help is this a hardware problem?

[StazzieJones]

@Kevin, when start up repair couldn't fix itself ,which has happened several times before...the only option I had was to reset it back to when I bought it. I've found the option in advanced settings before and have tried it since, but my computer wanted a disc which I didn't know how to do at the time. like I said I'm not very computer smart, but is the hdd light the one that looks like a stack of discs? if so it stays lit constant.

 

[whs]

I'm actually saving files to my USB it seems to be acting the same but files are actually making it over slowly

What do you mean with the bolded statement? And how slow is it moving the files to the stick. If they are big files, it can take a while because sticks are not that fast.

 

[StazzieJones]

I'm saving pictures to my USB stick. it's not just lagging for moving the files, closing out windows can take up to 5 minutes now. even when I'm not transferring files. I had navigated through the files at first just fine and played the games, but trying to open and move files now it's giving me the same results. I've managed to get a good handful of pictures off which I'm very happy for. should I still try the windows install for the heck of it?

 

[whs]

Why don't you save your files with Puppy. If I understood you right, that worked fine. Just copy/paste them from your library files to your backup device. And then you can consider a reinstall of Win7.

 

[gregrocker]

You can also try another backup device: external or another HD is best, another computer on the network, DVD, up to 15gb on Skydrive with each Windows Live ID.

 

[StazzieJones]

I'm am still using puppy, it wasn't until I started doing the file copying is when it showed the same symptoms and it yes just as bad. hdd light stays on constant once every 20 mins it may blink so I'm settled it s hard drive. I'm patiently trying to transfer whatever pics I can that's all I'm worried about. I've gotten farther on this than I did with windows. is it worth replacing hard drive or just get another laptop?

 

[whs]

If you have another PC, you could take the HDD out of the lappy and run it in a USB enclosure. That would give you some more info whether it is the drive (which is easy to replace) or something more serious.

I would do that in any case before giving up on the laptop. The enclosures are cheap, they even come as cables with attachment and cost between $10 and $30.

Examples: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=92

 

[StazzieJones]

I've tried linking to other computer, backing up etc, it would take hours and just forever sit when I would get close to finishing . in a period of two weeks I maybe managed to get 10 pictures. it's been 4 months since it's been like this and has taking spurts of patience here and there to try to do something with it. when I first loaded puppy clicking on everything and playing the games worked just fine. I didn't start until today to move the files and it's the same story. I was so excited thinking it was just windows

 

[StazzieJones]

I'll try that within the next few days. I can't stand the other laptop I've purchased in replacement at the time , but my husband and I could really use a second now. thanks for all your help again.

 

[whs]

OK, Let us know how you make out. Reading from an enclosure will tell you what the story on that disk is.

 

[gregrocker]

Test the HD with maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan followed by full Disk Check to know the status of the HD with certainty. The scan can also repair surface problems, and disk check can repair the file system - either or both of which can return a balky HD to service.

 

[StazzieJones]

Im seeing sizes for 2.5" and 3.5" for the enclosures. How do I know which one I need?

 

[Lemur]

Just out of curiosity, how full is your hard drive? What percent full?

 

[whs]

Im seeing sizes for 2.5" and 3.5" for the enclosures. How do I know which one I need?

Laptops are 2.5" and desktops are 3.5" (95% of the time). But why don't you get one that can take both sizes like this one: Newegg.com - Aluratek AHDDS100F 2.5" / 3.5" eSATA & USB 2.0 External Docking Enclosure with 3Port USB 2.0 Hub You may not want eSata. There are the same that are USB only.

 

[StazzieJones]

I've barely touched 100 out off 500 g. I've ordered the enclosure so hopefully it gets here soon.

 

[gregrocker]

While you wait why don't you work through these troubleshooting steps which may find the problem or at least gather clues. You'll also learn a lot more about your system.

 

[StazzieJones]

I have the enclosure and have connected it to my working computer. I didn't run through the troubleshooting bc I barely could get anywhere. should I do that while hooked to my working laptop? what are my next steps?

 

[gregrocker]

What is it you wish to do now?

Do you need to copy out your data? If so then plug it in via USB and look under Computer to see if the drive shows up and you can browse to the data and copy it out.

I last suggested you test your HD with maker's diagnostics booted extended CD scan, which was ignored because you were busy shopping for your enclosure. But you can't test the HD if it's in an enclosure since it must be connected via SATA or IDE cable.

You can however run a file system scan and HD sector test which can possibly help, using free Partition Wizard installed to the working laptop with the problem HD plugged in via USB.

 

[StazzieJones]

I don't think the smart comment about me shopping for an enclosure was neccessary. I shopped maybe 10 mins. I don't think I have been rude, just slow, and i am trying to follow others advice as well. I tried the disk check while I waited for it to come in the mail and couldn't get anywhere nor did I have a CD to try to the other option. Not to mention having the time to do it at the moment. I was under the assumption I would be able to determine with the enclosure whether or not my hard drive is my problem or something more serious. I've recently ran a disk check with the hook up and it fixed a few errors, I'm waiting for it to check for bad sectors now.

 

[gregrocker]

Then I would run Disk Check again two more times to see if the file system is fixed.

If the PW surface scan finds bad sectors then you might put the HD back in the laptop, boot the maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan to see if it can be repaired.

The Disk Check may have already fixed the problem, as well.