help with my laptop

[katrina08]

hi i hope someone can help i have recently brought a second hand laptop when i switch it on it starts running through checks on the computer but won't get pass this stage can anyone help please?

[fo3nix]

Was it working when you bought it?

[dodgyshirt]

Does it emit a beep after running through the checks.
This would indicate that physically it is OK and it should then boot up the operating system.
Does it even have an operating system installed, the previous owner may have wiped it

[katrina08]

there is an operating system installed there is MS DOS and microsoft windows too as iv checked with the seller and i can only get to the screen previously mentioned it won't load to a desktop or anything else 4 that matter

[dodgyshirt]

Does it complete POST ending with a beep. If it does so, it should then either attempt to boot into Windows or display a message.
A little more information would be helpful, always assuming the seller is telling you the truth.
The mention of MS DOS and Windows in the same breath sounds odd.

[katrina08]

hi thanks for responding now when i switch it on it says
HARD DRIVE CONTROLLER DIAGNOSTICS ERROR

[dodgyshirt]

It sounds as though you either have a faulty hard drive or less probably, an IDE control interface failure of the motherboard.
Whichever, it appears as though you have been sold a faulty machine and my first action would be to take the seller to task.
If that is not possible then you need to have it looked at professionally.
Obviously this will be expensive, although replacement of the hard drive itself is a simple procedure.
Whatever you decide depends upon how much you paid for it in the first place