Long DST Failure

[AustinP]

I got this computer from a friend because it had an hdd failure message so i replaced the hard drive with one that I KNOW works because i was just using it in another pc and the new drive won't pass the Long DST,  any ideas why a new hdd is also failing

[Huffer]

Could be the SATA controller on the motherboard is bad such that no drive will work. Error messages also sometimes get stuck in the BIOS and a hard reset will clear it. Remove battery and AC hold down power button 30 seconds...then plug in just AC and power up and see if error is cleared. If not I think likely a bad motherboard. 

[AustinP]

I tried a hard reboot earlier, guess it might be a bad motherboard,  that's unfortunate. 

[Huffer]

Yes sorry. Try reseating the hard drive one more time. 

[AustinP]

I'll give that a shot in just a bit. Thanks.

[Huffer]

Its an extreme Hail Mary longshot but what do you have to lose?

[AustinP]

Do you know if the processor can be removed from these laptops? I know some have them welded on.

[Huffer]

Not that one. Its definitely soldered on. You can probably pick up a used one on eBay for less than $100. It was not very expensive new. 

[AustinP · Accepted solution]

Took the pc apart again, swapped the SATA cable for a new one, still no good, I'm assuming the motherboard is shot, ah well.