Sorry about the caps but I am in serious need of help here. My pc keeps telling me there is something wrong with my hard drive. I contacted Gateway and they told me to reformat the pc and I did but it is still giving me the same message "the pc has detected a problem with your hard drive please refer to your owner's manual". I do not have the owner's manual, I must have misplaced it when I moved. I have had this pc since 2000 and it's a Windows ME. What can I do to solve this matter? I do not wanna lose my files. My CD Rom won't even read any cds I put in there so I am not able to use any cds to save my files. I have saved some files on disk but I am scared that if the pc dies altogether, I won't be able to use those disks on another pc and then I won't be able to open my files. I am even afraid to turn off my pc tonight cause I think it won't turn on later but it's too hot. Any help I can get would be appreciated. Thank you very much.
2006-07-30 17:29:26 · 8 answers · asked by curious_boricua_soul 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
There is a clicking sound also. What does that mean? And also, what is the best site to go to for scanning viruses that might be in the system? If you work with computers I need your advice BIG time! If you don't, please don't bother answering me cause I need an expert who knows what he/she is talking about. Thank you!
2006-07-30 17:44:58 · update #1
If "reformat" was the exact word Gateway used, and what you did, yes, your files are already gone. If so, they owe you for a new drive with operating system installed AT THE VERY LEAST.
If this is the case, that's why your burner quit working: the drivers were deleted, too, during the reformatting process.
If your PC is overheating, [one of] your fan[s] has gone bad. Six years is pretty good for one of those to last, four is average. Usually less than $10.00 for a new one now. Fan MAY explain the clicking, too--it's either that, or, more likely, it's still TRYING to read your hard drive.
If your hard drive is still essentially intact, you may be able to "slave" it, and still save your info. [You'd likely have to get a friend to do it, as Gateways aren't usually set up to do this, unless you asked for it.] Sometimes even when your boot sectors are gone, the DRIVE-manufacturer [or certain services] can still retrieve at least some of the data.
You'll be able to use those backups disks you have on any other drive, so long as you have compatible software, simply backed-up single or small sets of files, and didn't use the "drive image" option--it works something like System Restore, but ONLY for THAT system, typically. You may be able to find an IDENTICAL drive, but it's a haystack prospect these days.
If you still don't want to turn it off, do what you can to "vent" it, and bring portable fans as close to it as you can to help keep it cool. Be warned, this only works for a few days.
[The truth: turning it off at this point won't really matter, and it may keep more damage from being done. One time out of a few million it'll make it boot properly just once, but not if the drive's been formatted, sorry.]
The best way to go is to get spyware blockers as well as virus protection, because they work a bit differently, covering more bases, and the spy-block is more likely to keep them from slipping in. Plus, some of those provide cleaning right along with their updates for viruses which have already been I.D.'d. Some for free.
This is my favorite: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
I use some of their other software, too, with nothing but smiles...and some gloating.
There's an all-in-one available now for free trial at:
http://www.windowsonecare.com/prodinfo/Default.aspx
Be sure to select all the ports and protocols you THINK you'll need to use if you choose to use the optional firewall protection. Otherwise, you can't get on the 'Net.
Since you'll be getting a new hard drive, most likely, soon, there's no sense in buying permanent protection until you have your new setup.
I have also contacted someone who works for "the other guys" who may be more help.
Advice: go to http://www.tigerdirect.com and get an AMD-built PC for $300-500, with bells and whistles. Not just with their processor, but their build. MUCH safer, MUCH faster [regardless of what spec-speeds SAY], and ten more pages of better all around.
Went through this myself. Seven PC'S in the time since you bought your Gateway. This AMD-built never sticks, never gets corrupted [on its own], and flies like a Pegasus. This PC [with the software above] has never had a problem. Knock on wood.
BEST OF LUCK!
2006-07-30 18:55:17 · answer #1 · answered by a w 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go to your Device Manager (right click on My Computer, Properties, Hardware, Device Manger) and look under Hard Drives for what type of Hard Drive (Western Digital or Maxtor probibly, could be Seagate or others). Go to that manufacturers website and download their hard drive diagnostics tool and run it- it should give you a result on the drives health and issues... from their contact gateway for replacement (ha ha) or get another...
If you have friends that are into computers, ask if anyone has a portable hard drive that you can borrow to copy files onto or go buy one, or cheaper for smaller files is the USB memory stick- 1 gigs are down under $50 at Wal*mart and places. Copy the files to there and then they can be used on other compouters later.
Also, try a cleaning CD and canned air in your CD burner to see if it will read again...
Disks are not for one computer- as long as the drive is in good condition, they can be read on other computer drives as well...
Good Luck- been in your positioni before- it sucks, but you get through it with a little work...
2006-07-30 17:40:41 · answer #2 · answered by worxsigns 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dear friend... i have read ur problem. u said u have already formatted ur hard disk... what i assume is u have formatted the c drive only( in which OS is installed). if this is so... well then, i hope ur hard disk has some bad sectors... try this. click start>run>type" chkdsk". if any bad sectors r there,this command will check. also if available.. u can use the norton system works "disk doctor" for checking ur hard disk. also many free softwares like" bad sector repair" r available. if u want their download links... send a PM. bye.
2006-07-30 18:10:10 · answer #3 · answered by harsha varma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tp bad it is late at least here it is. you could call Geeks from Best Buy. You will have to shut it down because it is hot! Call Gateway again and tell them it is not working and if u do not have a manual. They should tell u what the manual would anyway. Call them back.
2006-07-30 17:36:34 · answer #4 · answered by CHAEI 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you backup your data before you reformatted your hard disk? Your data will be erased during the formatting process. You can try data recovery software or service to recover your data from a formatted disk but it will cost you money.
2006-07-30 17:42:32 · answer #5 · answered by currenz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
New drives are real cheap... I'd change it.
But, I have about a dozen of such reported drives all reformatted and running happily in my Linux machines, for years!
I know that FAT rilesystem and now, NTFS filesystem actually try to thrash and kill hard drives! Yeah, I quit Microsoft virus magnet OS, and now run http://pclinuxos.com
2006-07-30 17:35:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As I Have Read Your Question You Have Already reformatted Your drive Now i think You Should buy New one or replace that piece with new one please Do it Soon and keep in mind that whenever you feel that this critical data then you should backup that one OK...have good day...
2006-07-30 17:48:45 · answer #7 · answered by dhvtzala 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your IDE controller (on the motherboard) has gone bad. You'll have to either replace the motherboard, or try installing one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?DEPA=0&type=&Description=IDE+controller&Submit=ENE&Ntk=all&N=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0 Your data from the hard drive is gone, though. You did that when you reformatted.
2006-07-30 17:36:16 · answer #8 · answered by alchemist_n_tx 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you've reformatted the drive you've already lost everything. Sorry. Always make backups.
2006-07-30 17:34:18 · answer #9 · answered by milo.3600 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋