You get the award on this one.

Temperature is a variable on the issue, but not the primary problem.

Dell did some diagnostics with it and found the hard drive is slowly departing this earth. New drive is on the way.

As I write this, the machine is in safe mode and currently backing up "my documents" to an external drive (I'm not on it at the moment). It'll probably take 8 hours to get it done...........if it doesn't crash.

I've got the a/c on maximum cold to help it as best as I can.

A ha!


I had a suspicion it was the hard drive when you said it would run, slow down, then lock up!

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Do you know of any other way to get it to move a folder other than safe mode and waiting.............??

It's really marginal and I'm a bit concerned that it won't make it the full eight hours..........I won't know until I return Sunday night.

Would it be successful if this drive was utilized as a slave to a machine with a good drive and a properly functioning OS?

What's interesting about this situation is that the machine boots up fine in full Windows. It just won't run any applications.

Best way is to pull the hard drive and attach it to another PC either internally or with an external caddy/cable. Trying to run the machine itself to copy the data relies on the hard drive being at least moderately healthy.

Out of curiosity, what type of hard drive is it? Samsung? Hitachi? Dell likes to use the cheapo hard drives, though technically the "Vostro" series is their cheapest line of PCs.....so its kinda expected.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Thanks.

If this last backup fails, I'll do that with the new drive.

I'll let you know after I pull it.

I had good performance from the previous Dell.........a Dimension 4550........so, the failure of the Vostro after two years is somewhat of a surprise. I don't believe that Dell uses any "better" hard drives in any of their machines. The get a certain performance level and live with the warranty issues.

In the Dimension and Optiplex series they tend to use only Western Digital or Seagate, but in the Vostro and low end models they use Hitachi and Samsung (and used to use Maxtor, which were the worst by far)...because they cost less and have slower performance. Most of the failed drives I see at work are Hitachi or Samsung or Maxtors....only every so often does a Western Digital or Seagate come through dead.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Interesting.

Now, if they would provide such info in their literature, I wouldn't mind paying more for the Optiplex. However, judging strictly by specifications.........RAM and HDD capacity..........the Vostro was more than sufficient for my needs.

Might be the last time I purchase their equipment due to the lack of truthful information for a proper choice.

This little fiasco is going to cost me plenty...........due to delays in business issues.

The removed drive was a WD Caviar SE. The replacement drive is identical.

Dell sent the drive with all the drivers and software ready to self-load. It saved hours of work. I'm pleased with their support level (paid warranty support).

The machine was up and running in about one hour.