of drive you can install.
Then you can work around what you want to spend on it.
1. What size is it at present and how much free space is there, also do you need to increase the size?
2. Is it just one large drive or has it been partitioned into 2 or more drives/partitions?
3. Do you have a CD or DVD burner that you can create either a "Image or Clone" of your drive onto?
(Some manufactures web-sites have free software that enable you to create either a clone or image for the purpose of transferring all your data, unless you don't mind reinstalling everything)
(A clone is a direct copy of the entire HDD including any partitions, whereas a "Partition Image" is just a clone copy of a single partition)
But here goes.
Can you locate the HDD on the bottom of the laptop?
(On the bottom of the laptop look for a small plate marked HDD) there may only be one or two very small pozzidrive screws holding the plate in-situ)
Once that is removed, some HDD will just slide out, but some are held-in with anything up-to 4 screws which need to be removed to allow it to slide out.
Don't forget to backup your personal data to some sort of external media before you do anything.
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Thanks Oldfogy. Perhaps that was a stupid question. Told you I am a dinosaur. :). To answer your questions:
1. Present size is 60GB. Free space C: - 3GB and D: - 7GB and yes I would like to increase the size.
2. Partitioned 20GB (C:) and 40GB (D:).
3. DVD +/- RW (I have a Vaio VGN-S56GP that I bought from Singapore). Not sure if a cloning software exists for Vaio laptops.
I tried to find the max install size of the hard drive for my model but couldn't find any info. Not sure how to get this info. ???
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Thanks Oldfogy. Perhaps that was a stupid question. Told you I am a dinosaur. :). To answer your questions:
1. Present size is 60GB. Free space C: - 3GB and D: - 7GB and yes I would like to increase the size.
2. Partitioned 20GB (C:) and 40GB (D:).
3. DVD +/- RW (I have a Vaio VGN-S56GP that I bought from Singapore). Not sure if a cloning software exists for Vaio laptops.
I tried to find the max install size of the hard drive for my model but couldn't find any info. Not sure how to get this info. ???
1. To be honest if your figures above are accurate, then "possibly" one reason for the excessive noise is that your drive is full and your OS is finding it hard to find information that is required quickly.
2. Not that it really matters, but 20Gb + 40GB will not give you a 60GB HDD.
3. The manufacturer of cloning software is not relevant to the make of drive/laptop you have (any cloning software will do)
However, with the size you say your C: drive is, you would be better trying to find some way of connecting your old HDD to a external drive, possibly with using a USB caddy of some sort and doing a direct clone from there once the new drive is installed.
Maybe/hopefully someone else may be able to advise on the max size of HDD that you can install.
(Although you could try phoning Sony or even PC World and ask if they know)
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edit
Specs from the page below seem to suggest you could possibly increase the HDD size to 160GB.
http://www.upgradecomputermemory.com/ram.cfm//memory/S/Sony-VAIO/Sony-Notebooks-VAIO-VGN-Series/VAIO-VGN-S56GPS-S56GPS/160GB-Notebook-Hard-Drive-for-the-Sony-VAIO-VGN-S56GP-S-S56GP-S-.html
Other indications are that the original specs show the HDD as being 80GB, so it's also possible you have a hidden drive partition, "possibly containing manufacturers restore files"
If you go to disk management you will be able to see the exact partitions you have by:-
Right click My Computer then select Manage from there you can then select Disk Management.
If you do have manufactures re-store available then it would be well worth keeping for future use.
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I called PC World and they told me to get in touch with the manufacturer. I have written to Sony and expecting a response soon (hopefully).
OK, I checked the disk management and here is how it looks like:
Recovery Partition (4.66GB / NTFS / Healthy (EISA Configuration))
Vaio C: (18.63GB / NTFS / Healthy (System))
Vaio D: (32.59GB / NTFS / Healthy)
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I'd look at the SMART data using something like Speedfan or Diskcheckup.
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I have installed speedfan. Results are greek to me. ??? (All I did, I checked the "automatic fan speed"..lol)
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In Speedfan click on the SMART tab.
Then, in the drop-down "Hard disk" box click on the relevant drive and look at the stats below.
Relevant/important stats will have a "traffic light".
And there's an overall fitrness and performance "bar" at the bottom.
For a nice summary click on the "in depth analysis" button.
So - what did it say? (post analysis here)
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This is the result of in-dpeth analysis.
Raw Read Error Rate 100 65536 Very good
1 Throughput Performance 100 0 Normal
10 Spin Up Time 253 3 0 0 Very good
8 Start/Stop Count 99 2051 Very good
10 Reallocated Sector Count 100 0 Very good
10 Seek Error Rate 100 0 Very good
1 Seek Time Performance 100 0 Normal
2 Power On Hours Count 79 9413 Normal
10 Spin Retry Count 100 0 Very good
1 Power Cycle Count 99 1958 Normal
1 GSense Error Rate 99 131073 Normal
10 Power Off Retract Count 100 46 Very good
7 Load Cycle Count 90 105551 Good
10 Reallocated Event Count 100 57 Very good
10 Current Pending Sector 100 0 Very good
10 Offline Uncorrectable Sector Count 100 0 Very good
10 Ultra DMA CRC Error Rate 200 0 Very good
All of the attributes of your hard disk have normal values. This is good.
The overall fitness for this drive is 90%.
The overall performance for this drive is 90%.
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So, nothing wrong with it. Probably a fan making the noise. 8)
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So, nothing wrong with it. Probably a fan making the noise. 8)
I am really confused now. For past 2 weeks there was this noise but it disappeared since last night. Could be the fan and not the hard disk. :-\
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So, nothing wrong with it. Probably a fan making the noise. 8)
Good point and well worth checking any/all internal fans before going much further.
However.
Did you have any success in locating the panel that is covering the HDD?
What if any sort of external media "IE, USB drive" do you have that you can store the "Image File/s" onto?
How much of the current C: drive is actually programs and operating system files?
Do you have a Windows XP install disc?
And do you feel competent in replacing the HDD?
Changing the actual HDD should not be a problem, the problem I see you having is transferring the original data back to the new HDD.
Although places such as Maplin Electronics sell the cables and connectors that will allow you to do that, but again it's another cost.
However.
This is the way that I would go about changing and re-installing the data.
1. Create a "Image File" of each separate partition onto external media.
(Really speaking you only need the C: drive Image file which will be quicker and smaller than creating a Disc Clone Image)
The files from the D: drive you can transfer at a later date if you can connect the old drive to the laptop via a USB cable.
As for the files from the hidden recovery partition, you need to decide if you want to keep them.
2. Install the new HDD.
3. Decide on what size partitions you want to have on the new HDD, then create the new partitions and format them using either the Windows disc or even a DOS boot-disc.
(Although the Windows disc would be my first choice as I feel comfortable using it)
Warning - while you were typing a new reply has been posted. You may wish to review your post.
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1. I haven't opened the computer yet as the noise mysteriously disappeared. :-X
2. I have external hard drive (350 GB) to store "image file(s)".
3. Drivers=250MB, Prog Files=1.7GB, Windows=3.9GB.
4. I don;t have windows install CD. It came in the hidden partition.
5. Tbh, I don;t feel competent enough. But I might give it a go. ::)
For the time being I would wait and see if the noise stops permanently. Will get back in a couple of days.
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Present size is 60GB. Free space C: - 3GB and D: - 7GB.
Partitioned 20GB (C:) and 40GB (D:).
3. Drivers=250MB, Prog Files=1.7GB, Windows=3.9GB.
4. I don;t have windows install CD. It came in the hidden partition.
5. Tbh, I don;t feel competent enough. But I might give it a go. ::)
??
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Ok,
I think in the mean-time I would advise you to experiment practice with a Image creating program, especially to make sure you are comfortable with it for when you do decide to change the HDD.
If you want to keep the manufacturers re-store files then you will need to partition the new drive into 3 partitions. Partition 1 = C: (20Gb is usually fine for XP)
Partition 2 = D:
Partition 3 = E: (Recovery Partition 4.66GB)
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Sorry to bother everyone again. I thought its better continuing this thread instead of starting a new topic. The noise is back again. I am not sure whether it is the fan or HDD which is making noise. I was wondering if there is a way to know what is making noise. Like, if there is a way to turn the fan off to see if the noise continues and thus eliminating one possible cause. Any suggestions on locating the source of noise without actually opening it up?
Thanks in advance.
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I would open the case and listen as I am sure you will be able to tell where abouts the noise is.
You could WITH CARE stop a fan one at a time and see if noise stops, they do stop easy but do not do it to long with processer fan.
You may also find a fan on the Graphics card.
I take all mine out every 6 months, clean and lubricate. I even do the power supply fan but only once a year.
If you get a long screw driver and place it carefully on a fan housing and other end to your ear you may be able to locate noise that way, I used to do that in work all the time.
Make sure you do not put it on an electrical connection.
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I haven't opened my laptop for since I bought it (almost 5 years now). May be it is asking for some cleaning now. BTW, can you tell me how I can stop one fan at a time? I understand keeping the fan off for long may cause overheating. I will be careful on that.
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Oh I missed that, a laptop you say now that is a different matter.
Other than take it somewhere to be looked at even I would not open the case.
Sorry I assumed wrongly you were talking about a desktop.
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Opening up laptops to get to the hard drive and fan is normally straight forward, and in my experience the hard drive usually has a separate removable panel to enable easy removal/replacement. There are usually quite a few small screws to remove and I'd recommend you use a decent quality precision crosshead (Phillips), and lay the screws out in the same pattern that you remove them to ensure they go back into the same holes - remove the battery and earth yourself as precautions beforehand though.
What model do you have and what kind of noise is it that you can hear? If you carefully turn the laptop upside down you may be able to pinpoint the noise more easily.
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I have a Vaio VGN-S56GP. I think something is loose inside as the nosie fades when I tilt the laptop to one side and comes back when I place it flat. It is coming right from where the fan is located so I assume it is the fan. I was hoping to find out if I can somehow switch the fan off for 10-15 secs to see if the noise continues. That would give me some idea regarding the source.
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A good tip for screws it get some vending cups and when you take out first set of screws place them in a cup, then place a new cup in the same cup followed by the next set of screws then a cup and so on.
I do have some Vaio laptop manuals but not sure if I have that model but will check tomorrow.
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Here are a couple of links that may be of some use:
http://www.insidemylaptop.com/take-apart-sony-vaio-vgn-s360p-replace-broken-power-jack/ (http://www.insidemylaptop.com/take-apart-sony-vaio-vgn-s360p-replace-broken-power-jack/)
http://losercoalition.net/blog/2008/03/sony-s-series-laptop-disassembly-for.html (http://losercoalition.net/blog/2008/03/sony-s-series-laptop-disassembly-for.html)
It would appear that on the S series the cooling fan is located around the enter key area just under the keyboard.
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Thanks for the links. It is really very helpful. Cheers!
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hands off, think its the fan.
try cleaning it.