Serious problem: A disk read error occurred

I'm currently sitting at a stationary computer with Windows XP. My laptop has Windows 7 64-bit, and I can see that Ubuntu has two versions: 32-bit and 64-bit. Which one do I download?

Hi Jay,

Since the warranty issue has been mentioned multiple times in this thread, I assume there must be some reason you don't want to take that route. Greg's advice is good, and I recommend you follow his advice and run the HD diagnostics before anything else.

That said, 32 bit will suffice regardless of whether you are running 32 or 64 bit windows. Again, since this issue has been occurring for well over a month, if you haven't run the HD diagnostics software, it's time to do so.

James

James Colbert said:

Hi Jay,

Since the warranty issue has been mentioned multiple times in this thread, I assume there must be some reason you don't want to take that route. Greg's advice is good, and I recommend you follow his advice and run the HD diagnostics before anything else.

That said, 32 bit will suffice regardless of whether you are running 32 or 64 bit windows. Again, since this issue has been occurring for well over a month, if you haven't run the HD diagnostics software, it's time to do so.

James

Well, the only reason why I haven't used the warranty yet, is because I want my files back.
If I give them my laptop they will probably fix it, but I will lose all my files.

I already did call them once: https://www.sevenforums.com/1221856-post32.html

I will try to run the HD diagnostics, if only I can open the cd drive.

Is it this little black hole you're referring to?

I will try to run the HD diagnostics, if only I can open the cd drive.

The button doesn't work? The machine would have to be powered on (it doesn't have to be 'in windows'. You can even push the button while the machine is posting and the tray should open.).

If, for whatever reason the button doesn't work (the machine doesn't need power for this method):

The image of the CD drive face is a bit blurry, but the hole is just a hole (not a headphone jack), about the right size to insert an 'unfolded' (standard sized) paper clip end into. Unfold the paper clip, insert it into the hole and firmly push inward. The drive tray should open and you should be able to gently pull it out the rest of the way.

James

James Colbert said:

The button doesn't work? The machine would have to be powered on (it doesn't have to be 'in windows'. You can even push the button while the machine is posting and the tray should open.).

If, for whatever reason the button doesn't work (the machine doesn't need power for this method):

The image of the CD drive face is a bit blurry, but the hole is just a hole (not a headphone jack), about the right size to insert an 'unfolded' (standard sized) paper clip end into. Unfold the paper clip, insert it into the hole and firmly push inward. The drive tray should open and you should be able to gently pull it out the rest of the way.

James

There wasn't a button, but I opened with a papir clip like you advised.
I downloaded Ubuntu and burned to a cd using Infra Recorder, which they advise on the site Download | Ubuntu.

I then put the cd in my laptop, turned it on, and pressed F2 to get in to the setup, where I changed the boot priority, so the USB CDROM was on the top of the list.

Like this:

1. USB CDROM :
2. IDE0 : Toshiba MK6465GSX
3. IDE1 : HL-DT-STDVDRAM GT31N
4. USB FDD :
5. Network Boot: Atheros Boot Agent :
6. USB HDD :

I saved the settings and went out of the menu. Absolutely nothing happened. The same text appeared: "A disk read error occured".

What did I do wrong?

When you saved and exited the bios, was the Ubuntu CD in the USB CDROM?
Why are you using an external USB CD drive? Have you tried using the internal DVD drive (STDVDRAM GT31N)?

If no results with above, If you have another system available, you should try booting the Ubuntu CD in that one to ensure that you have a good DL/burn.

James

James Colbert said:

When you saved and exited the bios, was the Ubuntu CD in the USB CDROM?
Why are you using an external USB CD drive? Have you tried using the internal DVD drive (STDVDRAM GT31N)?

If no results with above, If you have another system available, you should try booting the Ubuntu CD in that one to ensure that you have a good DL/burn.

James

Ah, that must be the problem. I didn't put the internal DVD drive as number 1 in the boot priority list.
I will try it now.

Okay, that helped a bit. The Ubuntu screen appeared and I was given two choices. Install or try. I chose "try" as you said earlier... and it worked!

I'm in the documents folder, and my files are there! :)

So do I just connect my external hard drive now and then transfer the files to that? I'm guessing it's safe to do now?

Jay10 said:

Okay, that helped a bit. The Ubuntu screen appeared and I was given two choices. Install or try. I chose "try" as you said earlier... and it worked!

I'm in the documents folder, and my files are there! :)

So do I just connect my external hard drive now and then transfer the files to that? I'm guessing it's safe to do now?

Yes, connect your external drive now. You may have to "mount' it, and as you may have seen, the drives are not 'named' the same as in windows. Offload your files to the external drive as quickly as you can.

Afterwards, you can run the HD diagnostics and check (and maybe save) the HD.

James

James Colbert said:

Yes, connect your external drive now. You may have to "mount' it, and as you may have seen, the drives are not 'named' the same as in windows. Offload your files to the external drive as quickly as you can.

Afterwards, you can run the HD diagnostics and check (and maybe save) the HD.

James

Good. It's in the middle of the night over here, and I've been transfering files for the past hour and it's really taking a long time because of the amount of files. But I'm happy that I finally gained access to them.

Do you think I should run Acer's own E-recovery? Last time I ran it, I got the option of deleting/resetting every thing, but I didn't do it because of my files. Now that I have a back-up, I shouldn't have anything to lose.