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    XPS 15 (L502X) harddrive problem

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by verynice69, Jul 18, 2011.

  1. verynice69

    verynice69 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi guys,

    I recently (beginning of July 2011) got an XPS 15. Today the harddrive failed (clicking noises, won't boot, etc). I tried putting it into an older laptop and it still wouldn't work - I kept getting a no harddrive error. I also tried putting the HD into an enclosure but again with no luck. I checked my service tag and it says I have XPS technical support and rapid response depot so I should be good warranty wise.

    I'm sure Dell will replace the HD, but what are the chances that they'll give me back the broken hd to try and recover my data? (ie by using the freezing method or worst case with professionals) Normally I wouldn't really care for a crashed hd, but I have lots of important docs that I need to recover (I know, I'm an idiot for not backing them up to begin with).

    Does anyone have any advice for me?

    Thanks in advance :D
     
    verynice69, Jul 18, 2011
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  2. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    None. The warranties are there because Dell has to return them to the respective manufacturer for compensation. That's why Dell and all manufacturers have a pretty quick return date for FRU parts and bill you insane prices if you don't return it in time (I've seen 2000 for a 500 GB HDD).

    If you absolutely need your data, send it out for professional data recovery first then RMA the drive/laptop to Dell.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Jul 18, 2011
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  3. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    Try the data recovery methods now. Dell does have a service where they let you keep failed drives, but I've only seen it offered on servers and probably some business products.
     
    atbnet, Jul 18, 2011
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  4. verynice69

    verynice69 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I looked into some professional services and they're way out of my budget so I decided to call Dell to see what they can do for me. They told me that they can try to repair the hd without wiping the data and send back that same drive, otherwise they'll replace the hd altogether. Is this possible or at all likely? I'm a bit confused here.

    Thanks for the help!
     
    verynice69, Jul 18, 2011
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  5. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    It's not very likely unfortunately. There are some tools you can run like Spin Rite which might give you some data access. I would try the freeze method, just make sure you put it in a bag to avoid condensation. They aren't going to put much effort into it because true data recovery as very expensive as you saw from your professional service quotes.
     
    atbnet, Jul 18, 2011
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  6. mtneer

    mtneer Notebook Consultant

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    I would toss in a bag or two of those charcoal moisture absorbent packets.
     
    mtneer, Jul 18, 2011
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