BleepingComputer.com: Dropped Laptop

I dropped my laptop and it immediately turned off. It has windows xp. When I turned it back on I got a blue screen of death and then did last known good configuration, which brought me to the check disk screen. Check disk deleted two indexes and recovered three things. I assume that whatever it deleted off the hard drive and recovered means the hard drive was damaged, so do I need to buy a new one? The computer runs fine but I don't want the drive to deteriorate and lose all of my stuff if it eventually breaks.

Well i guess you're fairly lucky that it still works. A large drop for a spinning hard drive normally means goodnight. If it was me, I'd get a new drive before it packs up on you. Who knows how much that fall shortened your hardware's life.

I called Dell to get a new one and my service contract is up so I'll have to buy a new hard drive. I want a bigger hard drive anyway (this one only has a gigabyte of free space left). So I guess I'll do the hard drive and memory upgrades that this computer has needed the whole time I've owned it.

trying to get a new hard drive tomorrow. I know that I need an ata connection, and I want a large capacity drive, but does the speed matter? My old one is 5100, do I need to get another 5100?

The newer ones are running a 7200 RPM and shouldn't be a problem. For a good selection check out what Newegg has.

thanks partner

thrillhouse, on Aug 13 2007, 11:42 PM, said:

Like dc3 said, you shouldn't have a problem with a higher speed. From what I've read, slower RPM drives address laptop batterylife and temperature. You might want to consider these factors. For example, the model of Toshiba Laptop I have has horrible battery life. If I didnt have it plugged in all the time I would consider a slower RPM drive. Just putting that out there as something to consider.

hmm, glad I asked. I think I will go for the slower drive because mine is unplugged alot and has poor battery life even with the 5100 rpm one that's in there now. I usually can't watch a movie start to finish without plugging it in. I might just buy an external, save everything to that, and then when I have the money get a better computer. That way if this one buys the farm I won't lose my stuff, and I won't be rationalizing investing more money in a machine thats 4 years old, has an expired service plan, and was a lemon to begin with.

Haven't decided, you guys have given me much to mull, but at least now I know what my options are. Thanks again.

There are some 7200's that claim to have better battery life than 5400's, but if you do buy a 5400, buy one with a reputation for low battery consumption (and consider buying a new battery).

<i> I usually can't watch a movie start to finish without plugging it in. </i>

With that short of battery life your hard drive is not the problem. Batteries over time loose their ability to hold a charge. This sounds like your problem. My friend had a year old laptop that would drain the battery in under an hour, he got a new battery and now has 5+hours of run time before it needs to be charged.

There was a recall for battery of my computer ( I think sony makes them, the label is worn so I can't see) and I never replaced mine because I can't read the label. It might be the problem, but I'm sick of investing money and time in this pile, I'm getting a new computer next week.