Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
point, but no data, then it is likely that data is gone. If irreplaceable data was lost, you can try
bringing the drive to a hardware shop for professional data retrieval.
5. If any of these attempts to revive the drive has succeeded, then immediately bring the
system up and back up any important files to another drive or to removable media. Run
scandisk and/or any other drive checking utilities. If serious problems are found with the drive,
or if you have suspicion that the drive will continue having more problems like this, then
prepare to replace the drive. While you still have a working system, make a complete backup if
possible. Perhaps the entire drive image can still be retrieved and copied onto the new drive,
and no system re-install will be necessary.
From: Chris Heizmann
I. If the drive works intermittently and won't boot to Windows:
1. Create a boot disk on a different machine if available (format c: /s).
2. Use the boot disk to start the machine in DOS.
3. Switch to drive c:\.
4. Copy all data files to floppy (more than one disk will be needed).
II. If the drive does not work at all.
1. Open up the case.
2. Locate and remove the Hard Disk Drive.
3. Tap on the side of the hard drive with a screwdriver a few times (not too hard).
4. Re-install the drive and start the PC.
5. If the PC boots to Windows, backup all data files via MSbackup.
6. If the PC won't boot to Windows, follow the above instructions.
From: David A. Hunt
• First establish the correct drive characteristics from the drive or from internet if not printed
on the casing.
• Check all cables and connections (Power, EIDE, or SCSI).
• Turn on the Power and correct the BIOS.
• Watch for failures such as controller failure during bios check.
• Listen for unpleasant noises (after head crash).
• If the PC won't boot from disk, use a boot disk in the floppy and establish if drive C is
available.
• If not, try Fdisk and see if a drive is visible (if not, it's starting to look bad...).
• If visible and reachable, copy any important data to floppy disk (if possible) or another drive
if available.
• Revive the boot block, and try booting from the drive again.
• If the drive wasn't visible, then remove the drive and try to revive it in another PC.
• Sometimes removing the drive and gently shaking it can help to revive it if the user hasn't
been using his PC on a regular basis, especially in older PCs. Anyway, this a problem one can
spend hours with, it just depends on how important the data was. Only cowards work with a
backup!!!!
