Having a problem with my hard drive, computer won't go past booting up

When I start up my computer I get a notice telling me that a parameter has exceded it's normal operating range, and to back up any data. Usually I just pressed F1 to continue the booting process, but I can't do that anymore. I can't even press F2. What can I do? Is my HD dead?

That's a possibility, but if it were caput, you would get a no boot device error.

Any prior symptoms leading up to this?

And, what is that F1 to continue to boot thing? You know that's not normal.

It's also possible you were hit with malware.

Couple of things to try:
1. Enlist the help of a friends pc, and download the Seatools diagnostic iso; burn it to cd using ImgBurn at 4x speed. Boot your machine with it and do the tests. Seatools will work with most hd's. If the hd passes, go to step 2.

2. Download the Kaspersky rescue disc iso, and burn this to cd disc as well. Make sure your internet connection is good so you can update the program when it loads. Boot up with this, update, and run the scan. Let us know all the results.

Please fill in all your specs!

Thanks for the replies, guys! And I'd really like to try these solutions, but pressing any of the F keys does nothing at all, so how would I be able to boot from my external optical? Have to use an external since my installed OD is very limited. And sorry, but I don't really know the specs. It was pretty recently purchased for me since my last computer fried. I don't think the keyboard's busted either. My mouse lights up when plugged in and another keyboard I have didn't work either.

I'd post a picture but it isn't going through for some reason. The F1 button is to continue, the F2 is the run the setup utility. Also, it says "A parameter out if range may or may not indicate a potential hard drive problem".

Yeah, it brought me to the setup screen when it did work. I backed out shortly after since I had no idea what I was doing. But no, the F1 doesn't work on either keyboard I tried out. I get no response from either of them besides lighting up the mouse's laser.

ps2 keyboard? And no, the mouse lights up when plugged into the old keyboard I had. I thought I had the mouse plugged ino the new keyboard, but it was plugged into the computer. Pressing F1 or any other key does nothing at all.

Oh... wow. Why didn't I think of that? I was able to boot up by switching it up. Guess the port is faulty now? Thanks for the help, everyone.