need help picking a hard drive... dell xps l401x

hey guys,

my laptop has been dying on me. It's died three times in the last week. I was starting to think that it was a Windows update causing the problems, but this time it gave me a hard drive error.

I just don't understand how my problems would come from a bad hard drive because when I reinstall my computer it works fine for the first few days and then it seems like it always comes after a windows update that it just stops working (cannot restart, shutdown, ect... have to hold power button) and then when I start it back up it will not start up.

Anyway, I am just going to buy a new hard drive for it and see if that fixes the problem because it's becoming extremely irritating. I have all my files on the damn thing for school and I have to keep reinstalling the computer.

That said, I'd appreciate some help on what hard drive I need. I just don't understand the differences between 5200 and 7200 RPM and 8 MB cache and 16 MB cache. I can assume that the 7200 and 16mb are better, but how much better? Is it worth the extra money? Also, it has to be a internal drive.

The other problem is I need to pick one up tomorrow morning on my way to school. I need my laptop for school so I cannot order it online. I checked Staples' website and they have a few.

Thanks!

 

The 7200 RPM drive is always better. about any 9.5 mm drive should work. Any Sata III drive may revert to SATA II speeds but this will be ok. If you really want a faster device go with a Momentus XT 750 GB as this will give you also an internal 8GB SSD cache for the drive. Staples has those available on line, not sure if in your store though.

As far as why, what happens is on the new install you are using the outer tracks, as time goes on with updates and the like other tracks and sectors get used. Eventually you are hitting those bad sectors and bang, instant issues..........................

 

Any SATA HDD will do really, but i would go for a 7200RPM if it is a system drive, Windows will start faster, programs as well. You could run a chkdsk or load a utility that allows you to check SMART status like CrystalDiskInfo to check for problems on your hard drive.

EDIT: Gotta agree with the XT 750GB. If the store clerk goes what? When you say you want a Momentus XT 750GB, say you want a 750GB hybrid drive instead (some of the guys working there might be clueless sadly).

 

I can't get anything to run on it. Safe mode wouldn't even run.

The odd thing is I have a backup disc that is used to reinstall Windows and when I tried to run a repair/restore it was taking forever and I eventually just gave up.

I am just going to buy a new hard drive and if it doesn't fix the problem, I'll take it back and figure out something else. I'm just tired of fiddling with this damn Dell. I will never buy another Dell product. The product and customer service is beyond terrible.

Thanks for the help guys. As I said, I do not know much about this stuff, so I am just going to print out your responses and hand them to the Staples or Bestbuy guy and let him go looking for the stuff... haha

Thanks again!

 

Might want to remove that part:

Even if you're not the one who wrote that, it might not put the staples employee in good mood and not all of them are clueless.