[Closed] STW IT Crowd:Cannot install any OS on my laptop

I'd say you have write errors 😉

You can boot from windows or linux CD and then run a disk check from there which might fix it.

IF it were me I'd reformat the disk first and then run the disk check.

But, ime, once you start gettign write errors it doesn't get any better and new hard drives are pretty cheap from ebay.

I know exactly what you mean, but the wierd thing is, using hirens boot disk, I have run every HD test known to man and its all fine..

I had huge problems with my wifes laptop and read/write issues. It was foing the windows black scren of death regularly, would work fine for a week and then start throwing random read/write errors.

Replaced the drive for £40 and all has been well since.

Only thing I did do was make sure I took a data backup when I got it booted off a cd one last time and it was still working ok.

this one of the kids ones so no important data, but yeah I think new hard drive is necc. cheers.

Probably worth doing a full format - that's the option on the install that isn't "quick". That should retest the disk as it goes.

But yeah, it sounds like it's broke, that.

Have formatted, wiped, dban the works.

Fair enough. Sounds like it's broke, that. (-:

Is it new enough to support EHCI? If so, you'll need to disable that in BIOS (might be worded as "IDE compatibility" or something, which needs enabling instead). You can revert it after the install, once you've got the drivers installed.

Sod windows.... Linux is your future...

Installing Linux appears to render you unable to read, so I'm oot.

Tried a couple of linux distros on cd they also fell over for write errors. So I put the linux distros on a bootable USB, again halfway through install it again complains of write errors..

Used to have one of those in work ages ago, went thru a number of disks on it before IT put it down when it went for the third time.

Sorry. My bad.

Could it be just the case of replacing the hard drive.

Or could it be the battery on the motherboard clock? Depends on the age of the motherboard I suppose, and how accessible via many fridge attractive screws....?!

If the clock on the motherboard goes wobbly it has a very profound effect although symptoms are random as the is can not find anything as their time stamps would be wonky. Logic goes bye bye

Sorry, I don't mean to be an arse. I just tire of the "Linux" bleat every time someone poses a Windows question.

Tryed to reinstall windowsxp, it kept complaining about write errors from the disk. Tried a couple of linux distros on cd they also fell over for write errors. So I put the linux distros on a bootable USB, again halfway through install it again complains of write errors..

I know exactly what you mean, but the wierd thing is, using hirens boot disk, I have run every HD test known to man and its all fine..

Faulty RAM is probably the problem. At least take it out and reseat it, after blowing off any dust or crud.

Cougar, in their defence, I did try and install linux too....
Anyway, I really do appreciate all of your suggestions. Will try the ram thing too.
I've removed the hard drive and tested it in windows using a usb hard drive reader and windows says its fine. Bum. So poss ram issue.

Faulty RAM is probably the problem. At least take it out and reseat it, after blowing off any dust or crud.

's a good point actually. Have a punt with memtest+ .

Well intersting times. Imformatted the hard drive in windows using my usb hd reader as ex fat. Then put it back in the laptop ( its a ruddy ide ffs thats how old it is) whacked the ubuntu cd in, and it has all installed, reformatted as ext2 and its running pretty as a picture... so far.

Update. it fell over again in short order. Trampus you are right. Faulty ram . It fails every ram test known to mankind.

STW more useful than a really useful thing.
😀

yup some smart bunnies on here

I just have to find some cheap 1.8v ramm now.

HTH, toys19. The symptoms you described are the classic ones for this.

Read/write error reports refer to system [i]memory[/i].

People seem to forget that a hdd is just another form of memory. The system does not differentiate between it and RAM when it reports an error.

toys - what spec ram? I have some old stuff clogging up the desk...

EDIT: 512MB DDR2 SO-DIMM PC2 5300 667MHz - your's gratis if it fits.

trampus cheers for the info.
stoner bang on! as long as its 1.5v cl 5

from the sticker:

Samsung
512MB 1Rx16 PC2-5300S-555-12-C3

M470T6464QZ3-CE6 0848

I'll do some googling, as Im sure will you...

ah, 1.8v 🙁

http://www.arrow.com/item/detail/samsung-semiconductor/m470t6464qz3-ce6

no, I meant 1.8v!! Perfect!

great. drop me a pm with your address and I'll bung it in the post on this afternoon's skool run.

EDIT: At this rate STW could put PCWorld out of business: Effective IT fault diagnosis [i]AND[/i] spare parts. You wont find [u]that[/u] at PCWorld 😀

have mailed you. I've got lots of spares anything you need?

I've a 1 GB of 5300 stuff that probably probably just sit in my draw till it gets binned, if you want it too? (should be two memory slots)

zippy, that would be awesoem, there are two slots!

Shame it doesn't have three slots, toys19, because I've found some, too!

Your laptop will recognise up to 2gb in total.

I do like a happy ending! 🙂

Awesome, you lot rule! A small boy is going to be back on line.

A small boy is going to be back on line.

Searching for [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/8-year-olds-inappropriate-internet-usage-boob-content ]"Nacked Women"[/url] inevitably! 😀

indeed!

Stoner - module arrived, os installing as we speak, life is sweet. Thanks.

8)

[img] [/img]

so all systems go?

have you got still got a spare slot?

Has just finished installing, went in super fast so things appear to be better , will see but the signs are good. Yup spare slot. But that is coming.
I very much appreciate your kindness, devon air ambulance is a fiver richer.

top stuff, cheers

Final update. 4 hrs later, no crashing, all good.
Ta muchly to all for you for your advice and kindness.
Now to set a safe search lock in ubuntu...

Nice one! 😀