Laptop Hard Disk Problem + Moral Dilemma o ... ... History:I bought a Dell Inspiron 8500 in November 2003 with a 2 yr warranty.In july, the hard disk st ...

Abhi · 08-12-2004, 05:09 AM

History:

I bought a Dell Inspiron 8500 in November 2003 with a 2 yr warranty.

In july, the hard disk started giving errors ... and acting VERY VERY weirdly.

Sometimes it would get detected, otherwise not. It would give the "Primary Hard Disk Fail" message.

One fine day my laptop absolutely stopped booting... gave the BSOD, then after a few reboots gave the "Primary Hard Disk Fail" message. Tried the hard disk in a IBM T41, same error.

Connected it to a desktop PC, but the BIOS failed to recognize the HDD.

It then magically came to life... and started working... Only problem was, I get the BSOD in windows XP twice a DAY now. Unmountable_boot_volume. Chkdsk /r doesnt even check the disk.

A few reboots later, it works as if new.

I have tried deleting the partitions, secure erasing and then re partitioning. Done this almost 4 times in the last 1 month.

Present Problem:

The BSOD's continue, but the hard disk is error free. Tried the surface scan and 0 errors?

Whats wrong with the HDD? The NTFS partition gets corrupted ever 2nd boot, and gets repaired automatically!!

A Dell CSR told me since the HDD passes all diagnostic tests, its fine and they wont replace it. What do i do? simply break the HDD (In a way that they dont find out i did) and demand a new one?

Malone · 08-12-2004, 10:26 AM

Who cares, its messed up, so return it. That's what warranties are for. Get a fresh new HDD, maybe a faster one :-)

Abhi · 08-12-2004, 12:37 PM

How do i do that Malone?

Mess it up more? If so... any tips?

Evo · 08-12-2004, 12:36 PM

Abhi, its very simple to get a replacement part from dell. Usually, they have no problem giving it if you ask, but if they dont, just demand it. Be firm, but not stupid, and they'll cave.

Evo · 08-12-2004, 01:09 PM

dont mess anything up on purpose, thats stupid, and you might end up voiding the warrenty

08-12-2004, 05:09 AM	#1
Abhi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 14 Credits: -345	Laptop Hard Disk Problem + Moral Dilemma on a Inspiron 8500 History: I bought a Dell Inspiron 8500 in November 2003 with a 2 yr warranty. In july, the hard disk started giving errors ... and acting VERY VERY weirdly. Sometimes it would get detected, otherwise not. It would give the "Primary Hard Disk Fail" message. One fine day my laptop absolutely stopped booting... gave the BSOD, then after a few reboots gave the "Primary Hard Disk Fail" message. Tried the hard disk in a IBM T41, same error. Connected it to a desktop PC, but the BIOS failed to recognize the HDD. It then magically came to life... and started working... Only problem was, I get the BSOD in windows XP twice a DAY now. Unmountable_boot_volume. Chkdsk /r doesnt even check the disk. A few reboots later, it works as if new. I have tried deleting the partitions, secure erasing and then re partitioning. Done this almost 4 times in the last 1 month. Present Problem: The BSOD's continue, but the hard disk is error free. Tried the surface scan and 0 errors? Whats wrong with the HDD? The NTFS partition gets corrupted ever 2nd boot, and gets repaired automatically!! A Dell CSR told me since the HDD passes all diagnostic tests, its fine and they wont replace it. What do i do? simply break the HDD (In a way that they dont find out i did) and demand a new one? __________________ Dell Inspiron 8500: P4M 2.4 Ghz, 512 MB, 60 GB @ 5400 rpm, 15.4" Samsung WSXGA+, DVD/CDRW, 64 MB 4200 Go

08-12-2004, 10:26 AM	#2
Malone Adios! Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 859 Credits: 85	Who cares, its messed up, so return it. That's what warranties are for. Get a fresh new HDD, maybe a faster one :-) __________________ Andrew Malone - Notebookreview.com moderator since 05/24/2004 "It's not my fault, it's some guy named General Protection!" -Ratbert (\ /) This is Rabbit. Copy Rabbit into your signature or profile (O.o) to help him on his way to world domination. o(")(")

08-12-2004, 12:37 PM	#3
Abhi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 14 Credits: -345	How do i do that Malone? Mess it up more? If so... any tips? __________________ Dell Inspiron 8500: P4M 2.4 Ghz, 512 MB, 60 GB @ 5400 rpm, 15.4" Samsung WSXGA+, DVD/CDRW, 64 MB 4200 Go

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08-12-2004, 12:36 PM	#4
Evo Kid A Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,093 Credits: -38	Abhi, its very simple to get a replacement part from dell. Usually, they have no problem giving it if you ask, but if they dont, just demand it. Be firm, but not stupid, and they'll cave.

08-12-2004, 01:09 PM	#5
Evo Kid A Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,093 Credits: -38	dont mess anything up on purpose, thats stupid, and you might end up voiding the warrenty