How can I tell if the HD is dead?

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shareware46 Posts 3 Registration date Sunday 8 May 2016 Status Member Last seen 8 May 2016 - 8 May 2016 à 17:50
xpcman Posts 19528 Registration date Wednesday 8 October 2008 Status Contributor Last seen 15 June 2019 - 9 May 2016 à 13:02
My God daughter was running a Gateway NV5 when she droped it on the floor. I wont come on now, just says trying to repair the flashes some screen images for a spit second and then grey screen. How can I check the HD?
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2 responses

Ambucias Posts 47312 Registration date Monday 1 February 2010 Status Moderator Last seen 28 March 2026 11,166
8 May 2016 à 18:09
Greetings,

I strongly believe that a forum will not be able to diagnose nor help you repair the issue.

When a laptop gets a blow, all kinds of things can get damaged or displaced especially on the motherboard. It could be one or a few parts or circuits. Then again the screen lights or its inverter may also have been damaged.

I truly believe that a qualified technician could help you in the matter that concerns you.

Good luck
shareware46 Posts 3 Registration date Sunday 8 May 2016 Status Member Last seen 8 May 2016
8 May 2016 à 20:33
I appreciate your answer. I could probably get another one at a hock shop for $150. It would probably cost more than that to repair it. Thanks for the advice.

shareware46
xpcman Posts 19528 Registration date Wednesday 8 October 2008 Status Contributor Last seen 15 June 2019 1,824 > shareware46 Posts 3 Registration date Sunday 8 May 2016 Status Member Last seen 8 May 2016
9 May 2016 à 13:02
be sure you have any passwords and that the computer works before you buy.
xpcman Posts 19528 Registration date Wednesday 8 October 2008 Status Contributor Last seen 15 June 2019 1,824
8 May 2016 à 18:13
You can remove the hard drive and use a USB drive adapter to try reading it on another computer. If it's a SATA drive you can often connect it directly to an internal SATA port and power cable on a desktop computer.

What is the brand name of the drive? Some manufacturers have diagnostic software that is specific to their brand name drives.

Given the messages I would say there is a 90% chance the drive is damaged.

Good Luck
shareware46 Posts 3 Registration date Sunday 8 May 2016 Status Member Last seen 8 May 2016
8 May 2016 à 20:31
That was my first thought also. Thank you for the reply. I believe a new one will be as cheap as fixing this one,

shareware46