hdd

[terambulan]

My laptop has crashed.....it wont read the hard drive. I have unscrewed the HDD and re-inserted it but still no joy. Do I need a new HDD? The WXP wont load permamnently altho it goes thru all the procedure b4 it crashes!

[Buenchico]

It doesn't sound like a hard drive problem. It's more likely to be a corrupt Windows file.

Try this:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000626.ht m

If that doesn't work, try entering Windows safe mode
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm
and running System Restore:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000589.ht m

If that doesn't work, try starting your PC without entering Windows and then doing an 'on top' reinstallation of Windows XP. How you boot your PC, without entering Windows, will depend upon the configuration of your BIOS. However, many systems recognise an original Windows XP disk as a boot disk. Try starting the computer with the Windows disk already inserted. When you've booted the system up, type C:setup and press 'Enter'

If that doesn't work, try formatting the drive and then performing a clean installation of Windows. To do so, boot your laptop, without starting Windows, as above. Type C:format and press 'Enter'. Once the drive has been formatted, type C:setup and press 'Enter'.

If that doesn't work, it might really be time to change your hard drive.

Chris

[ACtheTROLL]

I think Buenchico has nailed it

I'd go straight for the rebuild unless you have important files on there
If you have ... you could try a linux distro such as knoppix to start the machine and if HDD is still readable to burn files to CD
But that needs a certain level of knowledge

The easier (but more costly) way would be to buy a cheap 2.5" usb enclosure
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=2.5+usb+2.0 +external+enclosure&scoring=p

[terambulan]

the BIOS says its not reading the hard drive.....when you press F2.

[ACtheTROLL]

Oh heck!

what EXACTLY is the message? - when does it come up?

how old?
is the HDD still in warranty?
(it should be printed on the disc label ... or if you go to the Mfrs website the support page will have a returns option which will take the serial number).

[terambulan]

pc out of warrenty. F5 diagnosticsDST short Test rings , Memory test. Fail. Lots of beeping. No hard Drive detected!

[terambulan]

Wen I load original Windows xp it says read failure on hard drive