Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
From: Howard Adkins
Check the parameters in the CMOS and verify they are correct. If they are, I would attempt to
boot off of a floppy to see if I could get to the hard drive, sometimes the MBR is bad but you
can still boot to a floppy an copy the info to disk
From: Ted Senn
Iff (If and only if) the drive does n't spin up, the bearings are possibly dry. In this case, I take
the drive out and give it a hard rotation and quick stop parallel with the platters, reinstall, and
get out the chicken bones. This will sometimes allow the drive to spin up long enough to get
the data off. At the same time try to sell the owner on the idea of a backup device.
From: Raymond V.Hall
1. Review documentation regarding the installation—drive type, cylinder, sectors, etc.-and
identify the drive by physical inspection. Reseat all cables and power connectors. Dust out the
interior of the PC.
2. Secure current info and drivers from manufacturers www site.
3. Use floppy disk to start the PC and determine if drive maintenance can be performed. Is the
data available? Is the drive not booting or not operating? Scan for viruses.
4. While virus scanning and perhaps using scan disk, review the documentation, instructions,
and Readme files about the drive.
5. Especially with an older PC, check the battery and replace if necessary.
6. Use setup to confirm accurate drive settings.
7. Apply any patches, switches, jumpers etc. noted in the current documentation.
8. Thank the user for showing patience.
From: David P. Pedersen
• First, you would give the offending computer user a short sermon about benefits of always
backing up that important data.
• Second step would be to remove the offending "dead" drive from the computer.
• Third step would be to put it out of its misery with your shotgun if you have one and if not
simply give it a good whack with your sledgehammer.
• Fourth step: go down to the local computer store and have them install a new one for you
with backup this time! I am sure glad people call me about computer problems because, as
you can see, I am one good "Repair Man.” Thanks.
From: John C. Britt Jr.
Remove the ailing drive from the box, install it in another machine as a secondary drive, and
then back up the necessary files.
From: Brad Gorecki
To remedy this situation, I would verify that the drive will still spin. If that is the case, I would
use a product called Recover 98. As long as the drive is spinning, I can get the data off. After
verifying BIOS settings and making sure the PC will at least detect the drive, slave the new
drive off the bad one. Run this software package and transfer the data to the drive. This
