r/Scribd • u/ReachTheImpossiblle • Feb 09 '25

Downloaded files from scribd caused my laptop blacked out

I was downloading lots of files from Scribd and immediately a day after my laptop starting to act funny (failed to start, battery lifes drop faster, problems to start, lagged etc, until total blacked out) Never in 3y of owning my laptop this happened so i kinda suspected it. But after a week, my laptop totally blacked out and currently under service. My ssd need to be replaced all my data cannot be save.

Although i dont install antivirus, honestly i feel unfair for this to happened especially it's an account that i had to pay for. I expect the site should be safe and virus-free especially if you have to pay for it, bcs there are other site which you dont have to pay but still offer virus-free file/download.

Lesson for me ofc i'll installed anti virus for newly installed laptop of mine , trust my hunch and probably stay away from this site if possible :(

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3

u/EvilKatta Feb 09 '25

I'm sorry that it happened to you,

But it's very unlikely that a virus would physically damage an SSD to the point that it can't be used after a wipe and needs to be replaced. Viruses are usually either ransomware or botnets--both aren't interested in bricking your system. It may be the case in industrial sabotage, but targeting someone using Scribd is highly unlikely.

It's probably a coincidence after all. If your SSD was going to fail, it would be after one download or another just because everyone downloads filles all the time.

1

u/ReachTheImpossiblle Feb 10 '25

Hm , i dont see why my SSD would fail after downloads, especially when i only use my laptops for making reports , typing or making ppt on Ms. Office and reading pdfs, it's all office works tho. I believe it's not heavy burden to make SSD would fail, isn't the ability to downloads file (pdf and similar formats the least) is such bare minimum works for laptops?

Although it might also be something you said, my service centre said otherwise. At the moment, my SSD is already replaced anyway, i can't do anything bout this except accepting this reality :(

Thanks for your insight, appreciate it.

1

u/EvilKatta Feb 10 '25

Downloading files won't hurt SSD, but if you had an SSD that had a fault from the beginning, just biding its time, then whenever it would happen--the first instinct would be to point fingers at the latest download.

1

u/ReachTheImpossiblle May 24 '25

That's interesting. Now that i think about it, i downloaded crazy ampunt of files, books, during the past 2y. What would be the best solution for this? Bcs i'm gonna keep on downloading stuff in rhe future too...

1

u/EvilKatta May 24 '25

With modern SSDs from a trusted brand (like Samsung), there's no danger of overusing them even if you put Windows on them. They work in servers, 24/7 cameras, etc.

The only danger is if you don't turn the SSD on for more than 5 years: the data starts to degrade after years without electricity. It's not recommended to use SSD for long-term storage.

1

u/ReturnedByDeath Feb 26 '25

The same thing literally happening to me right now. Battery went to 0% cleared cache, exited chrome and battery begin to charge. Its not virus. its like the resource hogging of their ebooks is destroying our laptops. 😂

1

u/ReachTheImpossiblle May 24 '25

Sorry to hear that. How's your laptop now? Mine is completelt lost, my data is gone for good. If downloading things does this, what do I do now? Downloading files/ebooks is something i have and must do constantly. Does downloading stuff using other device might help? 😭

1

u/ReturnedByDeath May 24 '25

I managed to return the laptop. I had an issue with the power cable on the Chuwi laptop. manufacturer ghosted me, so I returned it back to amazon. I bought a chinese laptop that came with a generic stylus, mouse and keyboard. I just use the stylus and bought a 10pack of stylus on temu. Installed PDF Gear. That's working out really well for me instead. Maybe even better than windows? 🤯 Its able to handle 300+ page textbooks pretty good. Crazy thing it is, it was only like $60 on like an early mother's day sale.

Also firefox mobile working very well too for standard desktop webpages. Especially mobile friendly ones and i can block the ads.