reboot failure HD not detected: BIOS???

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Guest

When I turned my pc on this morning it froze so I manually rebooted. I got a
black screen and an error message allowing me to press F1 to reboot or F2 for
setup. F1 repeated the same message; F2 showed me the HD was unavailable. I
set BIOS to auto detect the HD, escaped and got the same message over and
over: F1 or F2, with only F2 working. BIOS continually showed HD not
detected, so all my repair/reinstall disks were useless. After repeatedly
rebooting manually, XP booted for a while, then froze again. When I manually
shut off, then on again several times, I got a message that reboot failed and
to contact Dell (pc is well out of warranty). I was able to get online for a
while before it froze again--no keyboard or usb mouse would work. Other error
messages said only the system would be damaged by further attempts to reboot
.. PC wouldn't turn on at all, just a "whir sound" and then shut off
completely. When I got xp to start up again I started a thorough virus scan
which was interrupted by another warning about system damage with an error
message that was on and off so quick I couldn't write it down, just remember
"KRNL"?? After another wait it finally booted and still hangs a bit, but if
I go offline Mozilla closes (crashes) and I can go back on--have not had to
shut off or reboot. IE also hangs, but doesn't crash. Anti-virus and Windows
update are up-to-date. I don't understand BIOS--if this happens again what
can I do?
 
sg said:
When I turned my pc on this morning it froze so I manually rebooted.
I got a black screen and an error message allowing me to press F1 to
reboot or F2 for setup. F1 repeated the same message; F2 showed me
the HD was unavailable. I set BIOS to auto detect the HD, escaped
and got the same message over and over: F1 or F2, with only F2
working. BIOS continually showed HD not detected, so all my
repair/reinstall disks were useless. After repeatedly rebooting
manually, XP booted for a while, then froze again. When I manually
shut off, then on again several times, I got a message that reboot
failed and to contact Dell (pc is well out of warranty). I was able
to get online for a while before it froze again--no keyboard or usb
mouse would work. Other error messages said only the system would be
damaged by further attempts to reboot . PC wouldn't turn on at all,
just a "whir sound" and then shut off completely. When I got xp to
start up again I started a thorough virus scan which was interrupted
by another warning about system damage with an error message that was
on and off so quick I couldn't write it down, just remember "KRNL"??
After another wait it finally booted and still hangs a bit, but if I
go offline Mozilla closes (crashes) and I can go back on--have not
had to shut off or reboot. IE also hangs, but doesn't crash.
Anti-virus and Windows update are up-to-date. I don't understand
BIOS--if this happens again what can I do?
Click to expand...


Your hard drive is toast, need a new one and a total reinstall

Clark...
 
Clark... said:
Your hard drive is toast, need a new one and a total reinstall

Clark...
--
Don't you have Google in your part of the world?


I'm using the hard drive now, which means you are wrong .
Click to expand...
 
sg said:
:


I'm using the hard drive now, which means you are wrong .
Click to expand...

Back up all your important files while you can! The problem you
experienced can only be caused by failing hardware, it isn't an
operating system (Windows) problem. The symptoms are consistent with
that of a failing hard drive, don't be lulled into believing that the
drive isn't faulty just because it "eventually" booted, the next time it
may not boot at all! Go to your hard drive manufacturer's web site and
get a diagnostic utility for your disk and run it to see what it
reports. Your problem could also be caused by a loose connection to the
drive, open the case and reseat the cables at the drive and motherboard.

John
 
- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

DO NOT RELY ON THIS HARD DRIVE!!!

The drive is dieing and will be toast anytime soon. Usually the hard
drive dies a "slow" and "painful" death like your description.
 
sg said:
When I turned my pc on this morning it froze so I manually rebooted. I got a
black screen and an error message allowing me to press F1 to reboot or F2 for
setup. F1 repeated the same message; F2 showed me the HD was unavailable. I
set BIOS to auto detect the HD, escaped and got the same message over and
over: F1 or F2, with only F2 working. BIOS continually showed HD not
detected, so all my repair/reinstall disks were useless. After repeatedly
rebooting manually, XP booted for a while, then froze again. When I manually
shut off, then on again several times, I got a message that reboot failed and
to contact Dell (pc is well out of warranty). I was able to get online for a
while before it froze again--no keyboard or usb mouse would work. Other error
messages said only the system would be damaged by further attempts to reboot
. PC wouldn't turn on at all, just a "whir sound" and then shut off
completely. When I got xp to start up again I started a thorough virus scan
which was interrupted by another warning about system damage with an error
message that was on and off so quick I couldn't write it down, just remember
"KRNL"?? After another wait it finally booted and still hangs a bit, but if
I go offline Mozilla closes (crashes) and I can go back on--have not had to
shut off or reboot. IE also hangs, but doesn't crash. Anti-virus and Windows
update are up-to-date. I don't understand BIOS--if this happens again what
can I do?
Click to expand...

Go to the hard drive manufacturer's web site and download their free
diagnostic test software which will create a bootable diskette or CD
(most have both versions available).

Boot the computer with the diagnostic disk and *believe* what the test
tells you. If it fails S.M.A.R.T. or if the diagnostic produces any
error codes run, don't walk, to your closest computer dealer and get a
new hard drive.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
 
sg said:
When I turned my pc on this morning it froze so I manually rebooted. I got a
black screen and an error message allowing me to press F1 to reboot or F2 for
setup. F1 repeated the same message; F2 showed me the HD was unavailable. I
set BIOS to auto detect the HD, escaped and got the same message over and
over: F1 or F2, with only F2 working. BIOS continually showed HD not
detected, so all my repair/reinstall disks were useless. After repeatedly
rebooting manually, XP booted for a while, then froze again. When I manually
shut off, then on again several times, I got a message that reboot failed and
to contact Dell (pc is well out of warranty). I was able to get online for a
while before it froze again--no keyboard or usb mouse would work. Other error
messages said only the system would be damaged by further attempts to reboot
. PC wouldn't turn on at all, just a "whir sound" and then shut off
completely. When I got xp to start up again I started a thorough virus scan
which was interrupted by another warning about system damage with an error
message that was on and off so quick I couldn't write it down, just remember
"KRNL"?? After another wait it finally booted and still hangs a bit, but if
I go offline Mozilla closes (crashes) and I can go back on--have not had to
shut off or reboot. IE also hangs, but doesn't crash. Anti-virus and Windows
update are up-to-date. I don't understand BIOS--if this happens again what
can I do?
Click to expand...


Replace the defective hard drive?

--

Bruce Chambers

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killed a great many philosophers.
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