How to know if your hard drive needs to be replaced?

My Compaq CQ56 laptop will not turn on properly, and I have found through some research that it may be a hard drive. I have run all of the tests in BIOS and it came back as good, but I'm not sure that it is.
The computer will turn on sometimes, but not all the time. When I hit the power button, the power light comes on along with the WiFi light, which glows red. Sometimes the caps lock light comes on as well. The fan will run and the hard drive can usually, but not always be heard. The display stays black. I have already tried to connect it to an external monitor without success.
The memory modules also came back as good through BIOS tests and physical tests that were suggested by an HP support article.
If it is not a hard drive, what could it be?

Just jumping in as , is unavailable. As I understand it, your situation improved until you had those System updates go through. At this point, I would suggest you start with a hard reset, and see if the system starts properly.HP Notebook PCs - Computer Does not Start (Windows 7, Vista, XP) If after the reset it is working then you should be good; if there is a new error state, such as flash codes or beep patterns let me know. If it starts up, but you are experiencing other performance issues, you can always try a System restore to a point before those updates went through. You just need to select a restore point before the date that the update occurred, and then test again. Using Microsoft System Restore (Windows 7)
Let me know if this helps at all.

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HT2173 How to know when a hard drive has failed ?

How to know when a hard drive has failed ?

Machine doesn't boot. You experience strange crashes. Gets wrong results. Your harddrive is five or more years old. Time to consider repacing it.   You do have backup?
You may want to run these "standard" fixes if the problem persists.
1) Check the amount of free space on your harddrive. You should have a several gigs free.
2) You should run disk utility
     a) verify the disk
     b) update your permissions.
3) Try a safe boot.
    Shutdown your machine. Hold down the shift key. Poweron. Wait awhile Wait awhile while you harddrive
      is being checked.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455
4) You may want to run applejack to clean up your machine.
     http://applejack.sourceforge.net/
a lot more ways to fix your Mac.
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/faqs.html
verify & repair your startup drive
To verify & repair you file system on the startup drive, you will need to run disk utility from you installation DVD.
This article will tell you how to get to disk utility. Once in a disk utility, you can go and attempt to recover the disk.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417
To repair your startup drive, you will need to run disk utility from your startup DVD.
Mac OS X 10.4: About the utilities available on the Mac OS X 10.4 Install DVD
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2055
How to run disk utility from your startup DVD.
Insert your startup DVD into your reader. Power down your machine. Hold down to the c key. Power on your machine. This will bootup your startup DVD.
This will bring you to a panel asking you for your language. Pick your language.
You you come to the Install Mac OS panel. Do not install.
Click on Utilities menu item. This will give you a pulldown list of utilities.
Click on the disk utility.
You are now in disk utility. Pick your disk. Click on repair it should be on the lower right of the panel.
Once the repair completes successfully, you should update your permissions.
Verify a disk
As an alternative, you can verify that the filesystem on the disk is correct. You will not be able to repair the file system.
I suggest that you use disk utility to verify that your startup disk is OK.
Macintosh-HD -> Applications -> Utilities -> Disk Utility
Start up disk utility. On the left pane view, you will see a list of all your disks.
Click on your startup disk.
Click on the First Aid Tab.
Click on verify.
Hopefully your disk will verify. If not, you have to boot from your installation DVD and run Disk Utility from there to attempt to repair your file-system.

My hard drive needed to be replaced for my iMac. When I move the photos from my portable hard drive back into iPhoto, the pictures show up small and I can't adjust them. How do I fix the pictures so they are full size again?

My hard drive needed to be replaced on my iMac. When I try to move the photos from my portable hard drive back onto the Mac, they are small and can't be edited or made any larger. How can I fix them?

YOu restore your phone from your icloud backup.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766

How do you put your hard drive from an old computer to your new mac?

how do you put your hard drive from an old computer to your new mac?
i want to get the pictures, etc off of my old mac onto my new mac desktop. how can i do this?

You don't.
How to use Migration Assistant:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4889?viewlocale=en_US
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4413?viewlocale=en_US
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1963
Troubleshooting Firewire target disk mode:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

Acrobat Pro 9 for mac won't launch, reloaded from disk when hard drive needed to be replace. It's in applications folder but there is an X on the Acrobat Reinstall icon. What should I do.

Acrobat Pro 9 for mac won't launch, reloaded from disk when hard drive needed to be replace. It's in applications folder but there is an X on the Acrobat Reinstall icon. What should I do.

Hi Janice,
What version of Mac OS are you using?
Adobe does not recommend migrating the software from one disk to the other.
Please run the setup file for Acrobat and reinstall the software. You might want to delete the existing version of Acrobat installed before reinstalling it.
Regards,
Rave

How do you know when your hard drive is failing

Having trouble turning on computer and computer freezing and getting a blue screen. Videos freeze. Do I need a new hard drive for my Imac Hard drive has errors.

Boot your machine with the install disc that came with it, launch Disk Utility and repair the disk. If that passes, then boot your machine with the supplied Apple Hardware Test disc and run the extended tests, at least twice. If that passes, download and run Rember,

How do you get your hard drive icon and external drives to show up on your desktop?

I like to have access to my hard drives on my desktop. How do I get it so I see them on my desktop. I believe in older Mac Operating Systems they were there automatically?

Corrupt hard drive needs to be replaced?

I WAS TOLD BY BEST BUY GEEK SQUAD WHEN I TOOK MY LAPTOP TO THEM A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT MY HARD DRIVE IS CORRUPTED AND I NEED TO REPLACED IT. IS IT TRUE THAT I HAVE TO REPLACED MY HARD DRIVE AND THEN USE MY RECOVERY DISC WHICH I DON'T HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM?

Hi:
It depends on what the hard drive diagnostics test reported, as to whether or not it needs to be replaced, or if only the operating system needs to be restored.
You can probably order recovery disks from HP for your notebook, but without knowing the full model number of it, I would not be able to provide any further details.
If you do not know the full model number of your notebook, then please read the guide at the link below for how to find out that info.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00033108&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en

How do I clone my hard drive, I want to replace my early 2008 MBP 15"?

I want to know what is the correct way to clone my early 2008 MacBook Pro hard drive, I own SuperDuper. I want to clone the original hard drive and then replace the hard drive with a new 7200 rpm, I have heard the best way to this is to clone the original hard drive, and then once the new hard drive is installed migrate the clone back to the new hard drive.
Can some either give me the steps to this or point where I can get detailed information on how to do this.
As always thanks in advance.
Kindest Regards,
Sebastian

Since you have SuperDuper already, it's simple.
1) Connect an external drive, launch SuperDuper and run a backup (SmartBackup is fine, too).
2) Swap out the drives in the MBP.
3) Connect the external drive to the MBP and boot from it (hold option key at startup).
4) Launch SuperDuper, click the Restore tab, and Restore from the boot drive to the new internal drive.

I am looking to back up my MAC, and I need to know how big of an external hard drive I need

I am looking to back up my MAC, and I need to know how big of an external hard drive I need. How do I determine this?

Well, they recommend at least 2 - 3 times the size of your hard drive if you are using Time Machine because that keeps making backups until it runs out of space (and then deletes the oldest to make room for the newest).
However, if you prefer to have a bootable clone as a backup, you need about the same size as your hard drive since it is a perfect copy of your system (unless you want to partition and keep an older clone separately).
So, check to see how large your hard drive is and go from there.

I need to update to OS X ..... but I need to backup my system first. How do I know what exterior hard drive I need in order to do this?

How do I find out what size exterior hard drive I need to back up my system?

Click on the Apple icon on menu bar and select About this Mac. Click on the Storage button. Look at how much space your hard drive is currently consuming take that number and at least double it. This would be your minimum space for your hard drive back up. Or for a simpler answer, if your hard drive is 1TB in size, get a 2TB external hard drive for backups.

How to create a repository(not just custom) using your hard drive

I don't know if many people know about this, so I am giving this a shot. There are three major articles on wiki.archlinux.org: Custom local repository,
Using a CD-ROM as a repository, and Offline Installation of Packages. These are available online through the WIKIs at archlinux.org.
I was first confused because when I was reading "Offline installation of packages", I didn't know what these ".db.tar.gz" files where. I came mainly from a Debian / Ubuntu
background (I actually tried many distros before this), so getting used to the way the repository works and no graphical install manager for it. However, I enjoyed a challenge and
I found out that these are database packages that contain descriptions and locations on where these files are located. The ones on the ftp server are already compiled. I don't know if,
however they are compiled with the most recent versions.
With all that said, I thought you had to have it all in one directory in order for this to work, but as it turns out, location is not really an issue. I decided to have a directory reside on the root.
I chose root because it's only for the install of my own packages. I could have done it as a seperate user account, such as "repos" in PCLinuxOS (another distro I tried). I didn't want to have a seperate account for this. Therefore, I created "/root/repository". Within this directory I created directories for all repository archives. I basically did a "cd /mnt/dvd" and migrated to the particular repository directories. I would copy all the "pkg.tar.gz" files into their respective directories with "cp * ~/repository/<name-of-dir>". For intance, I started with the "core" directory, because there was some things I didn't install in the core directory during installation and if the packages needed it, it was there. This follows for the rest of the directories, such as "community", "testing", and "unstable", etc.You can go to the ftp mirrors to find out what directories are available. The main point is that your files should be in the format ".pkg.tar.gz". These are package files that get converted into a sort of database format that as I mentioned, informs the system the description and where the files are located, and so on.
The command to perform this, is "tar -xvf /root/repository/core/core.db.tar.gz *.pkg.tar.gz". You can replace core with whatever repository you are adding. So, for example, "extra.db.tar.gz" would be in the "extra" directory. This information is located in the "Offline installation of packages". The command to create this database is called, "repo-add".
The format for this command is "repo-add /path/to/dir.db.tar.gz *.pkg.tar.gz". So, if it's the core packages you would "cd ~/repository/core" and "repo-add core.db.tar.gz *.pkg.tar.gz".
Then, you need to edit the "/etc/pacman.conf" configuration file for pacman. I basically would comment all out except for the repositories I need. So, for example "[core]" and "/etc/pacman.d/core" would tell where normally the servers are located for these files. This information is located int the "Custom local repository" article.using the "repo-add" command.
Furthermore, I edited each server file located in "/etc/pacman.d/<repository>" where repository is core, extra, etc. I would perform, "nano /etc/pacman.d/core" for example and comment out all servers. I then add a "local repository" by typing in "file:///root/repository/core", saved it, and then did a "pacman -Sy" to update the repository database. Now, I can do "pacman -S <package-name>" where package-name is whatever I wanted to install. Voila! Please let me know of any suggestions, questions, insights, or comments. I hope I'm not missing anything in this article. I do remember using "rm -rf * in the "/var/lib/pacman/<repository>"directories and using "tar xvf <repository>.db.tar.gz". I don't if that something to do with it, though. Be careful with the "rm -rf *" command, because you can erase your hard drive if you are not careful, for those who aren't informed.
P.S. Please note all these are done with the root user.

pressh wrote:
gradgrind wrote:
smitty wrote:pressh, I understand and appreciate your point of view... well taken! Are you implying that I should have written in steps, such as 1, 2, and 3? Also, should I have got ridden of the redundant information if it is contained in the Wiki article and / or taken out the commands on how to apply them and left only with the explanation? Is this what you imply? Sorry if I seem redundant with these questions, but I'm curious so I can improve for the future. I am new to this and open to any suggestion and comments.
Maybe you could either edit the existing wiki pages where they were not clear to you, or else add a new wiki page, or both. Certainly give the whole a clearer (visual) structure, and (if they don't already exist) add links between the connected wiki pages.
Yes that is partly what I mean. Further you could get rid of the information that is not really needed to follow the guide (for example what the command 'repo-add' does. People could if they are interested look it up in the script itself, or you could add it here and link to it).
And yes a bit of structure would be nice. You don't have to nessesarily call it 1,2,3, as long as it has some kind of structure in it (the visual point is very important here). You could take a look at existing wiki pages on the web and see how most of them (not all of them are good of course) are structured.
That's a good point, too. How do I found out what articles are more effective? I am doing research on this particular matter at the moment and came across articles that have tips on technical writing. Could this help in the long run? Or, is it better to get feedback from other users and improve that way? In other words, do first, and ask later, as one user point out?

I have a late 2008 Macbook Pro last updated to Mavericks OS. The screen died and it's not worth replacing. How do I remove the hard drive and use a drive sled to access info I need?

I have a late 2008 Macbook Pro last updated to the Mavericks OS. The screen died and I took it into an Apple store and was told replacing the screen and the hardware to repair everything would cost almost as much as buying a new laptop or a cheaper model. I was told that I can use a drive sled to access data I need on my hard drive. How do I remove my hard drive and use a drive sled to get to the information I need? What makes matters more complicated is I need to update my iPhone and my iTunes/App store purchases. How can I accomplish this?
My wife has a late 2008 Macbook Pro as well, which I am assuming I need to run my hard drive. Is there a way to just access just my hard drive without interfering with hers?
I know this is lengthy. Thanks to whoever looks at this and offers advice/instruction.

the device you need is an External enclosure for a 2.5" (laptop form factor) SATA drive.
A USB-interface enclosure will be slow, but is adequate for this task and for re-purposing as a backup drive later. A firewire-interface drive would be faster, but is harder to find, more expensive, and faster than needed for this purpose.
The drive will mount as an "extra" drive on your wife's Macbook, and you can drag and drop whatever you wish. You could create a separate Account for yourself on her computer, and use Migration Assistant or just copy your stuff over to the new account. Then it would not interfere with her files.

How do i know which hard drive to buy to replace my macbook 13"

how do i know which hard drive to buy to replace my macbook 13"

Any 2.5" form factor SATA drive will work.
For a new hard drive try Newegg.com http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=380&name=Laptop-Hard-Dr ives&Order=PRICE
Or OWC for regular hard drives and SSDs http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/2.5-Notebook/
Here are instructions on replacing the hard drive in a MacBook with a removable battery. http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=45088
Here are video instructions on replacing the hard drive on the Aluminum Unibody
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_13_unibody/
Here are video instructions on replacing the hard drive on the White Unibody http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_13_09_unibody_hd/
To transfer your current hard drive I like the free application SuperDuper. It makes a bootable copy of everything on your hard drive http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html You'll need a cheap SATA external hard drive case. Put the new drive in the case then format and partition the new drive and clone your old drive to the new one. Check that it's set up right by booting up from the external drive. Then replace your old hard drive with the new one and put your old one in the external case.
Here's a cheap SATA external hard drive case on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Vantec-NexStar-2-5-Inch-External-Enclosure/dp/B002JQNXZC/r ef=pd_cp_pc_0
If you don’t have the tools to open up the MacBook OWC has a set for $5
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TOOLKITMHD/

How do you save your DVD to your Hard Drive, and then convert to iPod?

Hello everyone, I was wondering how you save your DVD to your hard drive and then convert it to the iPod Video.
Please respond.
P.S.
I know that it's been discussed all the time, but none of the posts are useful for me.
Thanks

Hi,
The best option is to pull the card out and plug to your computer UNLESS your computer does not have a card reader. If your computer did not have a card reader, you need to map the cardreader on your printer to your network using the following method:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c00149194
Regards.
BH
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How to know if your hard drive needs to be replaced?

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