Do laptops have a 2-year built in obsolescence? Can't launch Windows suddenly

[greko]

Hiya, newbie here, pleased to meet y'all !

 

Can anyone advise please? When switching on my Hewlit Packard laptop it suddenly won’t launch Windows. I get the black screen saying Windows didn’t start successfully and I should either let it count down and start or click on ‘start Windows normally’

 

Now last time it closed it was as normal, I closed it down and it did its usual procedure and there was no forcing it off etc. I’ve left it trying over and again but it will not launch Windows and just keeps repeating the whole thing. One thing, when it shows the blue Windows XP screen, it clicks a little as it tries to launch just before dropping back to the black screen.

 

Am I right in thinking these laptops have a built-in obsolescence as this seems to happen every couple of years to whatever brand I buy? Am I yet again forced to just dump it and buy yet another or can anyone tell me exactly what caused this and how it can be repaired? I ask as I’m in Greece and can take it to a shop that claims to repair computers but I would like to see if they diagnose the same or just say I need a new one!!

 

PS Not a tiny bit bit techy so please reply in simple terms if you can help.

In hopes and with good wishes - greko

[KenB]

Hi again

 

Am I right in thinking these laptops have a built-in obsolescence

They don't have "built in obsolescence" as you suggest - although you may be forgiven for thinking that if you need to replace them regularly after 2 years :)

[i am using one now that is a good 4 - 5 years old]

 

it clicks a little as it tries to launch

This doesn't sound good.

A clicking hard drive is a dying ( or dead ) hard drive.

..............excuse the pun :)

 

Is this what yours is doing ?

 

If you have recovery disks it is possible to insert a new hard drive and re-install from the disks.

Do you have these?

Or better still - a full installation disk ?

[greko]

THANKU for responding. It doesn't look like I have the recovery disks, I found two DVDs but I think they are blank as it says on the paperwork that I was supposed to make my own back up disks and I assume they popped these in for me to use. Of course I didn't, anything techy scares me to death so I suppose I've stupidly gone along hoping for the best.

 

Also, I didn't think you could replace anything in laptops, only PCs... see what I know! I wouldn't dare open it anyway so probably best I, yet again, buy a new one. Will be a PC this time though, might last a bit longer!

 

Happily I have always backed up my files and pics etc to an external hard drive. So at least that isn't a worry, just the cost of a new PC and all the bits you have to buy extra. BTW I'm writing this on a Netbook I bought to use whilst travelling to and from Greece. Just hoping it will stand in til Spring when we go back to the UK! Will take laptop into a couple of guys I used to work with who started their own computer business, if anyone can save it, they will.

 

BIG thanks for confirming though and for offering alternatives, just don't think I'm up to doing any 'repairs' myself.

 

cheers

Greko

[KenB]

Hi

 

By the time you add up the cost of a hard drive and a operating system you may as well buy a new machine.

 

The guys who started their own business may well be able to get it going for you relatively cheaply.

 

There is no guarantee that the clicking is a hard drive - it could be a fan on a loose wire.

( this would be considerably faster than the video posted )