Tower hard drive replacement

Have a computer that keeps giving me the blue screen after about 5min of use. Was told it was probably the hard drive. Drive that is in it was a wd10eadx-22tdhb0. What kind of SSD do you think I should replace it with? We mostly use it for school work and occasional Netflix usage.

 

Why do you think it's the HD? I like western digital drives.

 

Whenever it gets up to speed so to speak (Netflix/YouTube buffering), it gives me the blue screen. Of course I am illiterate short of using it and pulling an item out and sliding a new one in its place.

 

It's also a drive from 2010ish so that could be part of the problem (pre SSD)

 

could be any of the hardware. do you here any clicking noise?

Run disk health check.

Ram test. could be anything.

might just be a bad driver

 

I woukd question the RAM (ready access memory). Hard drives will have bad sectors or make noises at times when they go bad. The blue screen makes me think RAM, as it crashes when "under load" so to speak. Over heating can/will also give you the blue screen of death.

 

I considered ram as well. Probably just do both.

 

I suspect RAM, most newer systems have built in Memory (RAM) and Hard drive diagnostics built into the BIOS or UEFI. Start with these before you start swapping components.

 

Ram appears to be the cheaper route to start.

 

I suspect either thermal overload or memory issues as well. I don't think it would necessarily be CPU since (IIRC, could be wrong) the proc either can do a limp mode or sends some sort of obvious error message, but it's been quite some time since I've had a bad CPU issue.

List is in order of easiest to more involved

1. Try a different browser (Chrome, IE, Firefox, etc.)
2. Clean the case with compressed air (just because - now is a good time and removes any dust issues)
3. Checking for any fans that may be dead. It probably isn't enough to make the difference, but doesn't hurt to try something simple.
4. Run with the case cover off and try your Netflix test, maybe internal case temp is super high. This is another long shot, but very easy
5. If you have an Intel CPU, try their diagnostic tool. I think this is the link for AMD, but I haven't ran AMD for many years
6. If you have more than one RAM stick installed, try running a single stick of RAM. swap them out and repeat your Netflix test until an error is found or you've tested all sticks
   
7. Run a memory test (takes a long time, but you don't need to be around for it to work)
8. If you have spare parts, or you can steal from another computer, try to swap the video card and do your Netflix test

Oh, and one other thing - most hard drives come with a warranty, or at least they used to. Back in the day, the warranties were typically 5 years. If you filled out an RMA and shipped them the drive, they would send you a brand new one, easy peasy.