My old toshiba wouldn't start up (having laid idel for a number of months, and worked ok last time I tried it).

It wouldn't start up, so I tried the toshiba recovery disk.

It comes up asking if I want to recovery the laptop, warning I'll oose all my data etc., it starts the process then after about 2 seconds it comes up with "error checking for a player partiion".

This is couple with a very unhealthy sounding rattling / clicking noise immediatley after its powered up.

Is it totally gone ...... does this sound familiar to anyone? Is it even worth getting fixed, or is it going to be good money after bad?

Spec here: http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/jsp/SUPPORTSECTION/discontinuedProductPage.do?service=UK&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&PRODUCT_ID=106418

THanks.

Sounds like a dead hard drive, you should be able to get a replacement for a couple of K Baht (depending upon capacity).

If the machine is in good condition and is adequate for your applications I'd fix it.

Install a new disk, as Crossy said, they are cheap enough.

Load the OS.

Pop the old drive in an external usb case and try to recovery any data you need

Some shops may even let you pop the disc in before purchase to see if it works.

I have the Toshiba OS disc here, I can send you a link when you get to that stage. Then you can just download, extract and burn the Toshiba Drivers(from their website) on to a CD and you will have a full recovery solution.

Couple of thousand baht is worth it. Spring for a new battery from HK and another 512MB of RAM and you'll have a springy new laptop for not much over 3000 baht.

Standard battery here for just over 1000 baht. If you want extended life, look for 6600mAh or 8800mAh.

Coincidentaly I dropped off my Toshiba M50 at a guy I use at Pantip yesterday because it was running slow. Just got a call that it needed a hard drive. I was told about 1200 for a 160 and about 2000 for a 320 gig hard drive, but he hasn't actually bought it yet.....

Seems pretty cheap, I'll let you know how it goes.