Trouble formatting a USB as a boot device. (Many many errors)

Raindeux · 04 Apr 2012

Is anybody there?

I keep getting that error in my last post. Is my hard drive broke?

F5ing · 04 Apr 2012

Do you know how to get in to your computer's BIOS? When the machine is first started or rebooted you'll see some text on the screen that'll let you know what key you've got to press to access the BIOS (could be ESC, F2, DEL, or other key). Somewhere in your BIOS screens you'll likely to run across a way to test your hard drive. Run that if it's available. When done, make sure not to change any settings in there, unless you know what you're doing.

Raindeux · 04 Apr 2012

sibbil said:

Do you know how to get in to your computer's BIOS? When the machine is first started or rebooted you'll see some text on the screen that'll let you know what key you've got to press to access the BIOS (could be ESC, F2, DEL, or other key). Somewhere in your BIOS screens you'll likely to run across a way to test your hard drive. Run that if it's available. When done, make sure not to change any settings in there, unless you know what you're doing.

Yes, I'll try that after this. Im not sure how to check my hard drive though but I can get into it. After that first error a pop up comes up that says "Windows cannot access the installation sources. verify that the installation sources are accessible, and restart the installation."

What does that mean? My usb isnt accessible?

Edit: I started a Diagnostics test. is that what you meant?

It found a problem:

"Msg: Error code 2000-0146.
Msg: Hard Drive 0 - self test log contains previous error(s)
The given error code and message can be used by Technical Support to help diagnose the problem.
Do you want to continue testing?
Yes or No or Retry"

Raindeux · 05 Apr 2012

That means my hard drive is broken doesnt it?...wow all that time spent and my hard drive was broken anyways.

F5ing · 05 Apr 2012

Doesn't really look too good, but....

Do you know what brand hard drive it is?

F5ing · 05 Apr 2012

Check this link out: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?docid=DSN_300428&isLegacy=true

First step mentions removing and reinstalling the hard drive and rerunning the test (remove cables and then reconnect).

Raindeux · 05 Apr 2012

sibbil said:

Check this link out: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?docid=DSN_300428&isLegacy=true

First step mentions removing and reinstalling the hard drive and rerunning the test (remove cables and then reconnect).

Its a Toshiba 640gig 5400 rpm hard drive. I've taken the laptop apart and taken the hard drive out before, when it first stopped working. Could this mean I didn't re-install it back correctly? It also only has 3 screws, I'm not sure what happened to the 4th one but its gone now, it was gone before the hard drive stopped working. Hmm i guess I should take it apart and see what I find. I'm starting to think the drive is broken. At least I know how to swipe hard drives perfectly now lmao!

Thank you everyone who helped. but I'm almost positive this thing is toast now.

F5ing · 05 Apr 2012

Look, you've done it before. Remove and replace like you've done before, and re-test:

Make sure to remove all power, wired and battery, then press the power button for about 10 seconds or so to ensure complete discharge. Also beware of static charges. Then go to it. It's worth a shot...

joodoo · 05 Apr 2012

joodoo said:

Is the partition marked "Active"?
Open a command prompt as administrator >
Type:
diskpart > enter
list disk > enter
select disk * > enter (*= USB drive}
clean > enter
format > enter
create partition primary > enter
select partition 1 > enter
active > enter
assign > enter
exit > enter
Extract the files from the .ISO to the USB device.
Should be bootable (works for me).

Breezy

Raindeux said:

Everything there worked except the format stage, which is odd.

I am so sorry to have botched the order of commands. I have edited my original post.
Please forgive my hastily typed instructions.

gregrocker · 05 Apr 2012

After reinstalling the HD run the self-test again to see if it clears up. If not you likely have a failing HD.

You can test the HD by running it's maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan which can also repair a failing HD.

For Toshiba I would download Seagate Seatools, burn to CD using Windows Image Burner, then run the full test. If it passes the test, use the utility on the disk to wipe the HD and retry install.