Hi, yesterday I experienced a problem with my computer. It would turn on but I oculdnt get into the log in screen, instead a black screen would show. Not all the files for safe mode would load so I couldnt log on Safe Mode either. I tried running the drivers test and it said failed. Is that it? Isn't there anything I can do to save the hardrive?
2007-06-14 02:55:46 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Boot your system using the WinXP CD
But first google for "XP REPAIR"
2007-06-14 02:59:25 · answer #1 · answered by stu_the_kilted_scot 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well it doesn't sound good, but not all hope is lost. Here's what I would suggest:
- Since it seems you have another computer (hopefully it's your own and not a company computer) I'd suggest turning off both computers, and unplugging them, then remove the HD that you believe may have failed, and connecting it to your other computer. Once it's connected, plug that computer in and boot it up, with any luck Windows will recognize the HD and just add it to your system. Then you can run some basic test, like Scan Disk, to try to detect any problems. Keep in mind, I wouldn't suggest doing this if your computer could possibly be under warranty, or if you've never upgraded hardware on your computer yourself. Bad things can happen if you let the magic smoke out, and there's only one thing to do if that happens, buy a Dell.
- If you have a name brand computer i.e. Dell, HP, Gateway, Sony, IBM, etc. . . . then you should check with the manufacture to see if your computer is still under warranty. Even if it's not, ask them if your HD has been recalled by chance. If it has then they should replace it, with a new one. Generally once you get the new HD, if you call Tech Support, they'll walk you through installing the new HD. If you're nice to the Tech, when your done installing the new drive, ask them to help you install your old drive as a secondary drive so you can get some things off of it before mailing it back. They usually will.
- Last resort, you can take it to a repair shop. This of course will cost you, but at least if things go pear shapes you'll have someone else to blame and be angry with. If you're not sure about what shop to take it to, Best Buy has a service department in most of their stores, and although I don't know their rates, generally though they know what they're doing.
2007-06-14 03:34:40 · answer #2 · answered by B_O_C_K_S_C_A_R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the drive test reported the drive has failed, then it's bad and will need to be replaced. more then likely is the motor or spindle bearings and the platters can't spin up. toss the drive in your freezer(yes freezer). get a new drive, install it, put on operating system. then get the old drive from the freezer, put it in the computer as a slave and try to retrieve your data that way. freezing it will cause the shaft to shrink and with a little luck the platters can spin up long enough to get the data you need off of it.
2007-06-14 03:03:51 · answer #3 · answered by medic391 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if the hard drive was completly knackered it would noot even boot into safe mode you may have to reinstall the drives drivers also check the cable plugs are secure and not loose
2007-06-14 04:18:27 · answer #4 · answered by sparks9653 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dip it in a bucket of bleach. If it doesn't start spinning around, it's broken.
2007-06-14 02:57:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋