Hello all,
My laptop for all intents and purposes seems to be showing signs of HD failure. And at the same time, not. I'm rather confused.
It started a couple of days ago when I tried to boot up and was shown an error informing me that there was no boot device. I restarted a few times and Windows worked. After that, no issues for another couple of days. Then yesterday I booted up and got the same error. HD also made a clicking/grinding noise while it was trying to load Windows. I restarted a few times, then eventually the Windows loading screen (Win 7) came up, but the flag image never loaded and the computer eventually restarted itself and went into Windows diagnostics. The diagnostics attempted system restore, which it claimed was successful, and lo and behold, Windows started up properly. No grinding, no clicking.
I can also use the computer (when Windows starts) normally with no clicking or grinding. In addition, I ran a SMART full scan via a tool from the HD manufacturer and it came up 100% clean. I was under the impression that if a HD was on the verge of death the SMART scan would show some sign of it. (It's a SATA HD, btw.)
I'm already in the process of backing up my data, but it has me confused. Is the HD actually dying, or is there potentially some other problem at work here?
Also, does anyone have any recommendations for copying the HD's contents to a new HD? I don't know if the computer will continue to function or not for a USB device (and it only has USB 2.0) to be used.
Thanks.
My laptop for all intents and purposes seems to be showing signs of HD failure. And at the same time, not. I'm rather confused.
It started a couple of days ago when I tried to boot up and was shown an error informing me that there was no boot device. I restarted a few times and Windows worked. After that, no issues for another couple of days. Then yesterday I booted up and got the same error. HD also made a clicking/grinding noise while it was trying to load Windows. I restarted a few times, then eventually the Windows loading screen (Win 7) came up, but the flag image never loaded and the computer eventually restarted itself and went into Windows diagnostics. The diagnostics attempted system restore, which it claimed was successful, and lo and behold, Windows started up properly. No grinding, no clicking.
I can also use the computer (when Windows starts) normally with no clicking or grinding. In addition, I ran a SMART full scan via a tool from the HD manufacturer and it came up 100% clean. I was under the impression that if a HD was on the verge of death the SMART scan would show some sign of it. (It's a SATA HD, btw.)
I'm already in the process of backing up my data, but it has me confused. Is the HD actually dying, or is there potentially some other problem at work here?
Also, does anyone have any recommendations for copying the HD's contents to a new HD? I don't know if the computer will continue to function or not for a USB device (and it only has USB 2.0) to be used.
Thanks.