> > Sadly, with the past 2 or 3 months I've been getting an error message on (or
> before?)
> > start-up, "PXE-E61: Media Test Failure, Check Cable".
> >
That sounds like it is trying to boot up off your network
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preboot_Execution_Environment
You may be able to change the boot order in your bios/efi setup screens and bump the PXE boot down below your regular HD.
If your HD is really going then it may be skipping it and dropping down to the PXE boot hence the error.
> > If it would fail to boot - I could hear the HD clicking(?). This would also happen
> > just before it would crash.
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...
> >
> > The laptop is a Dell Inspiron N5110.... & there isn't a "cable" to check -per'se.
> >
> >
> > So, is replacing the HD with an SSD possible?
> >
> > Would that even help? (I have made a back-up and repair disc)
>
> possible. likely even an improvement.
>
> The only thing to watch out for on the Dell is they sometimes had a special
> recovery/boot stripe on the drive. if you are doing a fresh install of an OS it won't
> matter though.
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.
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Re: Replacing a laptop Hard-Drive w/ a SSD?
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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...
crap.. edit
