Disk Read Error

[redqueen]

I got this message when I turned on my home computer on Monday. It appears after the first screen showing the... I'm not sure, disk type? and RAM?... and then the Intel splash screen comes up... and then the disk read error message. I have two hard drives in it but it stopped 'seeing' the second drive months ago. So far all I've done is reseat all the cables from the board to the disk drives, after which I still got the error message.

From what I've read on the net, it seems my next step is to reinstall Windows from a boot disk. I'm worried that it might overwrite the data in the My Documents and My Pictures folders. I have seen conflicting information about whether that happens during a reinstall. Another concern is that I'm not sure which version of Windows I have. I got the computer second-hand and it was already on there. It didn't come with any disks though.

Any help or advice that you could give would be greatly appreciated. I have class tonight so I plan to try to get it working again tomorrow night.

Thanks for your time and consideration...

[CK_John]

1. Many paths here, make and model, will be a big help. The key to the problem will be

to figure out why the second drive went invisible, and is it a backup,data drive, or an OS drive.

It could be as simple as the pin settings(master,slave,or cable select) or the ribbon cable from the motherboard to drive may need replacing.

Step 1 is to determine if the HD is still readable or if it is damaged and needs to be replaced. Also to try and save your data files.

I will assume the cable is an IDE ribbon and not Sata.

Since you seem to be able to get inside the case ok, I would remove the second drive from the cable (it should be on the middle connector) and make sure the pins on the your main HD (should be end black connector) are set for master or cable select and the blue connector should be connected to the motherboard.

A trick you can try is use the cd/dvd cable on the hard drive to see if you can boot. (put a mark on the cable so you don't mix then up)


A reinstall is the last resort and will depend if the OS is an upgrade version or full.

A repair may be possible if you have an OS disc and a product key.

At this point give the system a good vacuum cleaning and air circulation and check all fans.

[redqueen]

2. Thanks very much.

I'm embarrassed to say I don't know what you mean by make and model, but the cables are IDE - that much I can tell you.

I'll find the method for checking the drive settings and do that tomorrow night. There are two connectors on the cable which were attached to the motherboard, and yes one of those is blue.

I'll also try disconnecting the cable from the other drives, and connecting the cd/dvd cable to the hard drive.

Thanks again for your advice. There's so much on the net... and most of it just says to reinstall the OS.

[canetoad]

3. A second vote for changing cables

Those IDE ribbon cables can become very fragile after a while. It is the cheapest and easiest first option to change them and see if it makes a difference.

[redqueen]

4. Thank you...

I'll stop and pick up a new one on my way home tomorrow.

Thanks again.

[CK_John]

5. Make and model just means the manufacture of PC, ie Dell, HP, Acer and the model

is usually on the face plate. Example HP Pavillion 554y. That way we could check the specs.

<http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07813&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=299507〈=en>

[redqueen]

7. OH... I'll do that tonight.

But I'm not sure if it's a brand-name (or else they wouldn't have just given it to me). It's something they built from leftover parts. I'll check though.

[CK_John]

10. That's ok, I was hoping there was a restore partition like on a HP/Compaq have. Let's

see how the cable change goes.

Do you have any access to another PC or any adapter to read the HD externally.

[redqueen]

11. I might,

I'll have to ask permission but there's a decent enough chance, yes.

[DainBramaged]

6. Get a thumb drive copy your docs and pictures to it

to save them 4GB drives as cheap as $15 at Staples and Target, plugs into the usb port

[redqueen]

8. Thanks...

I suppose I should get a couple / few of those.

[RoyGBiv]

9. Just be aware ...

They are not good long term storage solutions.