My hard drive is having problems, so that when Windows starts it takes a few scratches and then it hangs. Is there a way for me to fix it from DOS? I don't have a floppy drive in that computer, only a CD drive.
2006-08-30 07:25:16 · 5 answers · asked by rscrsc 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
I would first find out if the drive is bad by running some hard drive diagnostics. Two that I recommend are from Seagate and Hitachi. Both of these can be used by creating a boot cd which they have already created and all you have to do is burn the cd.
Seagate (Seagate Tools Desktop Edition is what you need to download): http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/index.html
Hitachi (Drive Fitness Test, download the cd image): http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
If the drive is bad, then the drive will need to be replace and their is a good chance, if it is bad, that your data will be lost. There are companies out there that provide data recovery services but they usually cost thousands of dollars.
2006-08-30 07:37:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most computers should be set to boot off the Windows CD (if you have a Windows XP CD). That allows you to get into recovery console. If your computer doesn't boot off the CD, you have to change your boot sequence slightly so that it boots off the CD first, then a floppy drive then your HD. In recovery console you can run a chkdsk and scandisk
2006-08-30 07:31:32 · answer #2 · answered by infinitenull 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, what operating system are you using? If you're using windows xp Home edition then you can do that, but you have to somehow load the cdrom drivers, because DOS doesn't recognize a cdrom by default.
If you're using xp pro, then you're kinda sol. Xp pro removed DOS completely from it's operating system, which makes these kinds of things much more of a pain in the backside.
I'd surf around the net and see if you can find some kind of software to assist, or take the hdd and stick it in another computer as a secondary drive and do it from there.
Best of luck! :)
2006-08-30 07:32:49 · answer #3 · answered by Kelly S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Format and install a fresh copy of Windows XP. Go here for more info http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
2006-08-30 07:31:33 · answer #4 · answered by PainMaster 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try booting in safe mode
2006-08-30 07:28:47 · answer #5 · answered by mrresearchman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋