blue screen, harrdrive failure ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rick Stahl
  • Start date Start date
R

Rick Stahl

I have a Dell Inspiron which no longer boots to windows, only blue screen.
The following error codes were reported after doing diagnostic tests:
Confidence Test: 0F00: 1344, Read Test: 0F00: 0244, Verify Test: 0F00: 1A44.
Does this mean that my harddrive is shot and if so how can I recover My
Documents ? At the DOS prompt I cannot find the Windows Directory to access
files. Please help me retreive my important files. Thank you.
 
Rick Stahl said:
I have a Dell Inspiron which no longer boots to windows, only blue screen.
The following error codes were reported after doing diagnostic tests:
Confidence Test: 0F00: 1344, Read Test: 0F00: 0244, Verify Test: 0F00:
1A44. Does this mean that my harddrive is shot and if so how can I recover
My Documents ? At the DOS prompt I cannot find the Windows Directory to
access files. Please help me retreive my important files. Thank you.
Click to expand...

It sounds like your hard drive may well be on it's way out, but you may be
able to rescue your files. Try running the Windows Recovery Console by
booting from an XP CD. From here, run fixboot, fixmbr and then chkdsk /r. If
your system is still under warranty, get on to Dell, they should be able to
replace the drive for you.

Geo
 
It sounds like your hard drive may well be on it's way out, but you
may be able to rescue your files. Try running the Windows Recovery
Console by booting from an XP CD. From here, run fixboot, fixmbr and
then chkdsk /r.
Click to expand...

VERY undesirable approach if the hard drive is dying.
 
Rod Speed said:
VERY undesirable approach if the hard drive is dying.
Click to expand...

All I'm suggesting is a way the OP could rescue his files, not a long term
solution. I've no doubt the hard-drive needs replaced.

Geo
 
All I'm suggesting is a way the OP could rescue his files,
Click to expand...

Thats a lousy way of rescuing the files.
MUCH better to use a decent recovery app.
not a long term solution. I've no doubt the hard-drive needs replaced.
Click to expand...

Sure, I was also talking about recoverying what is recoverable, if what
matters hasnt been adequately backed up, not a long term solution.
 
I agree. If the drive is dying: DO NOT do *anything* that may corrupt
the file system (further).

RUN out and get a new drive, NOW!
Disconnect the old drive for now.

Install the operating system, updates and drivers on the new drive.

Now, reconnect the old drive as a Secondary Drive and copy you files
to the new drive.
 
Rod said:
Wrong, as always. ALL I wanted to do was warn against using THAT
approach.
Click to expand...

So, you didn't want to help the OP, just warn against Geoham's suggestion.
Very helpful, that.
 
chrisv said:
Rod Speed wrote
Click to expand...
So, you didn't want to help the OP,
Click to expand...

I was planning to do some more research on those specific error messages
and was planning to say more about the recovery of the files *IF* it looked
likely that they did indicate a hard drive problem. And wanted to warn against
using that particular approach immediately, in case he tried that immediately.
just warn against Geoham's suggestion. Very helpful, that.
Click to expand...

Leaves anything you ever did for dead thanks.
 
Julie said:
chrisv wrote
Click to expand...
..and pretty typical for Mr. Speed.
Click to expand...

If you actually are so stupid that you cant manage to grasp that
its important to warn against what is dangerous to the data...

And like that other gutless clown, it leaves anything you had to offer for dead.
 
Rick Stahl said:
I have a Dell Inspiron which no longer boots to windows, only blue screen.
Click to expand...
The following error codes were reported after doing diagnostic tests: Confidence Test:
0F00: 1344, Read Test: 0F00: 0244, Verify Test: 0F00: 1A44.
Click to expand...

You should have posted the other stuff the diagnostics said.
Does this mean that my harddrive is shot
Click to expand...

Yep, looks like it.
and if so how can I recover My Documents ?
Click to expand...
At the DOS prompt I cannot find the Windows Directory to access files. Please help me
retreive my important files.
Click to expand...

Best to replace the drive and keep the failing drive.

Recover to the new drive and then put the dying drive back
in the system and use a decent diagnostic to recover what
is recoverable from the dying drive. I like Easy Recovery
Pro, but it isnt free and is too expensive to buy for that.

There are other free recovery utes around, havent compared
them carefully against ERC with a known bad drive.
 
Rod Speed said:
You should have posted the other stuff the diagnostics said.


Yep, looks like it.



Best to replace the drive and keep the failing drive.
Click to expand...
Recover to the new drive and then put the dying drive back in the system
Click to expand...

You'll obviously either have to put it in an external housing or put
the drive in a desktop system with an adapter if you have one.
 
Thanks Steve,

Sounds good. This is what I was planning on doing but just needed some
confirmation.

Now if you could help me with the steps to install the new harddrive I would
greatly appreciate it. I am capable of physically installing it as the
master and the old one as the slave but not sure about the BIOS, software,
drivers, etc. Any advice on detailed steps would be a big help. Thank you
!
 
Thanks for the advice about retreiving my files and for the link if I need
it. I appreciate it. Thanks !
 
Thanks Steve,

Sounds good. This is what I was planning on doing but just needed some
confirmation.

Now if you could help me with the steps to install the new harddrive I would
greatly appreciate it. I am capable of physically installing it as the
master and the old one as the slave but not sure about the BIOS, software,
drivers, etc. Any advice on detailed steps would be a big help. Thank you
!
Click to expand...
DELL has everything you need on the installation and recovery CD(s),
www.dell.com even has instructions on how to remove the old hardware
(at least for desktops, they do). They will also have the *latest*
drivers, but that can wait if you have the recovery CD.

I missed the fact that it was a notebook the first time. Things just
got trickier on the file recovery part.

Dell uses F2 to get to the BIOS on all my Dell desktops (I use Toshiba
for my notebooks) , but I believe that it displays messages during
POST.

You will need to do a fresh (restore to factory new) install on your
new drive. Do all your updates, reinstall your additional programs.
Then you should be ready to attempt recovery of your other files.

Now for the choices since there is no 'second drive bay' that most
desktops have.

Some (upgrade) drives come with a transfer kit (mine used a PCMCIA
card and cable).

If you have a desktop, there is a Notebook drive to IDE cable adapter
and you could attach the drive as a secondary on your desktop long
enough to copy your files to CD,your HD or use your network to share
There are also drive housings for 2.5 inch drives (great if you want
to get a second NEW drive after the recovery).


Someone else (or the upgrade kit instructions) will tell you how to
remove the old drive.

Good luck.
Steve
 
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