Disk Read Error after Win7 upgrade

maxe · 13 Aug 2010

Hi,

I recently formatted my XP SP3 harddrive and installed a legit Windows 7 Professional update over the top.

Its worked fine for multiple boots until I had the first big windows update go through, and since then I get the "A Disk Read Error has occured" message on startup.

The first time this occured, I managed to boot off the update disc and roll back the update, then the machine booted fine.

The updates, of course, installed again next time I turned the machine off, and again I got the disk read error on boot-up, although now the machine is not recognising my keyboard.

The OS is installed on a sigle partition 750gb SATA drive, with a 1.5tb SATA drive running secondary.

I realise this isn't a lot of info to go off, but being unable to get into the PC there isn't much more I can find out. If anyone has experienced something similar please let me know

thanks

Petey7 · 13 Aug 2010

Can you use the keyboard at all, like when during the BIOS POST to get into the advanced options menu (F10 or F8, can't remember off the top of my head). I would try to do the same thing you did before, and then set Windows Updates to ask your permission before installing anything. Then you can install 2 or 3 at a time, which usually works better than installing a large number of them at once.

It could be that some piece of hard ware is actually going bad. Based on the symptoms, I'd say the hard drive or the mother board.

maxe · 13 Aug 2010

Thats looking more like the answer actually.

After posting this, I opened my case and re-seated the cables on my OS drive (which seemed to be sitting fine already).

On reboot I was automatically forwarded to the Windows 7 boot menu (does this happen automatically if you unplug the power cable to the PSU?), but the keyboard inputs still weren't recognised. After rebooting again, Windows started normally and the keyboard and mouse worked fine.

In other news, some of the fans inside my case aren't functioning, and I've had a PSU blow in this case a few months back, so I guess its my hardware thats at fault.

I may have jumped the gun a little, thanks for your help :)

Petey7 · 13 Aug 2010

The fans not running isn't good. I would start trying to find a way to fix or replace them. Fans can often be bought pretty cheap online.

karlsnooks · 13 Aug 2010

I agree with Petey.

Keep the cover off. Until hardware is up to speed. Don't even worry about running Win 7.

My first guess is that your Power Supply Unit has gone south (or maybe at this time of the year north).

After replacing the PSU, do the fans work.

Without fans, your computer is going to crash and die a quick and agonizing death. Your computer is crying out to you for help. Be a good Samaritan and render aid.