Resolved Toshiba Laptop with HDD Error

I have a Toshiba Satellite A300 with a HDD that is throwing up a BSOD error 0xF4 - 0x3, etc. I have ran all the tests and find that there is a problem on the HDD.

As the rest of the machine tested fine I am thinking that I can replace the drive with a new one. Problem is, it is Vista Home Prem and I don't have the installation disks, it's on the recovery partition. [memo to self - make a set of recovery CD's next time]

I pulled the drive, hooked it up to my IBM - XPP desktop, backed up all data and can read the contents of the recovery folder. I can even start the Disk Creator installation but it won't install - likely because it is XP.

Question - does anyone think I could clone the drive onto a new HDD and have it work in the laptop or at least plug it in and create a set of recovery disks?

Thanks in advance

 

This is true although I would have to invest in the 2.5" HDD first which is a $100 wasted expense if it doesn't work.

I was also thinking that I could clone it to a SATA 3.5" drive on my IBM and then attach the 3.5" drive to the Toshiba but I don't have a power cable (mind you I don't know if the laptop would be able to power the 3.5" drive even if I did.

 

You could always do it the other way and, for about $10 (I expect, it's £6 here) buy a 2.5" to 3.5" adaptor, and fit the Toshiba HDD into your IBM... And this adaptor could well come in handy in future as well.

 

The Toshiba specifications I can see, say that the A300 has

You can get an external eSATA enclosure which, when connected as eSATA is the same as having a second HDD.

If you cannot clone the whole drive (because of possible errors), look at cloning the recovery partition from the old HDD. The cloning program needs to be quite good to pick up the "hidden partition" information so that it will run the reimaging program.

Do Error Checking (CHKDSK) on the HDD. I wonder about doing it from a Windows XP system. If you can get Vista loaded on the new HDD, run the checking from that.

If you cannot clone at all, you should be able to get recovery disks from Toshiba Edit: If it is under warranty you should be able to talk them into giving them to you free.

Matt

 

I think it would be cheaper to buy a 2.5" to 3.5" adaptor and do it that way, at least it would be for me.

 

Thanks for the advice thus far

I can hook the 2.5" drive up to my IBM without need for any adapters. I just connect it via the SATA connections for drive and power and it is just another drive in My Computer. I could clone it on to a 3.5" SATA drive I have but I tried to run the Disk Creation software from the 2.5" drive when it was connected but it won't run on the IBM.

Connecting the 3.5" drive back to the Toshiba doesn't work as I don't have a power connector that will go from the Toshiba to the drive. I can use the SATA drive cable to connect the drive to the laptop but need a power cable.

I also had the thought that I could connect the power from the IBM to the 3.5" cloned drive and the drive cable to the laptop to see if that would work. I don't imagine that it would hurt to try.

I have a 2.5 - 3.5 IDE adapter but not for the SATA drives and living out in the hinterland means I have to drive a couple of hours to pick up anything computer related.

 

Yes, Arie I did say that however after reading on about the 0xF4 - 0x3 BSOD I understand that the 0x3 refers to a hardware issue but I really don't know for sure if the problem is solely in the HDD. While the memory tested fine and the CPU stress test came back OK I am wondering if the problem might be in the MOBO.

While I recognize that the least expensive way to go is a new HDD I could also be talked into another machine (I really am not in love with this one). I have access to off lease IBM machines (under 1 year in age, some with original factory warranty) for just 3 - 4 hundred dollars more.

 

Sounds like you haven't tested the motherboard, graphics card or indeed anything else that could be causing the fault...

 

In the end I decided to replace the machine.

Thanks all for your contributions.