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Big boot-up problems

albert
Rising Star
Posts: 127
Thanks: 1
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎22-08-2007

Big boot-up problems

My daughter's, pc has big problems (it's an Evesham, who have stopped trading). It won't boot up. When you first switch on it says something about 'ethernet cable missing'. It gets a certain distance, such as 'checking DMI pool' but then says 'failed to boot' and asks for the 'recovery' CD. But when you put in the recovery CD it doesn't seem able to read it. In the BIOS it doesn't seem to be able to detect the HDD. It is also making some clunking noises!
All this has happened once before (some months ago). On that occasion we put the 'recovery' CD in and Windows reinstalled.
It's possible that we might find that the CD drive suddenly works but my daughter is very worried about losing all her files (which, needless to say, she hasn't backed up).  Cry
What would you advise?
a) if we manage to reinstall Windows, will her files be accessible so that we can at least back them up or will they have been 'lost'?
b) if we pull out the HDD is it possible to recover files (and where would you go to do that - is it expensive??)
c) should we buy a new pc?
I'd be grateful for any advice.
Thanks,
"Albert"
23 REPLIES 23
pierre_pierre
Grafter
Posts: 19,757
Thanks: 3
Registered: ‎30-07-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

It depends if the problem is with the HDD, dont like the sound of the Clunking,  You can get a cheap caddy that takes the drive and connects to another PC via usb.
Dont scrap any computer with the HDD in it
artmo
Aspiring Champion
Posts: 19,524
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Registered: ‎12-08-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

If you have a friendly PC chappie he should be able to retrieve your data for you.  Sounds like a HD problem.  Fortunately they are expensive to replace but as Pierre said, be careful when getting rid of the old one.
VileReynard
Hero
Posts: 12,616
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Registered: ‎01-09-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

Open up the PC and check that the HD spins up when you apply power.
Check for any loose connections.

"In The Beginning Was The Word, And The Word Was Aardvark."

Santiago
Grafter
Posts: 3,291
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Registered: ‎10-08-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

axisofevil also meant to say "be careful because there is a risk of electrocution if you power up the PC with the cover off"
I had a couple of problem hard drives and managed to recover data ok.
As mentioned earlier you can connect your hard drive to another computer.  I used one of these these
I was able to browse the drive and recover what I needed.
You can get an EASY IDE at Maplins
I hope this helps
chillypenguin
Grafter
Posts: 4,729
Registered: ‎04-04-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

Quote from: artmo
Fortunately they are expensive to replace but as Pierre said, be careful when getting rid of the old one.

I am sure that artmo's meant inexpensive  Wink
artmo
Aspiring Champion
Posts: 19,524
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Registered: ‎12-08-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

yes, I did mean inexpensive - started on the Merlot early  Grin Grin
albert
Rising Star
Posts: 127
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Registered: ‎22-08-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

thanks, everyone. It sounds as if there is hope!
albert
Rising Star
Posts: 127
Thanks: 1
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎22-08-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

PS
I've found a friend who seems to know how to look at the data on a HDD if I give it to him.
Fraid I'm not technical.
a) what is involved in removing a HDD?
b) how expensive would a new one be?
Ta!
artmo
Aspiring Champion
Posts: 19,524
Thanks: 421
Registered: ‎12-08-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

Depending on what you want a new HD will be from around £32 and up.  Have a look at: http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=2266
VileReynard
Hero
Posts: 12,616
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Registered: ‎01-09-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

Quote from: Santiago
axisofevil also meant to say "be careful because there is a risk of electrocution if you power up the PC with the cover off"

No I didn't  Smiley
So long as you don't poke your fingers inside the power supply, you will be safe!
However, do take anti-static precautions (small voltages can easily destroy your chips).

"In The Beginning Was The Word, And The Word Was Aardvark."

albert
Rising Star
Posts: 127
Thanks: 1
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Registered: ‎22-08-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

The current HDD is a Western Digital WD 1600 160 GB 7,200 rpm
Will any HDD do or does it have to have the same specs?
artificer
Grafter
Posts: 1,850
Registered: ‎11-08-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

the important part is wether, or not, it's ide.  other than that, practically any drive will do.  maxtor, fujitsu, seagate, they're all good.  dependent upon the bios, you could have a bigger drive.
artmo
Aspiring Champion
Posts: 19,524
Thanks: 421
Registered: ‎12-08-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

I've always heard Maxtor or Seagate are the best but I know a lot of people who don't like Western. 
albert
Rising Star
Posts: 127
Thanks: 1
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎22-08-2007

Re: Big boot-up problems

thanks, everyone, for all the advice... very helpful.
I've now removed the HDD and I'll get a friend to try connecting it to his PC.
In the meantime I'll get a replacement and hope that I can get Windows reinstalled. (Shouldn't be too difficult, just time-consuming).
This forum is great for non-techno types like me  Cool