HD spinning at failed start up?

Edward Yee · Post by **Edward Yee** » 2006-10-23 02:21pm

If anyone recalls my earlier "spontaneous" (random) laptop shut-downs (no prompt, just it going 'zoom' and blacking out), now I've found that not only does it definitely need the power cord/AC adapter to power back on, but even that's not a guarantee of it powering back up (in a stable way). For that matter I've found that whether I tap or hold the Power button, on failed attempts to power it I've heard an odd, almost squeaky (?) noise, as if it's the hard disc spinning... any idea what exactly this could be?

(I'm using a HP Pavilion dv1000 series, at least a year old, with Windows XP Pro SP2.)

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2006-10-23 02:23pm

Sounds like the hdd is dying. Though, dv1000? I just bought a relatively new HP Dv6000 the other week. Sounds like your machine is rather old in comparison.

Edward Yee · Post by **Edward Yee** » 2006-10-23 02:56pm

It is over a year old, physically -- maybe two. This is the first time in a long time that I've had this problem though. (Started again yesterday.)

Just checked that it wasn't a battery problem since I had it with the AC adapter plugged in and the battery removed... but how do I back up/salvage 55GB worth of files (at least 20GB of that being videos) relatively quickly, time-wise? Wondering about my options, if I don't plan on replacing the laptop itself...

P.S. *snicker* It did such another spontaneous turn-off right as I was about to click this thread...

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2006-10-23 03:32pm

If you don't have a DVD Burner, I'd suggest getting an external hdd to back up the disk. You can pick up a fairly cheap Maxtor 1 touch drive, for example, for around $100 to get 60+ gigs of storage.

Edward Yee · Post by **Edward Yee** » 2006-10-23 08:55pm

If I can find one, that'll be enough -- I'd just use a DVD burner, but the onboard LightScribe DVD+/-RW is busted (and apparently would be $135 to replace?). x_X

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2006-10-23 08:59pm

Edward Yee wrote:If I can find one, that'll be enough -- I'd just use a DVD burner, but the onboard LightScribe DVD+/-RW is busted (and apparently would be $135 to replace?). x_X

If you've got an Office Depot nearby, or something similar chances are you should be able to get ahold of one without too many problems.