Hard disk error

[islasmum]

My computer has just gone mad! It suddenly closed IE and the message read Hard Dick error and files have disappeared from the desktop as well as the start menu has disappeared too. I now have a black screen with a few icons left. Will a system restore work on this? Should I close it down and turn.it off for a while? It's a Packard Bell desktop running Windows 7 IE8 (I think) Thanks very much for any help.

[Old_Geezer]

Been feeding it too much Viagra ?

[islasmum]

ha ha

[Old_Geezer]

It sounds rather servere, you may have an infection or corruption, or it may be hardware originated. Turning it off, pulling the power lead out, and leaving it for a few minutes to cool down, can't hurt. I think it sounds one of those issues where you just have to try things. For a start do the cool off period thing, then try to boot into 'safe mode', See how you fare with that.

[islasmum]

Thanks, OG I'll try that.

[vivandorron]

Perhaps it is IE, which isn't the best of Browsers. Personally, I wouldn't do a system restore which I feel is the last resort.....But of course I am not an expert on these matters.

O_G I think is right to suggest that you may have an infection or corruption. In which case perhaps a run through with the free edition of Malwarebytes could be worthwhile. (Click Free Download NOT Pro )

http://www.malwarebyt...ts/malwarebytes_free/

Ron.

[Prudie]

Poor you isla, I had a hard-drive failure last weekend out of the blue. I couldn't even get system restore to work. It's currently with a specialist seeing if they can save anything.
I've never had hard dick error, what does that feel like? :-)

[vivandorron]

I don't know if this may help, although I wish to be helpful:-

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2641432

Ron.

[islasmum]

I've done a system restore on it and am about to use the link that vivandron put up - the computer is working but I appear to have lost some personal files, but I've backed everything up fairly recently, so hopefully I haven't lost much. Thanks all for your answers, and as for the hard dick error - must remember to check answer before posting!

[alan-r]

"system restore which I feel is the last resort" ??
thats not a last resort a reinstall of the o/s is the last resort, it doesn't remove any files etc its very safe to use

[Ellipsis]

and the message read Hard Dick error

<snigger>

[Baldric]

Best typo of the week so far

[vivandorron]

And an old softie like me is trying to be helpful.:-)

Ron.

[bassmanjack]

Errr... do you mean 'Disk'?? *<|:~)