HDD failure - need advice on replacement.

[jcb42087]

Not too long ago I replaced my old Ati radeon 5670 hd with an nvidia gtx 1050 with the help of some of you here and now I am having a new problem and need a new replacement. My hard drive failed and I need figure out what I need to know in order to do that. My Computer is a Dell Xps 8300. All factory aside from the gpu that I replaced. Please help. I am assuming it is the hard drive because from what I have searched on it so far about the error I am getting when I try to boot my computer. I was watching youtube videos after playing some games and I got the "blue screen of death". Now I am getting "Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key." Sorry for clutter I am on my phone and I am not used to posting on here. Also do I need a specific hard drive or can I just buy a new one and keep on trucking? Any recommendations? Going to be buying a new gaming pc in the near future but I want to have this one running so my wife has something better to play on.



[Title changed to reflect the actual problem - moderator]

 

[jsmithepa]

HD are ubiquitous, just buy one of same or larger size, unplug old, plug in new, run Dell recovery procedure which will install OS anew. Hope you have nothing need saving from old HD.

 

[Kisianik]

HD are ubiquitous, just buy one of same or larger size, unplug old, plug in new, run Dell recovery procedure which will install OS anew. Hope you have nothing need saving from old HD.

In order to run Recovery you have to have bootabe USB, or some bootable discs, or working hard drive with Factory image correct?

Question to jcb42087. Can you get to BIOS by tapping F2 a few times during the Dell screen (booting) while the self test is running.
In BIOS look for something like this

See if your drive is there, if it is, check if it is selected to boot first.
If it selected, you might have to reinstall Windows and this is it, if BIOS don't see any drives, then you have to buy a new one.

 

[jcb42087]

I don't have a recovery drive or anything but my boots show up in this order:
Hard Disk
Cd did
USB floppy
Network
USB hard disk
USB Cd did

I ran the diagnostics in the F12 menu at the startup screen and it made my computer make some weird noises and also the only thing it had trouble testing was the hard drive. It said no hard drive detected. Also how would I go about getting my product key for windows? It came with Windows 7 and I would prefer to keep windows 7.

 

[Kisianik]

I don't have a recovery drive or anything but my boots show up in this order:
Hard Disk
Cd did
USB floppy
Network
USB hard disk
USB Cd did

I ran the diagnostics in the F12 menu at the startup screen and it made my computer make some weird noises and also the only thing it had trouble testing was the hard drive. It said no hard drive detected. Also how would I go about getting my product key for windows? It came with Windows 7 and I would prefer to keep windows 7.

Do you see the model of your hard drive (HDD for short) in BIOS anywhere? If you see HDD model - your hard drive is alive, but it has file system messed up (MBR is missing), so you can reinstall Windows OS from disc or USB, if BIOS doesn't show model of your HDD - it is plain dead.
I don't know exactly where, in BIOS, it would show your HDD model, you have to just open all BIOS tabs, looking for HDD model. I don't know, which model Dell used for your PC, but generally it is either Seagate (Dell use this company a lot) with model number starting with ST, or Western Digital, with model number starting with WD.

There are recovery software that can be used to extract DATA from busted HDDs if HDDs are spinning, but it is a long painful process. So one step at the time.

Now regarding Windows OS.

Which OS you had when PC crashed? Was it Original Windows 7, or you already upgraded to Windows 10?

In any case, your Windows serial key is embedded in the motherboard (MOBO for short), I think is BIOS, so when you install from the disc or from USB, installation will recognize embedded serial and will proceed.
The most important thing is to install exactly the same Windows version you had.
Meaning, if you had, for an example, Windows 7 Home 32bit you would not able to install Windows 7 Home 64bit or similar. Just an exactly the same version as you had factory installed.

And Last question is. Do you have another PC or Laptop (or you can borrow it or borrow time to get Windows image from Internet) with DVDRW (DVD optical drive, which can write/create bootable Windows disc). If that computer doesn't have DVDRW, you would have to waste USB flash drive to create USB Windows OS bootable drive. USB has to be more than 4GB size, I would say 8GB is more than enough. You would not be able to use this flash drive for anything else (I think) after Windows installation, os you don't need anything fancy here. If your XPS has USB 2.0, USB 2.0 drive is enough, if it has USB 3.0, USB 3.0 drive is needed, so the installation process will be faster, but USB 2.0 will work as well, just it would take much more time to do this.

So, let me know exact Windows version you had and I will provide you with legitimate download link (they still exist even for Windows 7). You can get it from Microsoft directly only if you know your serial key, but you don't, so no Microsoft at this time.

Yvor time is up.

 

[jcb42087]

I had not upgraded my windows to 10 because I heard it was garbo. I am currently on my wifes computer atm so I can download an OS. I also have a 16GB flash drive.

Dell tried to sell me a 1TB hard drive and the OS recovery cd/usb for $300 when I contacted them.

Dell also has a diagnostic boot option and the only thing that is not detected IS the hard drive.

I ordered this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B071WLPRHN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's a good upgrade(4TB instead of 1TB) compared to the one I had and I hope I did good on choosing.

Also is there any way I can find out the OS I was using? I know it was 64 bit Windows 7. Not sure if it was home or office pro.

 

[Kisianik]

I had not upgraded my windows to 10 because I heard it was garbo. I am currently on my wifes computer atm so I can download an OS. I also have a 16GB flash drive.

Dell tried to sell me a 1TB hard drive and the OS recovery cd/usb for $300 when I contacted them.

Dell also has a diagnostic boot option and the only thing that is not detected IS the hard drive.

I ordered this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B071WLPRHN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's a good upgrade(4TB instead of 1TB) compared to the one I had and I hope I did good on choosing.

Also is there any way I can find out the OS I was using? I know it was 64 bit Windows 7. Not sure if it was home or office pro.

Urgent. Can you stop Amazon order?!
You need 2 hard drives, one for OS, preferably SSD if you can spend more (Samsung EVO at least 256GB or 512GB, better option), or at least Western Digital Black (it has 5 year warranty), it can be 1TB and another drive for DATA only, I would go with WD RED NAS, those are almost forever, or if budget is tight, WD Blue/Mainstream, but with 7200RPM only. DATA HDD can be 3TB and up, budget is your limit. In this case, if you loose main drive, your data will be safe.
Reliability is as follows, from most to least.
1. HDST
2. WD.
3. Seagate.

Next is not for public to see, so, check your PC case for a sticker with Tag Number, it is usually 6-8 digit number.
Do not post it here - PM (private message) me with this number and I will look it up at Dell support site, it will provide original PC configuration, as it was shipped with).
Or you can try to do it yourself https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19

 

[jcb42087]

I did try to cancel it but it has been a few hours since I ordered it. I ordered it after the second post was made on this topic. Also I don't think it cancelled. Probably already shipped. It will suffice as I'm going to be building a computer in the near future for myself, which I will probably hit you guys up for help with. I can use that one I ordered as my data drive. If you can recommend a good primary drive link it to me and I'll take a look.

 

[Kisianik]

I did try to cancel it but it has been a few hours since I ordered it. I ordered it after the second post was made on this topic. Also I don't think it cancelled. Probably already shipped. It will suffice as I'm going to be building a computer in the near future for myself, which I will probably hit you guys up for help with. I can use that one I ordered as my data drive. If you can recommend a good primary drive link it to me and I'll take a look.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Performance-Desktop-Hard-Drive/dp/B00FJRS6FU?th=1 to start with, 2TB is a MAX, if you are a gamer, but for usual, casual type 1TB is more than enough. If SSD https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-500GB-Internal-MZ-76E500B-AM/dp/B0781Z7Y3S/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1534967156&sr=1-3&keywords=Samsung+ssd, PRO is better but the price is very high https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-512GB-Inch-Internal-MZ-76P512BW/dp/B07836C6YV/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1534967156&sr=1-5&keywords=Samsung+ssd

 

[Kisianik]

[strike]finding original OS is a pain in the ***. it will take time.
Can you try to call Dell support and ask them this question with your Service Tag, don't say that you are planning to get outside help (don't even mention this forum), make them interested to help you.
I will try as well, but time is money.[/strike]

The Service Tag you PM me belongs to Optiplex 980, not XPS 8300.

Did you buy XPS new, or you got it used?!

 

[Kisianik]

You can get Service Tag from BIOS MAIN tab.
Check it and PM me again.

 

[jcb42087]

Even in my BIOS Main tab it says Dell XPS 8300. I am unsure as to why it linked you to optiplex. My brother gave me this computer 2 years ago or so.

 

[Kisianik]

Even in my BIOS Main tab it says Dell XPS 8300. I am unsure as to why it linked you to optiplex. My brother gave me this computer 2 years ago or so.

See PM, you just were not accurate in PM first time, but you corrected at the end.

So you have Originally installed Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit (your original RAM size is 8GB and 32bit can not address more than 4GB).

Next follow this link http://getintopc.com/softwares/operating-systems/download-windows-7-all-in-one-march-2018-edition/
I just checked, download is working.
Now if you want to create bootable USB follow this guide, it has a nice video tutorial http://unique-tutorials.info/how-to-install-windows-7-all-in-one-march-2018-without-errors/
If you want to create bootable disc, you will need IMGBRN http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
and DVDR disc, then burn ISO file on the disc and follow USB bootable video to install Windows OS.
One thing - you MUST INSTALL ONLY Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit - you have embedded serial only for this version!!!

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[BFG-9000]

For everyone following along, Dell XPS 8300 may be Sandy Bridge, but it does not have UEFI.

Without UEFI, the 4TB disk that OP ordered will work as a storage drive but will not be bootable in any consumer version of Windows, which is why Kisianik suggested a nice SSD as a boot drive.

As I understand it, for Windows to just automatically activate using the embedded SLIC table in the BIOS, the installation media must contain a matching certificate which only a genuine Dell Win 7 install disc will have. However the normal online activation using the CD-key on the case should also work as this would be the first time it's ever used.

 

[ElectrO_90]

To make sure your HDD is breaking, try hard disk sentinel
30 days for free and great for hdd monitoring.

 

[Kisianik]

For everyone following along, Dell XPS 8300 may be Sandy Bridge, but it does not have UEFI.

Without UEFI, the 4TB disk that OP ordered will work as a storage drive but will not be bootable in any consumer version of Windows, which is why Kisianik suggested a nice SSD as a boot drive.

As I understand it, for Windows to just automatically activate using the embedded SLIC table in the BIOS, the installation media must contain a matching certificate which only a genuine Dell Win 7 install disc will have. However the normal online activation using the CD-key on the case should also work as this would be the first time it's ever used.

I tested myself on my Inspiron 570 (signature) - generic Windows ISO works just fine, and even better than Dell supplied as it removes certain restrictions (not applicable in this case).

 

[Kisianik]

To make sure your HDD is breaking, try hard disk sentinel
30 days for free and great for hdd monitoring.

In order to do so you have to have workable PC and it is not the case here yet, oops.
I do recommend HD Sentinel PRO version if applicable. Off topic a bit, see this discussion http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3738180/brand-western-digital-hdd-disconnects-randomly.html

When PC will work OP can test old HDD if it is still spinning. If it is completely dead, nothing can be done.

 

[jcb42087]

I realized by picking solution is basically closes the thread. I will get my storage device tomorrow and my main on friday and I will talk to you guys then.

 

[Kisianik]

I realized by picking solution is basically closes the thread. I will get my storage device tomorrow and my main on friday and I will talk to you guys then.

It doesn't close the thread, at least for me, it just shows your appreciation for the hard work we do here. None of us get any reimbursements of any kind, just moral satisfaction.

Plus, selecting best answer helps others, looking for the similar solutions, to read Best Answered posts to minimize reading time, finding best possible solution to their problems.

as long as I know about the topic, I will answer.

If you decide to change topic, it would be beneficial to start a new thread, so more ideas will be posted there.

Edit Update addon.

Deselecting Best Answer (for the purpose of continuing conversation) does completely opposite, no reimbursement (read no money), no honey.

Kidding.

 

[jcb42087]

Yesterday when I selected best answer I had typed out my previous post and it didn't allow the post to go through so I assumed it closed the thread. Thank you for the help. I really do appreciate it. I will hit you up tomorrow when all the parts have arrived.

 

[Kisianik]

Yesterday when I selected best answer I had typed out my previous post and it didn't allow the post to go through so I assumed it closed the thread. Thank you for the help. I really do appreciate it. I will hit you up tomorrow when all the parts have arrived.

No problems, glitches happens here time to time.

Just in case, so you know. Toms Forum is uses special review users who are tasked with reading all unanswered posts and selecting the best possible answer so it will help others looking for the same solutions. We know who they are and it is very hard work.

 

[jcb42087]

Alright so I'm prepping the USB to be a bootable device and being that I cannot turn my computer on, how will I know what my partition style will be for the 2TB Samsung drive will be? I was going to go ahead and make the USB so all I had to do tomorrow was hook up the drives and install windows on the main drive.

I will be using the 2 TB version of https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FJRS6FU?tag=tomshardware_forum_vgl-20.

This is the drive I will want windows installed on yes? I got the Seagate 4TB drive in today but I will only be using that drive to install games and stuff on. I am assuming it's MBR with the BIOS Target system but it never hurts to ask.

Also the version of Rufus I am using is 3.1 instead of 2.8 that is in the tutorial video. I've looked up a video but the interface looks different from the tutorial.

 

[Kisianik]

I see no problems here yet. You went overkill with 2 TB OS drive considering 4tb for games. You would be better off with 500 TB SSD for the same money or 1 TB for OS drive.
You misunderstood me previously. 2TB would be OK, if you did not have 4TB coming for games. So you wasted some money now.
My Gaming setup now is 500 TB for OS drive and 2 TB for games.
SSD gives games faster loading time and this is it. Important for multiplayer only. So you can spawn faster and get into the game faster. This is it. That is why I choose HDD for games.
More tomorrow.

 

[Kisianik]

I am on the iPhone now so will be short. Read this https://www.backup-utility.com/windows-7/windows-7-maximum-disk-size.amp.html
First install OS on Black HDD with other drives disconnected, next get Aomei and connect 4TB, format 4TB to GPT with Aomei and no problems at all.
Got to go.

 

[jcb42087]

Yes the overkill on the storage is mainly for when I pass this computer onto my wife as she wanted a lot of room to store pictures and videos of our kids and stuff like that, which she does a LOT of. z.z It's eventually not going to be for gaming only. I'm just wanting to set it up the right way. But now I know on a future note since my future computer will be a strictly gaming pc to only go with the SSD for OS and 2TB for gaming.

My only concern on the last post was setting up the bootable USB and getting the correct partition style as I got confused that the tutorial I was watching has an older version of Rufus than what I have downloaded. Thanks for the response, sorry for getting confused.