[Wolfeymole]

With the majority of the data backed up then let the Dell guy take it although I reckon they will tell you the same thing as we have after examination, but you never know you may get a new drive out of them, fingers crossed.

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Try swapping the SATA cable and ports as I suggested and while you do this remove the MBs CMOS battery for a few moments and then replace it just in case of a bad MB setting, if no joy the drive is definitely hosed.

NB: As an asides can I ask if the HDD activity LED flickers at any time when you power up etc.

[phillpower2]

Try swapping the SATA cable and ports as I suggested and while you do this remove the MBs CMOS battery for a few moments and then replace it just in case of a bad MB setting, if no joy the drive is definitely hosed.

NB: As an asides can I ask if the HDD activity LED flickers at any time when you power up etc.

[screen_name2]

Hey Phil. The HDD LED light turns on when you power up, but does not flicker. What does that mean?

In regards to changing the SATA cables, ports and battery, should I just ask the tech guy to try that before replacing it? I probably could change out the hard drive myself, but I don't want to make things any worse because the battery is located underneath the motherboard, so I'd have to take that out as well, and that might be beyond my reach.

[phillpower2]

The LED being on tells us that the HDD is getting power, the LED not flickering means that no data is being read and that the HDD is frozen.

There are various models of the Dell XPS both desktop and notebook can you tell us what the number of your computer is XPS 8500 or XPS 15 for example, once we know the details we can advise what to do next.

[screen_name2]

Hey Phil. It's an XPS 9100

[phillpower2]

As in http://www.theverge....o-xps-9100/1024

[screen_name2]

Yup - that is the one.

[phillpower2]

The following checks require the computer case to be opened so take the following safety precautions 1st, disconnect the power cord from the wall socket and take anti static precautions before touching anything inside, you can do this by touching a bare metal part of the case.

A step by step guide http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_hard.htm

[screen_name2]

Hey Phil. Thanks for the step by step guide. I printed it out and am considering doing in there today. I'll keep you posted.

[phillpower2]

Hello screen_name2

You are welcome and any questions along the way let us know

[screen_name2]

Thanks Dave. I'm going to try the Thermaltake Max 5 Drive tonight.

I also booted Ubuntu from a USB and when I shut down this appeared...

Any thoughts on this attachment?

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[phillpower2]

Thanks Dave. I'm going to try the Thermaltake Max 5 Drive tonight.

I also booted Ubuntu from a USB and when I shut down this appeared...

Any thoughts on this attachment?

Not sure who Dave is screen_name2

[screen_name2]

lol - sorry Phil. I've clearly lost my wits without my hard drive

I installed the new hard drive yesterday, so the computer is back to normal.

I put the old hard drive into an external enclosure and it didn't show up on either computer I tried it on. I plugged it into the back USB ports, and still got nothing on either one.

So I assume data recovery is the next step?

Edited by screen_name2, 05 June 2013 - 07:22 AM.

[phillpower2]

Yep misbehaving computers can have that affect on you I`m afraid

Glad to hear that swapping the HDD went ok but sorry that the original appears a lost cause.

Was there any sign of life from the HDD when you tried it in the enclosure.

[screen_name2]

Absolutely nothing.

I even asked the tech guy to hook it up when he came, and still - no signs of life.