Hi Greg,
I wanted to upload the pic of my BIOS but I think I have to have the image on a website in order to upload it, so here's basically what the BIOS says anyway, in relation to the hard drive:
Fixed HDD: WDW WD5000BEKT-75KA9T0-(S1)
HDD Size: 500GB
Does this mean the hard drive is not dead?
Cheers,
Paul
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You have a Western Digital Hard drive. What were the results of the Dell Diagnostics I explained how to run?
Unplug the laptop and remove the battery. Hold the power button down for 30 seconds to drain residual power. Plug back in the A/C power and try the power button. What happens exactly?
Next reboot and tap the F8 key. Do you see Repair My Computer? See if it offers a repair and what happens from that. If not run Startup Repair. It should offer to System Restore, if not and it fails go back to the System Recovery Options to run System Restore.
If these are accessible it means the HD is functioning since they reside on the HD.
So work through the other step for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot which tries everything possible leading up to if necessary rescuiing any files to run Dell Factory PC Restore or do the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
Hi Greg, here is what I got when I ran the diagnostics. I also did what you suggested by removing the battery and power and holding the power button for 30 secs. When I restarted it did the same thing - just showed the two options to start Windows normally or do a startup repair, neither of these work. I just end up at this same screen again.
When the diagnostic did its thing, there was alot of beeping sounds going on.
Unfortunately that means your Hard drive has failed or is about to fail. I would remove it from the system and try to recover your files by plugging it in with a Sata/USB adapter or by connecting it directly to the inside of another computer via the Sata cable.
Oh really, what a nightmare. Would it even be worth giving this a go before I go and get a Sata cable to plug it into another computer?
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...cy-backup.html
Thanks for the help
Yes, that would be useful to rescue any files, or using the Win7 disk you can Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console, or use Paragon Rescue Kit Free Edition Free Download - Softpedia CD. Copy files to a USB device.
Were you able to complete the test?
Hi,
I just want to let you know that I got this mess sorted with the help of my cousin, he took my hard drive out and used it as an external drive in his laptop. It would not read at first, so he used the following in command prompt:
chdsk (my hard drive letter) :/f and it was then readable and I could then see all of my data. I'm in the process of copying it onto an external drive now, no way I am going to chance using this drive again.
I want to use 2 drives in my laptop moving forward, one ssd and then a normal one. I was wondering if anyone could recommend which combo to use and is this the correct/best way to go with getting my laptop going again? I hear it's a good idea to have the operating system and programs I use on the ssd then all my data on a separate drive?
Thanks so much to you all for the replies and help!
Paul
Install the OS to the SSD, the move the User folders to the HDD: User Folders - Change Default Location, alternatively create new User folders on the HDD which you then rightclick to add to the related Library - Include a Folder setting the data drive one as the default: Library - Set Save Folder.
If you stick with these steps, tools and methods for the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 then you'll have a perfect install for as long as you do.
OK thanks for the info Greg
Greg, is there any specific brands of hard drives you would recommend for the SSD and the regular one?
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