Laptop regulary freezes, HDD issue? - Solved!

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Slick Rick

Slick Rick

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Ive recently had problems with my laptop where it completely freezes for no apparent reason. At first I thought it might have been a virus or something but it also freezes on the windows 7 start up screen sometimes and also in safe mode.
I tried running CHKDSK but it seems to stop at this point



Im worried about re-installing windows incase it crashes in the middle of that too.
Should I get a replacent HDD and then install windows? Im not sure what to do or if I can fix this problem without wiping everything and starting again..
 
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What model is it?

A lot of Laptops have built in diagnostics. eg if it's a Dell, press F12 at POST and you will get the boot menu. You can choose diagnostics from there.

When it freezes does it eventually start responding again or do you have to hard reset it?
 
I'd see if your laptop has a diagnostic mode, to at least test the hard drive for any errors.

Is your laptop still under warranty?

Are there any files you cannot afford to lose if you decide to wipe/clean install?
 
It could always be the partition of windows is corrupted also.

Have you tried startup repair to see if that fixes anything? Also, do you have a recovery disc for you laptop stored anywhere?
 
Its a HP DV5 1110 its a little old so its out of warranty and I also tried startup repair and it didnt fix the problem. Once if freezes i have to switch off, I left it for 2 hours once and nothing happened it didnt come back. :/

I dont have a recovery disc but very painstakingly a bit at a time Ive managed to back up my important documents so Im okay if I have to wipe the HDD :lol:
 
HP should have on-board diagnostics as well. Run them and see what they say.
 
I decided to try an re install windows to see if that would solve it and no surprise it froze during the install :lol: I went to PC World and got a replacement HDD for £45, very simple job to replace and have installed windows again and everything is working fine :)
The shop charges £50 to replace the HDD and re install windows so was definitely worth doing myself..
 
Okay after a day re installing all my crap the problem came back!! I took it to 'some asian guy' and he diagnosed it as faulty ram so we took out both modules and started the laptop with one installed and found it wouldnt start with one of them. Right now im running the good module but I remain skeptical so before buying a replacement im going to use the laptop as it is for now and also turn my old hard drive into a portable one as there was nothing wrong with it in the first place :/
 

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