Help, Hard Disk Failure

I'm still using my laptop but starting lastnight, I got the following popup I have everything backed up that I need but I am wondering if there is anything I can do to see it my laptop is a goner. I've never seen this particular message so I don't know what this is about. Thanks in advance for any help, (computer info in my signature):

 

I am thinking this is some sort of ploy Toshiba has to get me to have my laptop serviced. I could be wrong, but I opened the Toshiba Bulletin Board (pic below) and it is for Windows 7. I upgraded to Windows 10, but the Windows 7 is what I am getting the message on.

2 attachments, this big one is of the Toshiba Toolbox that came on the laptop, and it is what sends out the messages. But I'm only seeing these are for Win 7 so I really don't know what's going on. If anyone is around today, and recognizes this sort of thing, I'd so appreciate input

 

Run the inbuilt ChkDsk
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/guide-to-using-check-disk-in-windows-vista/
and then a freeware tool such as
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/hddexpert.html

And if they all say the same, maybe you need a new hard drive.
Start data back ups though NOW.

 

Ok max,

All my things are backed up. I'll use checkdisk, and the hddexpert. Thank you much, Denise

PS I just hope I understand the "reports". I'll bring them here if I don't. If you are around maybe you can look at them for me. If not, no worries. I'll figure it out

 

Good luck with that Denise.

 

Ok, on Checkdisk I just got the same window popped open with the warning (as in OP). With the HDD, I get what's below, which I don't understand how to read it. Can someone help me with that? Thanks again,

 

It's serious, very close to terminal, too many bad blocks, probably not enough spare blocks remaining to keep the disk running for much longer. Worst case scenario = it won't be able to boot at the next startup, the BIOS won't be able to hand over boot to Windows, because the speck of data its looking for is on the latest damaged block.

 

You're going to have to replace the drive, there's no doubt about that. Do you have re-installation media for your OS and programs?

Perhaps the disk beginning to fail was the cause of the problems you had with version 1607?

 

Ok, merry christmas to me I guess. I can't rebuild a computer, so I will start shopping. This sure lasted me a long time, I think anyway, since 2011 or 12. I'll use it til it crashes then shop.

Any recommends on computers? Oh Mdonah, no, I don't have my Windows 10, that was a free upgrade. I'll buy one with that on it already I guess. Who knows. I haven't looked much, most are out of my price range. Really bad timing, and maybe this will last until next month if I'm real lucky. I'll hang onto it, in case I can fix it up and keep as a spare

Thanks to all of you, sure appreciate your help, Denise

 

In the new year sales you should be able to pick up something very good including Win 10 for a not big price.

 

It's your computer Denise. But, if I were you, since you like this Toshiba (and if you're in the same situation I am — limited fixed income) I'd opt for a new 2.5" hard drive (there are YouTube videos on how to replace them), download a Windows 10 ISO using Microsoft's Windows 10 Media Creation Tool and purchase a Product Key (I know where to get them for $39). So, you'd spend around $80 to repair the Toshiba compared to $300 or more for a new laptop (depending on how you'd want it configured).

 

True Max,

I just finished Thanksgiving Dinner and now am kickin back. Probably start looking around online to see what's new ty again denise

 

I missed this reply mdonah, I apologize. No, I don't have any software. Everything I have on this laptop was downloaded, I have a lot of Bigfishgames, which is no problem since those are kept online anyway. The only other things I have on here that are irreplaceable are photographs I've shot, but those are all backed up.

I hope that answers your question. Oh, and the Win 10 I downloaded online (free windows 10 upgrade.) I guess I did answer this, I remember now

Anyway, I'm looking around for another computer. So I got back on MG. I'm going to see if there's a place for "recommends" or which laptops (or desktops) are popular with you guys. I saw a rating site and Toshiba was bottom of the pile, Apple was first, and Dell (I couldn't believe Dell!!) was in second place. Anyway, maybe see you guys on that thread Gotta go start one if there is a place denise

 

The only difference I'm seeing so far is it takes a long time to shut down. I always use the "power" button then "shutdown" and usually it does it in less than 30 seconds, maybe more like 15. Now it takes minutes, like at least a couple.

I'm trying to figure out how to back up my OS right now. When I first heard about the SSD, I thought that was an external drive to buy and back everything up to that. If you see this satrow, can you, or anyone tell me if I need just enough space for the 182 gb I'm actually using? Also, I was looking at Newegg for external drives.

I think I'm confused, and I'm sure I am doing that to myself. I am wondering if I can buy an SSD, somehow use it to back up my stuff, then install it in place of the HDD?

 

As you can see, you have numerous options limited only by what you prefer and how much you want to spend.
I'm inclined to go with mdonah's post #11.
As for your question...

Yes you can.
1. You'll have to buy an internal SSD and an enclosure (caddy). The SSD goes in the caddy.
2. Partition the disk (you can do this with free software) and backup your files to one of the partitions.
3. Remove the SSD and install it in your laptop.
4. Install Windows on the other partition.

 

I'm sorry I didn't see this one earlier. Like Eldon mentions below, something about it's just whatever I think, there are so many options.

The more I look at the new ones and most in my price range, only having 15 in. monitors/screens, I think this one is worth hanging onto. And you are right about my limited income. Even if replacing the hdd could make it last long enough for me to save some dollars.

So I'd have to pay for Windows 10, but 40 bucks is not bad. Yes, and I'm not finding anything I really like for 300. What about this SSD drive? I don't know if I really need that since I've been happy with my speed etc. already. I think for my situation, you are describing just what I need to try @mdonah . I think I'll just order the HDD, I think it was 50 dollars, and with the Win 10 Media CT (that is included together with the Product Key purchase?). I think I got it figured out

I'd take you up on letting me know where to get that product key too!! Thanks again, I think this will be the plan I know I can put in a new HDD. I don't know if I'll need the SSD @Eldon maybe you and Mdonah can remark on whether or not I need that. Also, in the vid I watched, the caddy/case comes off the old HDD and screws onto the new one. Or is the caddy different, maybe just with the SSD?

 

Sometimes the HDD cannot be removed from the enclosure (it's completely sealed). Also, once you open that enclosure your warrantee is void.
That's why I suggested to buy an HDD and an external enclosure.

 

Oh, Ok @Eldon My warranty isn't in force any longer anyway. I haven't opened mine up to see if the case unscrews. I need to do that before I settle on buying another.

Does the SSD usually cost more than an HDD replacement? I'm still having trouble figuring out what SSD to buy, but I know how to but the HDD just like the one I'd be replacing

 

Ok, I did it, I ordered an HDD same as the one I had. Found it on Ebay free-shipping total 62.00. So now the deal is sealed I'll wait to hear from @mdonah again, and then I can get the "Windows 10 ISO using Microsoft's Windows 10 Media Creation Tool and purchase a Product Key". Gotta figure out how to do that between now and Dec. 5 when my new HDD will get here.

Sure want to thank everyone again for all the input. I'm far from "not" needing you all, but just want to make sure I thank you. I'd be lost right now if it was for MG because I don't know a soul around my town that could help me with all this

 

I'm refering to the warrantee of a new external HDD.

Yes.

 

Ok Eldon,

got it I'm glad I was right about the SSD costing more, I just went with the replacement HDD, as you probably read. Now I found the Tool @mdonah mentioned, and plan to get that downloaded, and ready to get Win 10, or maybe go back to Win 7. I just don't see anything that great about Win 10, not for my purposes. Maybe the product key for Win 7 is less too.

 

If you read my reply to your conversation, contact me.

 

You don't have to pay for a license to reinstall Windows 10. As part of the upgrade, you have a digital license from Microsoft to reinstall Windows 10 on that laptop. Reinstall and you will be automatically reactivated.

 

Ok, this is hard for me to figure out in my brain, but when I put in the new HDD I will not have any OS on my laptop. But I've been told there is a program available here that evidently installs a Windows OS. MS Windows IOS Creation Tool.

So once I install that, then I can reinstall the Windows 10 but I won't have to purchase a Product Key, is that correct? Do I need to find and hang onto to this license that came with the 10 upgrade?

Thank you for your help, this is very, good news, less dollars is always good news

 

Your W10 Upgrade licence is locked to the hardware in the notebook, once you've fitted a replacement drive and reinstalled W10, the MS Licensing server should automatically recognise your hardware as being previously licensed, no new licence required.

 

But what happened when you got the upgrade, is your Win 7 key was used to activate Win 10 so, it's been "consumed" by Win 10 and it's "locked" to the Home version. If you want the Pro version of Win 10, you'd need to purchase a new Key.

 

Interesting point but, esp. in this instance, I'm unsure whether that licence "consumption" would be legally upheld, or where the cutoff limit for testing/getting 'stuck' with, W10 is. The original OS on the notebook was supplied and supported, not by MS, but by the notebook maker. It's also embedded in the SLIC in the BIOS. Do MS contact that OEM with a list of W10 'upgraded' hardware and tell them "Don't support them on the OS you supplied"?

Sure, MS might have more clout over Windows Retail versions upgraded (but Retail licences allow moving the licence to a different PC).

Rollback from W10 is something different and was varied, first 30 days and, from AU, 10 days, (apart from the possibility that MS used that purely as a whip to try to prevent upgraders from returning to older versions and keeping W10 numbers high).

I suspect it was initially to ensure fewer repercussions from buyers of MS Surface devices from calling MS out over selling them with such small capacity drives, and then allowing/pushing of upgrades to W10, during which the drives might become full to the point of requiring Compact OS (and the performance crippling effect of that) or the purchase of extra hardware to be used as storage space necessary for the upgrade.

 

The Toshiba that Denise is using came with Win 7 home initially so, the Key isn't embedded in UEFI like it is with Win 8 and above. If she were to install a Pro version of Win 7 OR 10, her Home Key (on the sticker on her laptop) wouldn't activate it. She'd need a new Key. The links I supplied her in our Conversation are for Win 7 Ultimate for $16 (if she wants it) and Win 10 Pro for $39 (if she wants it). I've also advised her to get device drivers from Toshiba and advised her about how to resolve the issues many have had when it comes to getting Windows Updates in Win 7.

 

SLIC isn't specific to UEFI, it's been in use in BIOS since XP that I know of, usually no Key input is needed, it's an automatic validation providing the correct SKU is used.

I agree that switching to a Pro. or higher Windows SKU would be preferable for someone that wants a little control over W10.

 

Isn't it a PID file (contained on the OEM installation media) rather than SLIC?

Then she'd need Win 7 or 10 Home (and I don't know if the Toshiba came with Win 7 Home Basic or Win 7 Home Premium).

 

You Geeks lost me, but I'm trackin some of it, LOL!! I'm really leaning toward putting it back to win 7 because I just have a gut feeling that it will work better with the OS it was built to work with. I could be wrong of course. The Win 10 had a lot of new bells and whistles, that I wasn't even using. Like that Cilantro, LOL, I can't remember the name now but it starts with a C. I know I'm being pretty tekkie here, LOL!

I don't know if I want the Pro, but I want to read about it, the Pro 7?? The only thing I have on here now is the Win 10. I'm planning to go get an external hard-drive today. Tired of worrying about backing things up. I know it's stupid not to back things up, especially when you don't get any recovery media with these machines anymore.

 

Mine just came with Home @mdonah I think?? Let me see if I can find out

 

Sorry for losing you Denise.

The "C" thing is called Cortana. I never use it.

Win 7 had two versions of "Home", Basic and Premium. If you want your original version, the ISO download tool will get you that. You may still need to contact Microsoft to activate Win 7 with the Key on your sticker because you're switching from OEM (installed by Toshiba) to retail.

 

That's ok, I get lost easily, that's why I come here to get help Yes Cortana, and I would just as soon use my desktop as the "start" tiles etc. I can go either way, but I'm thinking what's best for the puter, easiest on it so that it will last a bit longer.

I have my paperwork from when I bought the Toshiba, but nothing says which Windows 7 came on it. I don't know how else to find it, but guess I could call Toshiba, with the key they would know right? Do you guys need me to do that? Let me know denise

 

Knowing whether it's Home Basic or Home Premium will let you download the correct version with the ISO download tool. The sticker Key will activate only the correct version and not the other.

You said in one of your replies that Toshiba would charge you $30 for a recovery DVD. This would be an OEM DVD of the version that was installed initially.

 

Ok, so if I want the original, I'll just get that. I'd forgotten about that info from Toshiba

 

The Toshiba discs would get you back to Windows 7, which you say you preferred, and all the original setup as from factory. If you want to re-upgrade to windows 10, it should work, because your factory key has been recognised from that previous upgrade. So, using the recovery media is really your cheapest bet.
Personally, I would have said just take the new hard drive out of the caddy, and replace the one in your laptop, put the recovery discs in, and you will be set to go with Windows 7, and leave it at that. You could then put your old hard drive into the caddy, and pick up anything you might have forgotten on it to your new hard drive,
If you look up the manual on your laptop, it is pretty easy to do to change the hard drives over- you should just remember to only touch a cold hard drive, and then only by the outer edges .
I will not say anymore to add more confusion, but you don't even need to put your liscence in with the recovery cd/dvd,s.

 

How to replace your hard drive
http://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/kb0/CRU2203930001R01.htm

 

I'm just going to sort of repeat back what you said, to make sure I am getting it @baklogic
Take out the old HDD, but use the "old" caddy for the new HDD (make sure everything is cooled down before I remove anything). Handle new HDD by the edges only (plus I'll be watching the video as I do this).
Then put the recovery media in the DVD drive and reinstall the original OS.

I wondered about the upgrade still being recognized from the product key, so I wouldn't have to by a license for win 10 if I do decide I want it back.

Thanks for the info, and let me know if I misunderstood you about the "caddy" thing. That's just a little casing that is around the HDD inside my laptop right? And I think you're telling me to use the one that's in there, not the new one??

 

No.
The new HDD is in a caddy if you ordered an external HDD.

 

Oh boy, we need to get these threads together, I have 2 going and it's so confusing. I was going to buy an external hard drive but I'm not going to now. All I've bought/ordered so far is a new HDD @Eldon , sorry about the confusion. I'll see if I can get these topics together, I don't know if the admin can do that or not.

 

If you have only ordered a new hard drive- perfect.
Just follow the video to remove your EXISTING hard drive, then to put the NEW one in.
I

 

I'm sorry I have gotten the threads mixed up, yes, only a new HDD I just appreciate you guys so much. I've been saved going on 3 times from blowing money on a new computer when you guys have helped me "fix" this one Instead, I've been able to keep my old, 94 truck going too, LOL

I'll take a look at the link you gave me now. I had one ready to use, but I'm hoping there are better visuals on yours. I could hear and understand the guy, but I couldn't see what he was doing that well

Oh my gosh!! I'm so happy it's not a vid, step by step pics with written instruction!! Love it!! Thank you sooooooooo much

 

Mine is an L775D @baklogic but I doubt it is much different. The HDD door is in the same place.

 

If you want to copy anything off your Existing hard drive, you will need a caddy, but a caddy can be bought very cheaply.--I find it cheaper to buy laptop caddies separately.
If it is slightly different, look at this video from u-tube - sometimes the hard drive holder is slightly different, but the removal is very similar,
This site will let you know more about any further information, and shows other dismantling should you ever need it- I find the site very useful
I like Toshiba, myself, and have repaired countless numbers, and I think that model you have is worth keeping - bookmark the link .
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/lapto...775-L770-L775D-L770D/laptop-disassembly-1.htm
One thing I would say is that I see too many people handling the hard drive too much, so, I would suggest that you handle by the edges only, try not to touch the flat surfaces

 

Let us know when the new HDD arrives.
Have another look at post #17 - last sentence.

 

Will do Eldon!!

 

Ok, I don't need anything else backed up or copied thank goodness Thank you for this link, I will take a good look, and yes, I will be very careful how I handle the HDD, and handle as little as possible

 

Ok, I see Eldon Thanks so much, denise

 

I have not come across a sealed hard drive enclosure, myself - but my apologies, as Eldan's post made me realise that I should have referred to internal caddy, and external caddy, when I was explaining about removal earlier . I trust the links filled in with pictures.........