Can't Boot Windows 7 BSOD

[whs]

Any SSD will fit your Inspiron 560. If you tell me what size SSD you want and what your budget is, I'll be glad to make some proposals.

You can get a 60GB SSDs for around $50, 120GB for around $70, 240GB for around $90 and 500GB for around $280.

If you use it only for the OS, 60GB or 120GB would be plenty. My 3 desktops run on 60GB models since years and I never ran out of space. Only need a little easy 'tuning'.

 

[thinkbig]

I probably didn't unzip the diagnostics correctly before burning to the dvd. I will proceed with the directions to load it onto a memory stick.

Yes, I would appreciate some recommendations for an ssd as I know nothing about them. I think I will order it, because it will
take a few days to get it. In the meantime I can test my current HD and if it turns out to be good I can always return it, although it seems like it would be good to replace it anyway if the SSD will make the PC run faster. It looks like that it is the issue anyway, just need to make sure the HD is the only issue and the system will work once replaced??

These are the stats for data size I found on my current HD when going to set the partition to active:

Partition 1 OEM 39 MB Offset 31 kb
Partition 2 Primary 14GB offset 40 mb
Partition 3 Primary 581 GB offset 14 GB

So it looks like 60 GB would do it, or does it pay to get the 120 just to be sure?
The prices that were mentioned seem very reasonable for both sizes, not much more than replacing with a regular HD.

Please point me to anything else that would be needed, I know an adapter was mentioned, and as I understand it I can use the cables from the drive I'm replacing?

Will I need to reload the operating system, or will I be able to use a system image that I have on an external drive?
I've never replaced a HD before.

Thanks again everyone!!

 

[whs]

You don't need an adaptor. The Velcro dots work fine. The only other bit you need is a 6Gb Sata cable. The additional power cable should be on your PSU.

 

[essenbe]

I just mentioned the adapter as an option, but also mentioned Velcro. It works just as well. In fact, I have one of my rigs with the SSD attached by Velcro. It works very well that way.

 

[thinkbig]

Great, so please point me to one(s) online that you would recommend purchasing. I will order it ASAP! $50 - $70 plus or minus a few would work fine. Thanks!

 

[whs]

Here are some good ones. I own the Mushkin (last one). Great SSD.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233626

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0ZX1AJ7330

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226319

 

[essenbe]

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Elect...cp_3_QGCD?ie=UTF8&refRID=1B13WX7MBHM21C839W2W

http://www.amazon.com/Mushkin-Chron...&ie=UTF8&qid=1398199098&sr=1-17&keywords=ssds

 

[whs]

Amazon.com: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Single Unit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE250BW: Computers & Accessories

Amazon.com: Mushkin Chronos 120 GB SATA 6.0 Gb-s 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive (MKNSSDCR120GB): Computers & Accessories

This 120GB Mushkin is a great deal. I also have the 240GB Mushkin (besides the 60GB). They are great SSDs. And their sevice is exceptional. They once replaced a bit within 24 hours when it was already more than 1 year beyond the end of warrenty. All they wanted is a copy of the original order.

 

[thinkbig]

So I put the mushkin in my cart. Just want to make sure I understand... this goes where the HD is now and it comes with Velcro to mount it?? Also, looking at the 6Gb Sata cables, they come in different angles?? Will any one of them work?

 

[essenbe]

You will need to buy some Velcro. Just a small pack is all you need and have plenty left over. As for the angled cables, they come straight and angled. You will have to look inside your case to see if the angled ones will work. It will depend on where you place the SSD. I would buy straight ones if you are going to put it on the floor. Look for straight to straight ones.

 

[thinkbig]

ok, great! I am ordering now. Probably will have some more questions when it comes, still wondering about the system image if I will be able to use it?? Thanks again!

 

[whs]

For which one did you opt - the 60GB or the 120GB. At the price of the 120GB, I would go with that. Can never have enough space.

 

[thinkbig]

Just looked at the mushkin 120 GB at Amazon and will order that one. It is a great deal and comes with a mounting adapter bracket as well.

 

[whs]

I have a whole box full of adaptors - never used them, LOL.

 

[thinkbig]

Finally got the Western Digital HD Diagnostics to run. I used a flash drive and ran both the quick test and extended test several times. The quick test kept coming up as "No Errors Found." The extended test keep timing out. I think it finally got to the end (took several hours) and came up as "Too Many Errors Found - Please Contact Technical Support Error / Status Code: 0225."

Does that mean the errors are on the HD or with running the test?

In the meantime I did order the Mushkin 120 GB SSD and a cable from Amazon, should be here any day.

Is there anything I can do, or just wait for the new drive?

Thanks again!

 

[Golden]

Did you manage to get the SeaTools test to run? Click link below:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/313457-seatools-dos-windows-how-use.html

 

[gregrocker]

You've had BIOS SMART confirm status as bad. You can confirm that as well by installing CrystalDiskInfo - Software if you can still boot into Win7.

In addition to WD's own tool since you have a WD HD, try the Seagate test to confirm the long test as well.

 

[thinkbig]

I got the new Mushkin SSD today. I installed it with the bracket and screwed it into a slot (it may be upside down, don't know if that matters) and hooked up the SATA and power cables. I turned on the PC and got to a screen that said no boot device so I put in the installation disk and proceeded to install windows. It said "no device drivers found" and asked me to put in the driver disk. I did that and it couldn't find the right drivers. I am stuck at this point... not sure where to go from here??

 

[essenbe]

Where did you get the Installation Disk? That's usually a sign of a bad ISO or a bad burn. Windows 7 Installation disk is pretty much driver complete. Make sure the sata controller in bios is set to AHCI, and the SSD is the only disk connected at the time of the install. After the install is complete, shut down and connect any other drives. This may help, http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

 

[thinkbig]

The disk came from Dell with my computer roughly 4 years ago. It is windows 7 Home Premium. I'm not sure what you mean by "Make sure the sata controller in bios is set to AHCI" The only part of BIOS I've been able to access is the startup and it is not showing the new Hard Drive.