Author Topic: Could use some help. Hard Drive Crashed (Read 1425 times)

daddog · « **on:** April 20, 2007, 10:05:18 AM »

My HD crashed last weekend. Had it for a couple years. It is a 250gig Maxtor with a SATA connection. It will start boot up normally. Gets to the XP logo and then just goes black.

I can boot to the WinXP CD and have these choices.
*Setup Win XP now
*Repair a Win XP install using the recovery consol
*Exit

Tried the repair twice with zero luck. It did say there was some bad sectors.

It asks what install I want to log on to and lists my C:\Windows
I choose that and it puts me at a
C:\Windows> prompt.

What do I do from there?

Also tried the setup XP option. It has a repair option a screen or two later. Now it will not even boot up to the XP logo.

Memory checks out fine. On boot up it does not list the HD.

MB ECS 755-A2
CPU AMD 3200
GeoForce 6600GT
1.5GB of RAM
XP w/SP2 all updated.
DirectX 9c
LiteOn DVD Burner SOHW-1693S

Fulmar · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2007, 11:14:52 AM »

Did your hard drive crash or did your Windows get corrupted?

If the HD crashed then there is something physically wrong with the drive and you should disgard it immediately (you may be able to recover some data off it).

If your Windows got corrupted I've never had success with the 'Repair' function in setup. I've always just had a reformat.

In the BIOS, see if you are able to redetect the HD. If not, and all the cable connections are good etc, sounds like the hard drive has crashed and you'll need to replace it.

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2007, 11:45:02 AM »

You have to continue to the 'setup' option and then it will ask you if you want to repair your installation automatically. It's confusing really. But 8 times out of 10 I've been able to restore functionality with it. The few cases have called for a reformat.

SunKing · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2007, 12:02:38 PM »

"Calling Doctor Skuzzy, Dr. Skuzzy come in"

DD come visit, bring the PC and your sticks. We'll reformat and have you on for squad ops tonight and lan it up at my place.

daddog · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2007, 01:35:07 PM »

Thanks guys. Not sure Fulmar, I will check tonight when I get home.

I will try it again MrRip.

Can't tonight Larry. Humm you home Saturday or Sunday?

SunKing · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2007, 01:37:04 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by daddog
. Humm you home Saturday or Sunday?

Ya... sent you a private msg.

daddog · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2007, 02:39:00 PM »

Sent reply.

TequilaChaser · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2007, 03:38:27 PM »

a few opinions here daddog,

1- being a SATA HardDrive it should be hot-swappable meaning you can plug in another HD load an OS and still retrive your data you want off of this one....

2 - long ago if you remember, when one would want to exit windows and go to DOS to do something then go back to windows one would type WIN or start and hit enter

the above #2 is in reference to ---> It asks what install I want to log on to and lists my C:\Windows
I choose that and it puts me at a
C:\Windows> prompt.

What do I do from there?

3- have you went into your CMOS/BIOS at powerup and tryed to let it autodetect the SATA-HD?

just some quick thoughts/opinions/comments for ya to chew on there, daddog, good luck with it.....

daddog · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2007, 04:31:59 PM »

Thanks TC! Will try #1 when I get home if nothing else.

Rgr on the auto detect. Did not work, but I will try it again.

daddog · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2007, 10:19:20 PM »

Tried the reinstall again. Says...
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
says to reinstall a copy of that. How would I do that?

Other thoughts gents?

Sundowner · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2007, 01:01:52 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by daddog
Tried the reinstall again. Says...
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
says to reinstall a copy of that. How would I do that?

Other thoughts gents?

Try this page...

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000646.htm

Missing or corrupt ntoskrnl.exe file

If the ntoskrnl.exe file is corrupt or missing this can also generate the error. To restore this file follow the below steps.

1. Insert the Microsoft Windows XP CD. Note: If you have a recovery CD or a restore CD and not a Microsoft Windows XP CD it is likely the below steps will not resolve your issue.
2. Reboot the computer, as the computer is starting you should see a message to press any key to boot from the CD. When you see this message press any key.
3. In the Microsoft Windows XP setup menu press the R key to enter the recovery console.
4. Select the operating system you wish to fix, and then enter the administrator password.
5. Type expand d:\i386\ntoskrnl.ex_ c:\windows\system32
6. You will then be prompted if you wish to overwrite the file type Y and press enter to overwrite the file.
7. Type exit to reboot the computer.

Good luck!

Regards,
Sun

Husky01 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2007, 01:19:08 AM »

This happened to me *would start up normal then go to black screen after windows log* but when I did it to mine I as replacing a video card and forgot to unplug the computer that combined with the wrong type of video card *was PCIE not PCI whoops* led to one messed up computer! SO i basically fried the motherboard and messed up the video stuff. Was a very fun learning experience:rofl

daddog · « **Reply #12 on:** April 21, 2007, 03:47:59 PM »

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

* Tried to hook up my SATA drive to sondogs and my daughters system, but their older power supply does not have a SATA power connection.

* Tried to reinstall the ntoskrnl but it said file not found.

I have the original Win XP CD so I don't know why it would not find it.

*Tried the swapping of keyboards as that was mentioned as a possible solution in one of the links. Again no joy.

Still trying to figure this out.

TequilaChaser · « **Reply #13 on:** April 21, 2007, 04:12:32 PM »

Tried the reinstall again. Says...
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
says to reinstall a copy of that. How would I do that?

Other thoughts gents?

Do you have a floppy drive on your son or daughter's pc and on your PC? if so have someone send this file to you in an email, copy it to the floppy, then install it in the DOS prompt where you mentioned before you could get to C:\windows>

just do a file copy from A:\ntoskrnl.exe to the C:\windows\system32\ directory

if you can actually have use of your floppy drive...just a thought.

but after you are able to do this, youmight have another missing file pop up........

daddog, do you not have a power converter/adapter to go from a 4 pin to a SATA power type plug? should have 1 or 2 of these lying around IF you built your own system.....heck might even be one in your PC Case , take a look around see if you see anything of the sort......

Ghosth · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2007, 06:54:04 AM »

Daddog sure seems to me like you have a problem with the boot sector of that drive. If thats the case the sooner you quit messing about with the the better chance you have of recovering data from it in the end.

Go buy a new drive, get it installed, reinstall XP, software, etc.
When system is back up, stable, and functioning then plug the bad drive in and see if you can copy data from it.