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So I dropped my Macbook

  • 08-05-2011 11:39PM
    #1
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,993 CMod ✭✭✭✭


    Picked up my Macbook (2009) a few hours ago and unfortunately I didn't notice the laptop case was open. And so my trusty Macbook became acquainted with our good friend Mr. Floor. It made an almighty clank.

    Anyway, panicked I turned it on to check it still functioned (hardwood floors being a cruel mistress). What seems to be the DVD drive made a few struggled whirrs when I turned it on, signalling the worst. But it started up as normal, thankfully. I did an instant backup of important materials just in case though. Displacing the accumulated between keys dirt seems to be the only noticable external effect, although I also noticed the top half seemed to spring open a wee crack when closed.

    Anyway, have turned it on twice, and the whirring continues for a few seconds when the laptop is booted up (it definitely sounds like the disc drive, but am concerned in case the HDD was damaged) but it's taking DVDs as normal. Still concerned though, any precautions - barring a backup - I should take? Is it worth opening it up and having a look-see if anythings majorly borked? Fingers crossed it doesn't bite the dust in the coming days or weeks!


Comments

  • #2
    Basq
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,115 ✭✭✭✭Basq


    You could use Disk Utility to verify how the disk is.

    Definitely take a backup of important stuff.


  • #3
    Deep Thought
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,652 ✭✭✭Deep Thought


    You could be lucky..happened to me aswell

    Fortunatley the Macs motion sensor realized it was falling and locked the HDD

    So all was well

    The narrower a man’s mind, the broader his statements.



  • #4
    Sad Professor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,713 ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    Yeah as Basq suggested, verify the hard disk in Disk Utility. Also check the SMART status while there (it's at the bottom and will either say verified or not). However, the hard drive could be failing without Disk utility finding anything wrong. If things start get slow, slow to boot or loads of spinning beach ball then that probably means the hd is on its way out. All you can really do is back everything up and wait and see.

    You can easily replace the hd if the worst happens though, so I'd be more concerned about everything else.


  • #5
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,993 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    Thanks for the advice guys. Ran disk utility there and the HDD 'appears to be OK', which is peculiar wording but in a welcome green font :) SMART is verified too.

    The whirring has stopped too, perhaps coincidentally after I put a DVD in to check the drive. So yeah I guess all I can do is wait and see, at the very least any important documents are backed up so a HDD failure wouldn't be catastrophic. Hell, a bigger one would be nice anyway!


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