How do I fix Windows 7 OS

TVeblen said:

sezz said:

Also, regarding connecting it to another computer..

I do have another laptop, (the one I'm using now to talk to you)
If I were to test it in another computer, would I simply just open it up, switch hard drives & test it that way?

Yes, if you can get it to 'fit' with the connectors you can install it, go into the BIOS, and see if it shows up.
Do not expect it to start Windows. It won't.

The direct connection to desktop PC eliminates that SATA to Laptop connector as a possible point of failure.

Do you know if the sata hard drive fit into an Acer Aspire V5?

I agree with some of the above. To me as well it sounds like unfortunately your hard drive could have taken a dump. But trying to reconnect the cables may fix it. If it doesnt; well hopefully you have a backup of your important files etc. because you may need the backup to restore the files to another hard drive or another computer entirely if needed.

matts6887 said:

I agree with some of the above. To me as well it sounds like unfortunately your hard drive could have taken a dump. But trying to reconnect the cables may fix it. If it doesnt; well hopefully you have a backup of your important files etc. because you may need the backup to restore the files to another hard drive or another computer entirely if needed.

I am thinking the same thing.. Although I still want to test it considering I have come this far, & don't have a back up of the files. Not that there's anything too important besides maybe a few photos.

Yes, that photo is of a SATA drive (interface).

The simplest thing to do would be to get a SATA to USB conversion cable and try that, but that introduces the USB controller into things, producing a muddy picture if you can't connect or see it.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_8w9tdtgf1t_b

A more advanced method would be to switch the hard drive in your working laptop with this one. That will give you a clean(er) read.

Do you have any computer repair shops or stores near you? That would really be the best way considering you don't have a desktop to use.

sezz said:

Do you know if the sata hard drive fit into an Acer Aspire V5?

Most 2.5 inch drives are identical. And most will fit in any laptop.

As I said before, there may be an adapter to install on the business end of the drive to get it to interface with the ACER.

I checked to see if I could put the hard drive into my working laptop, but it won't fit into it.

I think I'll try and get an adapter to test it that way before going to a computer shop because an adapter seems like the cheaper option at the moment.
Thank you for all your help, once I've got an adapter I will check back!

Sounds like a plan!

Keep in mind though, that any decent shop will test the drive for little or no charge. It is a 15 minute test - while you wait. They will be hoping to sell a new hard drive, should yours turn out bad.
Now recovering data, that is another story.

BTW- if you do need to replace the drive, see if you can go for an SSD. You will not believe the difference that will make.

sezz said:

Okay..
Well, I do not have access to a desktop unfortunately.

The hard drive is like the picture I have attached, which is a standard SATA Hard drive yeah?
So, I need to purchase the appropriate converter cable, so I can test it. If I am understanding correct, I would plug into my laptop using the cable and see if it is recognised or not..

Hello!

If the other laptop has a SATA disk as well, you don't need to purchase anything. Just unplug the original disk and plug the other to test it. Any adapter will be attached at the original disk and you can just disconnect it and put on the test disk. You don't have to screw the tray just to test the disk, you can simple connect it in the SATA port.

matts6887 said:

I agree with some of the above. To me as well it sounds like unfortunately your hard drive could have taken a dump. But trying to reconnect the cables may fix it. If it doesnt; well hopefully you have a backup of your important files etc. because you may need the backup to restore the files to another hard drive or another computer entirely if needed.

You can try starting the laptop from a Windows CD/DVD. To change the boot priority either press F2 during startup to access BIOS, or F12 to select temporarily (in could be different key for your model). When the Windows Setup appears, hold SHIFT and press F10 (SHIFT+F10 combination) to see a command prompt. Then type the following command and press ENTER to execute:

chkdsk c: /F

If the disk is not dead and Windows can access it, this should correct all file table errors and the disk might be able to load Windows again. If Windows reply it cannot access the disk, it may have lost partition data, so you need a data recovery utility to access it without reading the partition table. If Windows reports there is no such disk, bad news, the disk is dead!

Once finished scanning the disk for errors and repairing them, you will be returned to the command prompt. Type this command and press ENTER to restart the computer. Eject the disk after restart to see if it loads Windows:

wpeutil reboot

Even if you are lucky enough that the disk works and you can take your data, I wouldn't trust it for long. I would buy an 2.5" SATA to USB enclosure (a little box the size of a cigarette packet that you put the disk in and converts it to an external USB disk) so I can use it as a second disk. But I would only use it to temporarily transfer some data from one computer to another, not for backup! These enclosures are as cheap as 10 Euros and come in many colors to choose. Of course the disk must then be treated as a removable device (never just pull it out, do a safe removal) to make it last as long as possible before it completely dies some time.