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    HDD failure?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by M11x ftw, Dec 4, 2011.

  1. M11x ftw

    M11x ftw Notebook Consultant

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    Ok, so for the last six months or so occasionally (once a month maybe) when I start up my m11x, I am greeted with a black screen saying - A disk read error occured, press ctrl - alt - del to enter recovery. And another message stating intel and a whole lot of numbers, followed by something which I think says, insert a hdd.
    Today, I had these messages occur about 6 times (after which i hit the alienhead to restart) before it finally booted to windows. So I was just wondering is this because my HDD is failing? or some else? Not a big deal, since I am looking at purchasing this now - Corsair Force Series 3 120GB SSD [CSSD-F120GB3-BK] - $199.00 : PC Case Gear
    Thanks :)
     
    M11x ftw, Dec 4, 2011
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  2. khetik

    khetik Notebook Deity

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    Could be a hdd failure, have you tried running Diagnostics on the computer? I can't remember the keystroke to press when your laptop starts up and the alienware logo appears, but I believe it is F12 or something. Then you choose diagnostics, which will run a scan on ur laptop.

    Better get your important docs off that drive just in case.
     
    khetik, Dec 4, 2011
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  3. M11x ftw

    M11x ftw Notebook Consultant

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    Ok, will do once I have copied everything across and turn computer off (I am leaving it in sleep now, since I don't want to risk it not starting at all).
    Thanks and + rep :)

    Also, another question, is there a guide to installing a ssd into the m11x?

    EDIT: and also, how much of an increase in battery life can I expect to see?
     
    M11x ftw, Dec 5, 2011
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  4. thegh0sts

    thegh0sts Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    1. good price for an SSD of that size (in AUD of course :D).

    2. if it's an HDD failure then you'll probably have a hard time trying to get the PC to read the drive or even copy stuff from it. if you can then it's probably the OS got corrupted somewhere along the line.
     
    thegh0sts, Dec 5, 2011
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  5. M11x ftw

    M11x ftw Notebook Consultant

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    I'll run the diagnostics once I copy everything I want across, but the problem only occurs when I boot windows. It seems stable when left on and in sleep, hibernate doesn't work though :/
     
    M11x ftw, Dec 5, 2011
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  6. bouddha

    bouddha Notebook Geek

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    a backup asap looks mandatory at that point.
    after that I'd go on the HDD manufacturer's website to download the diag utilities and run some tests.
    The main thing is to find out if it's the HDD that is faulty or the mainboard controller.

    keep us posted on your problem.
     
    bouddha, Dec 5, 2011
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  7. thegh0sts

    thegh0sts Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    probably a corrupt OS then. if you can reinstall the OS on another drive then it fine.
     
    thegh0sts, Dec 5, 2011
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