*EVERYONE with computer knowledge!!!?

Question

I have a Compaq Presario sw140???.. I bought it 2years ago and now am not able to use my computer at all..
When I start up the computer I get a error message that says
"Disk boot failure, Insert system disk and Press Enter"
I put in my #1 disk recovery and I recieve another error message
"No hard drive found, PC Recovery cannot continue".
I called Compaq and they said they can help me fix it by phone, it was just a software problem, BUT I would have to pay another $50 on my warrenty for the assistance.. I am not going to pay them more money on top of my warrenty..
So my questions are
#1 Is my hard drive broken and need to be replaced?
#2 Should I bring it to someone proffesional to fix it, and who should I bring it to that is the best and cheapest?
#3 Is it a software problem, like tech at compaq claimed?
#4 Can I fix it at home myself with the right directions?
If anyone can help with this I would truely appreciate it, I can not afford to buy a new one, Thank You So Much!

Answer 1

I would doubt it was only a software thing if the system claims the hard drive cannot be found.

I would suggest having a PC literate friend / kid / partner / relative have a look.

Can you hear the hard drive power up - or does it seem "quieter than usual", does the hard drive light flicker as before - or does it stay on constantly / never come on?

what happened - did it fail halfway through working one day - or did it just fail on boot upo?

Has the computer been knocked / banged?

If you have a warrantee that is intact, get them to fix it, if the warranty is NOT current then if they guarantee to fix the problem for $50 it might be cheaper than other options.

If you are not computer hardware literate and do not have friends that are, it is going to be a mightily diffiuclt job to get this going I'm afraid.

Mark

Answer 2

First of all, make certain there is no cd in the cd rom. Then try to boot. Second of all, it's possible that your motherboard bios has a dead battery. If that's the case, you'll have to enter setup each time you boot to tell your computer that you actually have a hard drive. If that turns out not to be the case, I'd look at the cable that attaches to the hard drive and then to the motherboard. If that's tight and in place I'd try switching the hard drive to the other cable (usually it's the one that's attached to the cd rom). If you get the same error, I'd have someone you know place your hard drive in their computer as a slave, then run a chkdsk to see if it can be repaired. Compaq computers are notorious for forgetting they have a hard drive. I've been dealing with them for 10 years now, and they all do it occasionally.

Answer 3

Before giving up on your hard drive, make sure you haven't left a floppy in the A drive. If not, use another computer to create a bootable floppy for your computer.

Put the floppy in drive A and turn your computer on. Follow the prompts to perform the diagnostic feature. Perhaps there is a small problem that can be easily fixed without all the hassle of replacing the hard drive.

Answer 4

It sounds like hard drive failure, or you simply lost the system files.best way to know boot up with floppy and when you get to drive a:\ type the followings
a:\ sys.com c: press enter
after about ten seconds you will see on the screen system transferred remove the floppy and turn the computer off then turn it on if the computer did not start then you need to buy a new hard drive, take it to computer shop or if you know some friend can replace it for you will be cheaper.

Answer 5

It sounds like the hard drive has failed. It needs to be replaced. If you have your system restore disc and your driver disc and can follow the written directions that come with a replacement hard drive try to do it. I suspect however that you would need someone to assist you. I cannot recommend anyone because I do not know where you are located; If I knew this, chances are I would not be familiar with anyone in your area anyway.

Answer 6

acctully ur hard drive is screwed u need to take it 2 a professional i reccomend a place that just opend like 2 months ago called PC Clinic i work there we can do it all clean, fix, replace and upgrade and nothing is going to be cheap on the problem fixing ur hard drive it requiers a new one or to be fixed depends, i would acctully have to look at it first of all but thats my advice to find a place called PC Clinic ok hope that helps.

Answer 7

i would say yes to 1, 2, and or 4, but 1 most def, unless a cord got unplugged, better check those. but chances are your hard drive died, and something like that should be covered under warranty, you should try a different compaq support, they aren't all the same.

if i did it, i would charge $20 for JUST the replacement service...not counting parts or reinstallation of of the OS if wanted.

Answer 8

Your hard drive is dead. you need to buy a new one and replace the old one.

No offense, but its not something it sounds like you can do easily. Check to see what they are going to charge you. some of these places are a rip off and you could almost buy a new pc for what they charge.