[jrhuffsr]

dell laptop crashed diags show dst test fail error code 2000-0146 any help as to what the code means would be appreciated. ready to trash the dell after less than a year.

[Mark1956]

That error suggests a problem with the hard drive. Make this diagnostics disc on another PC and then boot the faulty machine with it in the drive.


Open Internet Explorer and click on this: Seatools

Save the download to your desktop.

In Windows 7 right click the ISO file, select Open With, then select Windows Disc Image Burning Tool then follow the prompts.
For all other versions of windows (if you do not have an ISO burner) download this free software. ImgBurn Install the program and start the application. Select the top left hand option to Write image file to disc and then on the next window click on the small yellow folder icon and browse to the ISO file on your desktop. Then click on the two grey discs with the arrow in between (bottom left) and leave it to complete the operation.

You will need a blank recordable CD or a re-recordable CD. You cannot use this software on a USB flash drive.

When the CD has been burned boot the PC into the Bios setup and set the CD/DVD drive to 1st in the boot sequence. Insert the disk in the drive then reboot and the disc will load into DOS. Click on Basic Tests and select the Long Test.

A full set of instructions can be found here: Seatools instructions

When the test completes it will show a Pass or Fail.

[jrhuffsr]

used seatool as instructed. No warranty as it is a ATI drive but anyway it failed the short and long test. Do you think it would be feasable to buy a new drive for the laptop or just chunk it? Would like to try and have info recovered although nothing but photos and such. Thanks

[Lance1]

Originally Posted by jrhuffsr

used seatool as instructed. No warranty as it is a ATI drive but anyway it failed the short and long test. Do you think it would be feasable to buy a new drive for the laptop or just chunk it? Would like to try and have info recovered although nothing but photos and such. Thanks

Have you made recovery disks? If not, I would do that right a way. How old is the DELL? Whats the make and model?

[Mark1956]

You should be able to remove your personal data with this as long as the drive is not completely inoperable. Ubuntu Live CD to back up files from your dead Windows As long as there are no other problems with the PC then replacing the drive would be worthwhile.

If you have only had the system for a year from new you are very unfortunate to have the drive fail but that is the most common component to wear out, even with heavy use you should have had a few more years out of it.