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GPWizard => GPWizard News & Announcements => Topic started by: Dare on December 05, 2011, 04:51:31 AM

Title: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 05, 2011, 04:51:31 AM
Yesterday I knocked my pc off my stand and now when I try to
turn it on I get a disk readerror has occured.It then says press
ctr+alt+del to restart.Unfortually it doesn't restart and goes back to the
original message


Does anyone have a idea what it might be?mb or hard drive?

would reinstalling with a recovery disk help?

                                     thanks

Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Canada Darrell™ on December 05, 2011, 07:04:01 AM
Ouch! I fear the worst especially if the computer was on at the time as it is almost certainly your hard drive. If this is indeed the case then nothing short of very expensive data recovery is your only option. If you can live without anything that was on the HD then a new one is is order and then begin the painful OS reinstallation.

FYI, I have recovered dead hard drives for just long enough to pull some/all the data off of it by wrapping the HD in kitchen wrap a few time and placing it in the deep freeze for 24 hours. No gaurantees this will work as it is possible the sudden impact killed a read/write head or several.

I gotta ask though, how the heck do you knock a computer off the desk?
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 05, 2011, 07:23:54 AM
Thanks Darrell,that's what I feared.I can do without the data so
that's not a worry.Would have to be a 1tb hd.And I misplaced my
recovery disk

How?I had a hd cable running from my pc to my tv and I forgot to
pick my big feet up.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Neil.P on December 05, 2011, 08:09:47 AM
Crikey, he used to be content with just chucking his keyboard on the floor. He's taken it up a notch. :(

I hope you get it back working Dare :good:

Neil.P
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Ian on December 05, 2011, 08:35:09 AM
You clumsy oaf Dare. A new hard drive's not that expensive, I had to have one in mine, It cost me £36 and that was for a 160GB one.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Wizzo on December 05, 2011, 09:35:04 AM
Testdisk software is free and it works!

When my customers cant access there hard drives through damage then I always use this and I can usually recover 90% of their information. It may be worth a try to recover anything important.

http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk (http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk)

Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: John S on December 05, 2011, 09:52:33 AM

Total sympathy for your situation Dare, unlike certain scurvy pirates.  ;)   

I have a similar problem with a laptop, even though I have the recovery discs I still can't get it back to life, it's a toss up now whether I spend big money on professional repair or save up for a new one.  :confused:  

Greater age brings greater unsteadiness and memory lapse, as well as wisdom.  :D

Oh and thanks Wizzo I'll give Testdisk a try.  



 
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 05, 2011, 10:55:30 AM
Testdisk software is free and it works!

When my customers cant access there hard drives through damage then I always use this and I can usually recover 90% of their information. It may be worth a try to recover anything important.

http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk (http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk)





how to you go about downloading it if your pc  won't boot?Do youmake a
copy on another pc?
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Wizzo on December 05, 2011, 12:27:23 PM
Unfortunately the answer is yes dare.

You need to install the software on a working PC then connect the damaged HD and try to repair/recover the data.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: cosworth151 on December 05, 2011, 12:41:47 PM
First, open your case and make sure that you haven't just knocked a plug or two loose.

If the problem is just in the boot area of the HD, you can pick up an external hard drive enclosure that plugs into a USB port. This would allow you to copy data to the new drive. I've done this a couple of times, and still use those drives for overflow & portable storage. I paid $5 for the last enclosure I bought out of a scratch & dent bin at Microcenter.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0373198 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0373198)
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 05, 2011, 12:56:42 PM
First, open your case and make sure that you haven't just knocked a plug or two loose.

If the problem is just in the boot area of the HD, you can pick up an external hard drive enclosure that plugs into a USB port. This would allow you to copy data to the new drive. I've done this a couple of times, and still use those drives for overflow & portable storage. I paid $5 for the last enclosure I bought out of a scratch & dent bin at Microcenter.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0373198 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0373198)



thanks  everyone,how do Ijoin 2 pc'stogether?cOS IS THE EXTERNAL HD A PERMANENT FIX?
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: cosworth151 on December 05, 2011, 01:16:05 PM
You would still need a new internal HD to operate from. The external would allow you to: 1. retrieve data from the older, damaged HD and 2. use the old HD as extra or back-up storage. Your old drive will show up as secondary HD, i.e. Drive E:.

Best of luck, my friend! I'll be in the office and on line most of the day if you need me. Just shoot me a pm.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: David on December 05, 2011, 01:36:40 PM
Not much more I can add Dare, only bless you with some Irish luck.

Good Luck in you quest my friend.  :good:
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 06, 2011, 01:50:57 AM
more great  news,I can't find my recovery disk and trying to contact
Newegg's customer service is a waste of time.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Alianora La Canta on December 07, 2011, 09:22:32 PM
This is a horrible situation :(

If I'd been in commuting distance, I'd have put your damaged hard drive in my computer as a non-master drive (with a known working hard drive as master). This would enable me to get past the error message and copy over anything that could be copied in standard Windows.

As it stands, I can see this could be a big problem. If you can't find the recovery disk, I have to wonder if it would be worth you getting a cheap computer as a replacement - a hard drive plus operating system is close to the cost of an entry-level computer.

Hopefully the recovery disk will turn out to be down the back of the sofa or otherwise turn up (intact) when you're not really looking for it, because that will make things considerably easier.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Scott on December 07, 2011, 10:00:30 PM
Here are my best suggestions.

1.  See if you can convince Cossy to come for a service call - I understand he works for beer and gas for his van.   :P

2.  Skype with Ali - might be a bit longer to sort out since she'll probably give you a shopping list to start with.

3.  Send Darrell a PM...of all the people I know personally, he'd be my 1st choice for a tech.  I understand he's never seen Kentucky in the winter.  Worth a PM.

  :good: :good: :D 

Honlestly, wish I could help.  First I'm not tech, and secondly, I hail from the dark side (Apple).   :confused: 
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 07, 2011, 10:45:05 PM
Actually Ali it was a gaming pc,on the low end,so I'drather get this
one working again.I emailed the manufacturer and I can buy another
recovery disk for $30.It only came loaded with Windows 7[nothing else]

One option is to buy another pc and use the video card and poer supply
from the old one.It just turned 1 year old :'(

I'd like to find someone who could tellme for sure exactly whats wrong with it
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Canada Darrell™ on December 08, 2011, 01:43:17 AM
Dare, just to be clear, when you turn the computer on do you get this read/write error message right away or do you get the Windows logo and then the message?

I'm fairly certain it is the HD that is toast though. Adding the drive to a 2nd PC as suggested by Ali would be the first thing to try but there is still no gaurantee the drive is functioning properly from a read/write perspective.

Here's the problem...with the recent flooding in Thailand, (pretty much the ONLY supplier of key hard drive components in the world :o) hard drive prices have doubled and in some cases tripled as a result.

Since you've already said you could live without your data I would suggest you grab a 1TB drive from a reputable dealer that will allow you to return the drive should it turn out that something other than your HD is damaged. As for getting a recovery disc, don't bother. You can download the OS image right from Microsoft and burn it to a DVD and install it using your own Windows key...which I trust you have or is printed on the side of your computer. Just make sure you grab the correct image for the OS you had otherwise your key will not work. If there are pictures or anything on your old HD you really would like back I am willing to have a go at it but you'd need to get the drive to me. If I'm able to grab anything off it I could either send it to my dropbox account or transfer it to a USB thumb drive or something.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 08, 2011, 01:59:02 AM
I get the read/write message without the MS logo.Another question if
I had a recovery disk could I add a hd other than 1tb?I really don't need
that much space.

I had F1 2010 downloaded but that's something I rarely played.Everything
else I can redownload.


Like you Darrell I may be a world famous GG Champion but unlioke you
I'm a glutz working on pc's
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Canada Darrell™ on December 08, 2011, 03:18:18 AM
You'll be able to recover to a smaller disc to answer your question. You should also be able to redownload F1 no? If not then boo to Codemasters for not allowing it!!!!!

Cheers
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 08, 2011, 11:58:43 PM
Darrell,went to a pc repair store today and the owner
said he'd find what'swrong and if it was the hd  it would cost
around $150.

Part of it was a $100 dollar charge for installing Windows 7
since I lost the recovery disk.And it would be a smaller hd.

I can get a recovery disk from Ibuypower for around $30,would
this work on a smaller hd?

Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Alianora La Canta on December 16, 2011, 11:41:30 PM
A hard drive can be any size you like provided it's the same type of drive as the one that's stopped working. Your hard drive is very likely to be a S-ATA (Serial ATA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SATA)) drive but could be a SCS (Serial Attached SCSI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_attached_SCSI)). If it's only 1 year old, it's very unlikely to be anything else. Take out the failed hard drive as carefully as possible and make a note of what the attachment to the computer looks like (draw a diagram or take a photo if possible). Show that to a PC techie and they'll be able to tell you which one you'll need (there are several different connectors for both types so I'm not 100% sure if the Wikipedia pages alone will help).

Once you know whether it's a S-ATA or SCS, any hard drive big enough to take your data will do. It just so happens that the larger the drive, the better value it is (unless of course you buy one so big you'll not fill it at any point in the next decade - and if your data needs are modest, 1 TB might be too big).

I'm not sure how recovery disks from providers other than the one you got the original from would work. If Ibuypower's write-up indicates it will work with your particular computer, then that should work on any hard drive. It just needs the same stuff plugged in to your computer as it had when it arrived and you don't strike me as the sort of person who plays Frankenstein with your machine*.

If the recovery disk turns out not to be compatible with your computer, it'll be because it's missing some drivers (assuming the disk you're looking at includes the correct operating system, which I'm assuming you've already checked). These are invariably things that can be fixed provided you can get hold of an internet connection (either because the modem driver happens to be correct for your computer or because you can borrow a friend's). If the recovery disk misses a driver, you can stick the make and model into a search engine, find out what the bit it's missing a driver for is called, stick that into a search engine and download the driver that should then appear.

In other words, possible incompatibility with your machine is not a reason to avoid getting a recovery disk, unless you come across a disk that definitely is compatible.

Re-downloading F1 2010 likely depends on where you downloaded it from. I suggest you go to the site you got it from after you've re-installed and check its policy. If it's clear, follow whatever procedure is recommended. If it's not, ask someone in Customer Support, and be prepared to escalate the matter if they respond with something that doesn't answer the question.

* - If I'm wrong, you'll probably have the driver disks for the upgraded lying around somewhere anyway - simply install them after the recovery disk has done its work.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 16, 2011, 11:51:01 PM
thanks Ali ;)I haven't had time to look into as of yet.I did
look into the case and so what looked like a wire unplugged,I hope
once it's plugged in my pc will come to life[fat  chance though]

Being pc techy illiterate I hope the shop I take it to doesn't scam me
for a new hd if I don't need it.

Thanks for all the help
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Alianora La Canta on December 17, 2011, 01:27:47 AM
Could you get the PC shop to fit a hard drive bought elsewhere?
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 17, 2011, 01:53:11 AM
Could you get the PC shop to fit a hard drive bought elsewhere?

that same shot installed a better video card and power
supply on the pc I'm using now.

One of my main worries is some reviews of the shop,one says stay
away from this shop at all costs :o
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on December 17, 2011, 01:58:57 AM
If you're satisfied with their service and the majority of reviews are positive, I'd say go ahead. I can tell you that there are always people you just can't please no matter how hard you try.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Canada Darrell™ on December 17, 2011, 09:29:32 PM
Whoops, sorry for not answering your question Dare!  :-[

Small HD will not be a problem though I never got my question on whether you have your Windows installation Key or not. If you bought a computer with Win 7 preinstalled it is supposed to have, by the OEM agreement Microsoft has with manufacturers, the Key printed right on the side or back of the computer.

You can download the ISO (which you burn onto a DVD) for whatever version you had here:

http://www.windows7hacker.com/index.php/2009/11/download-retail-windows-7-iso-from-official-website/ (http://www.windows7hacker.com/index.php/2009/11/download-retail-windows-7-iso-from-official-website/)

When you install these it will prompt you for your CD Key. This is all legit and legal.

Personally the only thing I've ever seen on Windows 7 "recovery discs" is a bunch of Crapware and time-limited unnecessary anti-virus software.

Windows 7 will sniff out pretty much all modern hardware. Use Microsoft's own "Microsoft Security Essentials" for antivirus, works great. Great reviews even from usual Microsoft haters.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 17, 2011, 11:18:57 PM
thanks Darrell,it has a MS sticker on the side of my pc and it came
with Windows 7 only,no unwanted 60 day free trial crap
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 18, 2011, 03:05:21 PM
Darrell,what steps do I take in downloading to DVD?

I already downloaded the proper version,what next?
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: cosworth151 on December 18, 2011, 03:59:09 PM
Check your Windows 7 manual pack that came with your PC. There should be a sticker with the code key on it.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Canada Darrell™ on December 18, 2011, 04:30:46 PM
Darrell,what steps do I take in downloading to DVD?

I already downloaded the proper version,what next?

Download a tiny little program called IMGBurn here. Be careful and make sure you don't accidentally grab some of the other programs on this page...they really like to suck people into grabbing other crap!!!
I've used this program for years. The reason it is so small is the programmers have not bloated it up, unlike something like Nero. All this does is burn and create CD/DVD images.

http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download (http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download)

Once burned, boot your system making sure that you have the DVD drive set as the first boot device. You can either set this in your BIOS or hold down a key right after you start the system (depends on the motherboard.....ASUS is usually F8, Gigabyte is usually F12)

After booting from DVD follow the prompts and you'll have a fresh Win 7 install in no time at all! If you run into trouble feel free to PM me on Facebook and I can call you, or you can call me. I get long distance to the States for $.04/minute so I don't mind calling.

Good luck!
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 18, 2011, 08:13:03 PM
In IMGBurn it gave me 6 options,I chose write image filkes to dsc,after finished
it said it's not compatible with my version of Window's,is that because I have
XP on my old pc and the disc I burned is 7.So it should work on my new pc.

Worse comes to worse could you make me one and I'll send you the postage and cost of the DVD,

From one GG Champ to another :D
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Canada Darrell™ on December 18, 2011, 08:27:10 PM
In IMGBurn it gave me 6 options,I chose write image filkes to dsc,after finished
it said it's not compatible with my version of Window's,is that because I have
XP on my old pc and the disc I burned is 7.So it should work on my new pc.

Worse comes to worse could you make me one and I'll send you the postage and cost of the DVD,

From one GG Champ to another :D

When you boot your system from that DVD you will get the Windows 7 install. Correct, it should work on your new PC just fine. You are getting that message simply because the XP system is aware there is a newer OS installation disc in the dive and it is just telling you that you cannot run the setup from within XP.

Sounds to me like you are doing just fine so far!
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Scott on December 19, 2011, 03:50:17 PM
When you boot your system from that DVD you will get the Windows 7 install. Correct, it should work on your new PC just fine. You are getting that message simply because the XP system is aware there is a newer OS installation disc in the dive and it is just telling you that you cannot run the setup from within XP.

Sounds to me like you are doing just fine so far!

Except apparently Darrell thinks you live in a 'dive'   :P :P
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 19, 2011, 08:09:24 PM
When you boot your system from that DVD you will get the Windows 7 install. Correct, it should work on your new PC just fine. You are getting that message simply because the XP system is aware there is a newer OS installation disc in the dive and it is just telling you that you cannot run the setup from within XP.

Sounds to me like you are doing just fine so far!

Except apparently Darrell thinks you live in a 'dive'   :P :P


Kentucky is one big dive,ask Cos
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Canada Darrell™ on December 19, 2011, 10:37:45 PM
Hey, famous for fried chicken and bourbon...can't be all bad!!!!!! :DD
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 19, 2011, 10:47:29 PM
Hey, famous for fried chicken and bourbon...can't be all bad!!!!!! :DD


don't forget fast women and loose horses
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on December 20, 2011, 03:38:41 AM
Watched the Breeder's Cup at Churchill Downs. A great day of racing and the Downs were great.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: cosworth151 on December 20, 2011, 02:28:09 PM
Quote
Kentucky is one big dive,ask Cos

Not at all! Kentucky is a fine place. Louisville alone has many, many famous strip joints cultural treasures.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Neil.P on December 20, 2011, 07:04:48 PM
Oh, wondered where Dare was at when he wasn't frequenting these pages Cos :good:

Neil.P
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Scott on December 20, 2011, 09:13:41 PM
Naked bowling...it's quite a sight   :tease:
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Ian on December 20, 2011, 09:54:59 PM
As long as the proper ball goes down the alley at the pins.  :o
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 23, 2011, 09:52:26 PM
had new hd put in and the universe is back in sync

thanks to everyone for the help
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: cosworth151 on December 23, 2011, 10:29:23 PM
Another Christmas miracle!   :yahoo:
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: John S on December 23, 2011, 10:57:10 PM
Another Christmas miracle!   :yahoo:

We'll have to keep a watch for the Star in the East.  :D ;) 

Good to hear they managed to repair the damage from your shunt and your hardware is all spruced up and raring to go, Dare.  :good: 

Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on December 24, 2011, 04:30:07 AM
The real question is did they properly repair the hidden mass damper unit that Dare can't officially admit exists?
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 24, 2011, 04:35:12 AM
afraid nothing is hid now,when it hit the ground the
front of the case dampered off the pc.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Neil.P on December 24, 2011, 11:55:35 AM
afraid nothing is hid now,when it hit the ground the
front of the case dampered off the pc.

Another fire hazard, it'll catch alight next :DD
Only kidding buddy, glad you got to the bottom of that. Happy Christmas to you.

Neil.P
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 24, 2011, 01:41:26 PM
While installing chrome or something else it never ceases to
amaze me how Norton's appears on your pc and how hard it is to
remove it.

I truly hate Norton's,wonder why Mcafee hasn't shown up" >:D
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on December 25, 2011, 12:51:10 AM
When you are installing a program, you have to read the screens very carefully. There is one that has a box you must uncheck to prevent stuff like Norton and Mc Afee from being installed at the same time. I agree, it is almost impossible to entirely get rid of Norton. Bits of it hid everywhere on the hard drive. >:D
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Alianora La Canta on December 25, 2011, 08:53:36 PM
Great news, Dare. Hope this hard drive serves you long and well :)
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Scott on December 25, 2011, 09:36:42 PM
When you are installing a program, you have to read the screens very carefully. There is one that has a box you must uncheck to prevent stuff like Norton and Mc Afee from being installed at the same time. I agree, it is almost impossible to entirely get rid of Norton. Bits of it hid everywhere on the hard drive. >:D

Norton IS a virus.  I wish even Mcafee could get rid of it.  >:(
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 26, 2011, 12:34:14 AM
Mcafee is a virus too.In order to get them off my pc's I've had to
use software called Norton removal tool and Norton removal tool.

I'll take Window's anti-virus any ol day
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: David on December 26, 2011, 12:05:57 PM
I have been using Kapersky (not just because they sponsor Ferrari) for years and find it to be the best by far. I have the "Pure" version at the moment and it's super.
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Dare on December 27, 2011, 04:18:30 PM
I have a quick question for Darrell.

I told the repairman I had Window's 7 Home 64 bit and
he installed Windows Home 32 bit.Is there much difference in the 2
and if it is would it be worth my while ot try and get him to install the 64 bit?
Title: Re: dropped pc
Post by: Canada Darrell™ on December 27, 2011, 05:43:15 PM
Well, if it was me I would be back demanding he do it right. Here's a good article from Maximum PC from a couple years back on the subject.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/should_you_upgrade_64bit_windows_7 (http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/should_you_upgrade_64bit_windows_7)

...and here's my thoughts....

- if you had 4GB of RAM you don't anymore...you only have 3 'cause that's all that the 32bit version can address.

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