> > Depends on what the click is. Cant tell from here But being able to hear the click > is > > usually not a good sign. It may be worth look at the SMART data from the drive. If > > you see crc errors and many reallocated sectors, its time... > > > I've already disassembled the laptop... But this does interest me. I have no clue how > to go about doing something like that (haven't even googled it yet). eta: hmm. > Doesn't look too complicated.
> > > > The one I just did the usb->hd cable I bought for 20 bucks came with a bit of > > software to clone the whole HD and make the partitions bigger that needed to be. At > > that point it was just a part swap. > > > As foolish as it probably was - I didn't make a media backup when I first received > the system. But I did make a System Repair disc (burned to a DVD), and made a system > back-up to an external HD. I'm thinking that is not related to a disc to re-install > the OS...? > > eta: Then again, it might be. Reading the Dell website I'm under the impression that > I'm probably not screwed.
That is exactly what that disc is. I usually just buy one from them. They are usually 10-20 bucks. And I can keep the ~20gig of space for something else. As the restore discs will usually recreate that partition.