Windows Startup Repair query

[gregrocker]

Others can answer that better than I.

 

[Boozad]

For an SSD Samsung and Intel tend to be the 'best' brands, and for a standard HDD I'd recommend Western Digital (Caviar Black for performance such as gaming or running programs, Caviar Green for storage).

 

[Gator]

FWIW, I have a cheaper crucial SSD and it works perfect. Don't get too caught up in name brands. You basically have the same likelihood of getting a bad HD/SSD no matter what company you choose.

 

[Boozad]

Oh I'm not saying the others are bad, far from it. My backup rig has a Toshiba SSD and there's nothing wrong with it. But Intel and Samsung are generally recognised as better makes when it comes to SSDs, hence the higher prices.

 

[Gator]

Oh I'm not saying the others are bad, far from it. My backup rig has a Toshiba SSD and there's nothing wrong with it. But Intel and Samsung are generally recognised as better makes when it comes to SSDs, hence the higher prices.

Oh sorry, I should have quoted the OP, I was just giving him other options, not a rebuttal to your post in any way.

 

[RedLad]

Thanks for the replies, really appreciate it.

Is it OK to ask one more question?!

I'm presuming the hard drive was the main culprit, but the drive works fine when plugged into another laptop as I said, so that seems weird to me, but I still won't go back to using it again. So would I be best bringing the laptop to a repair shop for a checkup just to see there are no other hardware issues before I go installing 2 brand new hard drives and a fresh copy of Windows?

Just that I don't want to get it all setup for something else to happen, for example the motherboard or ram may have issues? Is there a way to determine if these and the laptop in general is healthy without having to bring it to a shop? Sorry I know these are total 'newbie' questions guys.

Cheers,

Paul

 

[Boozad]

There's no need pay for diagnostics on your hardware. If you've ascertained that your HDD is bad and are going to replace it you can test the RAM yourself.

Download and run MemTest86+ to test your RAM.

   Note

Run MemTest86+ for at least 8 passes. Ideally set it off before you go to bed and leave it overnight, we're looking for zero errors here. A single error will show something's going bad with your RAM.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

If there are any more tests you would like to carry out just let us know.

 

[RedLad]

There's no need pay for diagnostics on your hardware. If you've ascertained that your HDD is bad and are going to replace it you can test the RAM yourself.

Download and run MemTest86+ to test your RAM.

   Note

View attachment 337613

Run MemTest86+ for at least 8 passes. Ideally set it off before you go to bed and leave it overnight, we're looking for zero errors here. A single error will show something's going bad with your RAM.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

If there are any more tests you would like to carry out just let us know.

Thanks Boozad, I don't need an operating system installed to do that do I?

 

[Boozad]

No, MemTest86+ will run independently from whichever bootable media you create. Just make sure your run it for at least 8 passes which will take a fair amount of time.

 

[RedLad]

Install the OS to the SSD, the move the User folders to the HDD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html, alternatively create new User folders on the HDD which you then rightclick to add to the related http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/585-library-include-folder.html setting the data drive one as the default: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/595-library-set-save-folder.html.

If you stick with these steps, tools and methods for the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 then you'll have a perfect install for as long as you do.

Hi Greg, just about the factory OEM Windows 7 you mention - is that if I don't have a Windows 7 disc? The laptop came with Windows 7 home edition installed as far as I can remember, but I went and bought the Ultimate version shortly after.

 

[RedLad]

No, MemTest86+ will run independently from whichever bootable media you create. Just make sure your run it for at least 8 passes which will take a fair amount of time.

OK cheers!

 

[gregrocker]

I would reinstall the licensed version on the PC so it's $100+ is not wasted, unless you actually need the few extra expensive features in Ultimate since it is the exact same OS otherwise. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/14422-compare-windows-7-editions.html

You can use Ultimate somewhere else or give/sell it to someone who actually needs those features.

I told you how to test the hard drive to confirm it is bad, so what was the result of the manufacturer's http://www.carrona.org/hddiag.html?HD Diagnostic ?

Let us know how the RAM test goes, for 6 passes min or overnight.

 

[RedLad]

I would reinstall the licensed version on the PC so it's $100+ is not wasted, unless you actually need the few extra expensive features in Ultimate since it is the exact same OS otherwise. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/14422-compare-windows-7-editions.html

You can use Ultimate somewhere else or give/sell it to someone who actually needs those features.

I told you how to test the hard drive to confirm it is bad, so what was the result of the manufacturer's http://www.carrona.org/hddiag.html?HD Diagnostic ?

Let us know how the RAM test goes, for 6 passes min or overnight.

I bought ultimate because I had to wipe the laptop before and didn't get a Windows 7 install disc with the laptop.

The hard drive diagnostic, I posted a screen from that a few pages back did you see it? There is no way I am going to chance using the hard drive again though, as it's not the firt time it gave me trouble. So I'm going to buy 2 new ones, an SSD and a standard one.

I was wanting to get this one - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-250...id=1413989941&sr=8-1&keywords=samsung+ssd+840

But I read somewhere that the motherboard has to support SATA 3? Is this true? I'm not too sure what kind of motherboard is in this laptop I will look into it.

 

[Boozad]

Run Speccy to get your motherboard information. Click on the motherboard tab on the left to find the make/model of your motherboard then a Google search on its specs will let you know if it has SATA3.

 

[RedLad]

Run Speccy to get your motherboard information. Click on the motherboard tab on the left to find the make/model of your motherboard then a Google search on its specs will let you know if it has SATA3.

View attachment 337761

Thanks Boozad, I will check that when I get my laptop back.

I just read thhat this 500BG one - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-500...id=1413993446&sr=8-2&keywords=samsung+ssd+840

is: Interface: 2.5" SATA III (6Gb/s) compatible with SATA II (3Gb/s) so that's good to know. I have a feeling my one is SATA II

 

[gregrocker]

You said that the HD worked when you plugged it into another PC. I see that you ran the Dell Diagnostics preboot assessment. But I can't find where you ran the WD Data Lifeguard bootable flash stick and Windows version to confirm this even though I suggested to repeatedly.

You did not need to buy an expensive Win7 Ultimate just because you didn't have a disk to reinstall the OS you already own for the life of the PC. It is provided in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164. So I would reinstall the licensed version so it is not wasted, and use Ultimate elsewhere.

 

[RedLad]

You said that the HD worked when you plugged it into another PC. I see that you ran the Dell Diagnostics preboot assessment. But I can't find where you ran the WD Data Lifeguard bootable flash stick and Windows version to confirm this even though I suggested to repeatedly.

You did not need to buy an expensive Win7 Ultimate just because you didn't have a disk to reinstall the OS you already own for the life of the PC. It is provided in http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164. So I would reinstall the licensed version so it is not wasted, and use Ultimate elsewhere.

It did work fine in the other laptop yeah. I didn't run the WD Data one. I don't have the laptop right now, it's down in my cousins.

I bought Windows 7 Ultimate with a staff discount, so wasn't actually expensive at all.

 

[RedLad]

Hello there,

I have got the new SSD and separate hard drive installed and up and running on my laptop now. It is running great. I have Windows on the SSD and nothing on the separate 1TB drive right now.

I want to change my user profile to the normal 1TB drive, not to be on the SSD as it currently is. I was wondering could someone here explain the main difference between the 2 options on this page that Greg pointed me to before - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html

I see in option one that I have to do some registry edits. But if option two would work for me, I'd rather do that one.

I will wait on word back from you guys before I go any further installing my programs.

Cheers,

Paul

 

[Boozad]

Any options in Brink's tutorials will work for you.

 

[gregrocker]

I would use Option Two and only move the active User folders, i.e. the ones you have files in and use.