Is it worth fixing my DELL Inspiron 6000 again?

Some history:

I bought an Inspiron 6000 from DELL in 2005. The keyboard had a key that stuck, but I thought it would smooth out with use so I did not contact Customer Support. Then in less than 6 months my hard drive failed. At that point I contacted DELL CS and got a replacement hd and keyboard. A little over a year later the replacement hard drive failed. By that time my warranty was up. This time I tried a different brand and larger capacity hd (Fujitsu 80G). within a year THAT hd failed. Also between the Fujitsu install and fail I had to replace the keyboard yet again (sticky keys) and the battery died and required that I replace that. Also along the way I had upgraded my memory to 1G to try to address sluggish performance.

I have always used AVG Anti-virus and a couple of anti-spyware programs and run them regularly.

My questions are:

1) Is it worth my time and expense to put in a 4th HD?
2) What could be causing this laptop to chew up my HD's?

I am now using a UPS in case there is a fluctuating current at my house (I had been using a cheap surge protector).

Are DELL Inspirons known for these failures?

TIA,

jej1216

 

What operating system are you using? I remember reading about issues with one of the Linux programs burning through hard drives quicker.

I have not had to replace a hard drive on my Inspiron 6000 yet but I have replaced the keyboard, DVD drive and need a new battery. I'm trying to hold out as long as I can for a new notebook but I think I'll be buying a new Dell soon.

 

1) If you do get another drive, go Seagate or Hitachi...excellent multi-year warranties.
2) Bad manufacturing...Fujitsu and Samsung hard drives are pretty low end IMHO when it comes to quality.

The battery is understandable, as those usually last a year or two at most. But the keyboard...well, you might want to try to keep gunk off of it...keyboards are very cheap on eBay.

 

Get a decent drive with a good warranty. Seagate, WD, or Hitachi would be good choices.

 

Sounds like someone doesnt take care of there Laptop.

 

That was helpful.

 

Agreed

I have a couple of 1530s but also have the old workhorse Inspiron 6000 , its been faultless, although the FN key kept sticking on it so i removed it , apart from that ive had no troubles with mine. If you dont wanna stump up for a new lappy maybe get a decent quality drive and a new keyboard, shouldnt cost to much ££

 

Yeah before I opened this thread I was thinking "This guys screen or Mobo must be broke". But just a Keyboard (Should be cheap direct from Dell), and a HD (again cheap when you think about it). Is nothing to throw away a decent laptop over. HD's fail, it happens. I would be very surprised if it was your laptop that is causing the failure. Now your keyboard that keeps sticking is a little interesting. Do you use your keyboard with dirty hands? I do agree with one poster, that the OP might need to take a little bit better care. But I also doubt the OP is careless.

 

Lucanesti,

"Sounds like someone doesnt take care of there Laptop."

Huh?

I'm not sure what you would mean by this, and I appreciate the other answers I got since they actually are trying to help.

My laptop sits on my desk 90% of the time. My house has a roof and walls so the weather isn't getting to it. I am the sole user, and I don't spill drinks or drop crumbs on it or anything of the sort. About once every 2 months I may fly somewhere and take it with me, and I put it in it's nice cushy case and carry it with me.

Does that sound like I'm abusing my laptop to you?

If you can't post something helpful, why bother to post at all? Also, you may want to try spell-check so you at least use the right words. It's 'their' not 'there.' And, it's 'doesn't' not 'doesnt.'

As far as everyone else - thanks for the responses.

I may try another brand of hard drive - I'm just appalled at the cumulative number of problems this laptop has given me. I've owned other laptops and never had the plethora of issues as I have with this one.

My OS is Windows XP Pro.

- jej1216

 

I understand where you are coming from. But from what I have read, your problems are HDD, Keyboard, and Battery?

How long did you have the Battery again? I am pretty careless when it comes to my Battery use. Not sure exactlly what I am doing "wrong", but in my past two laptops (A Toshiba M45, and a DV6000t) the batteries have died within a year. But that is the thing, batteries die. Sure we would like them to last as long as possible. But it is a battery.

Same thing goes for HD's. They Fail. And can vary alot from brand to brand. If you do replace your HD again, do some research and find out what others are happy with. Personally I am loving my 320GB 5400rpm WD drive. And others have reported good things about it.

But again, the Keyboard thing would just tick me off. But at least it should be cheap. I had to order a few new keyboard for our 6400's @ work. And dell had the best price, I think they were under $20.00 each. But they are refurbished keyboards. But they were perfect when we got them.

 

The problem with the battery is the replacement cost. $134.99 for a 6 cell and $154.99 for a 9 cell currently through Dell. Mine has been dying for a while so I've been leaving it home when I travel.

Combine the cost of the Battery, hard drive and keyboard and you might as well buy a new system. At least that is what I would do. Then again I've been trying to find an excuse to upgrade.

 

Thanks,

I replaced the battery about 6 months ago - so I'm good there. I also replaced my keyboard at that time, so hopefully that is OK.

I guess I kind of spewed out all off my frustrations with my history with this laptop.

Currently, the HD is my issue. 4 HD failing in not quite 3 years is appalling to me. Two different brands, the last being one that was recommended to me by an IT friend.

I may try one more HD (I have been accused of being stubborn). Sounds like WD may be worth looking into.

Thanks again all who helped.

jej1216

 

I would recommend Seagate hard drive. Haven't let me down yet.

 

Oh , in that case I'd say give the hard drive a try. Good luck.