Assorted Hard Drive Questions

[Trousers]

Something happened to my computer about a week ago where it restarted itself for no apparent reason. This happened again once or twice over the next couple of days until Windows XP decided it wouldn't start. I got a blue screen saying something about a Kernal_Stack_Inpage_Error, and it began dumping the physical memory before restarting again. I couldn't start in any kind of Safe Mode or the Last Known Good Configuration. I also couldn't repair install Windows, or use the Recovery Console. Finally, I just wiped the hard drive and re-installed Windows XP, but the problem started happening again. Someone told me that my hard drive was the problem, and I needed a new one. Is this true? Is there any other explanation for the problem?

Also, if I do need a new hard drive, I have a few other questions. I have a Toshiba Satellite A25. Will any hard drive of the right size work, or are there compatability issues or anything else that I would have to consider before buying a new one? Also, if anyone knows of a place that sells hard drives relatively cheap, that would be great, since I'm a little pressed for cash. Thanks.

 

[fishmahn]

I would go to the hard drive maker's website (i.e., seagate.com for a seagate, maxtor.com for a maxtor, etc.) and download their diagnostic utility. Run it on the drive and see if there are any errors showing up.

I was about to say it sounds like a power supply problem, but since its a laptop I'm not so sure. And I don't know how to evaluate that on laptops.

As far as I know, any 2.5" hard drive should work fine. For where to buy, I would go to Newegg.com, their prices are darn good (sometimes you can get things for less from other places) and their service is excellent (but those other places may not be good service). For the very rock bottom price, try the various pricing sites like Toms, Anand's, pricewatch, shopper.com, etc. However, be careful of where you order there - the lowest price may not be from a reputable dealer.

Mike.

 

[Trousers]

Thanks. Someone else told me to try NewEgg, so I'll probably go there if I get a new one.

Another thing that makes me think it's the hard drive is that it's starting to make weird clicking noises every once in a while. That makes me nervous.

EDIT: Here is the hard drive I have now: http://sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx?Path=8182000000070000000100006598000026b9/818200000aff000000010000659c000026ad/818200000192000000010000659c0000279f/8182000006d9000000010000659c00001555.

Here's one I was looking at on NewEgg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822149028.

Does anyone see there being any problems with buying that one from New Egg?