Drive not found/ Not waking up from sleep/ Please help

[puzoo]

I put my computer to sleep yesterday and it would not wake up. The screen would just stay black no matter what I did. I could hear the computer working but it just wouldn't wake up. When I shut it down manually and restarted I got a black screen with a message similar to "No drives were found. Press DEL to enter setup", then I get a screen with my motherboard logo P6T. I tried restarting several times and tried changing boot sequence in BIOS and finally Windows 7 started and I was back exactly where I left off with all the windows I had previously open.

But there is still a problem remaining. First, Acronis True Image could not finish the backup, giving me errors. Second, I have accidentally pressed the sleep button and almost the same thing happened. PC would not wake up and when I restarted it, I saw the same message about drives not found flashing at the top of my screen, then windows resuming message and it did start this time although it took ~ 5 min.
Then I finally managed to make an Acronis backup without errors.

What should I do to fix this? Is there a problem with my hard drive? Should I run chkdsk? But I'm afraid to lose data. I am afraid to turn my PC off now. LOL. But I have to go on vacation Wednesday and need to turn it off..
P.S. I had a similar issue once before, but at that time no messages about drive not found. SO I thought it was just a fluke. I guess not...
Please help! Thanks!

 

[brianzion]

hi i would system restore first, have you a windows recovery disc? please read brinks tutorial How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7 http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

 

[puzoo]

Thanks Brianzion.
Could you please explain why you think I should do System Recovery? My Windows seems to load fine once it finds the disk.
I think there are some errors on disk. I tried running chkdsk without restarting (via Tools>Check now) and it tells me after few seconds errors were found and to run it at startup. I'm not sure what is the proper way to proceed.
Which one should I do first chkdsk or System Recovery? Is there any program that can check/fix my disk for errors without restarting (as I'm afraid it might not restart if I shut it down) ?

 

[brianzion]

CHECK DISC IT FIRST

system restore it before the date that this started happening will put the pc hopefully back to running order fo the problem you have. have you had a look at the power option settings?

 

[brianzion]

AFTER CHECK DISK run this >>> How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker >>>>> http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[puzoo]

Thank you.
So, I'm a bit confused. Is this the right order?
1. I run chkdsk = means I have to restart the computer?
2. System restore
3.SFC Scannow

By the way I think I have an idea why this happened. I had my USB key plugged in when this occured.
Now I went to Performance Information and I noticed this message see attached.
So, I guess this might have been the reason. How can I update those drivers?

 

[brianzion]

1: Chkdsk
2: Sfc
3: System restore if the other actions do not solve your problem

data traveler files will be ok to remove. windows will re-install what drivers are required for thumb drives you plug in. make sure you are connected to the internet

 

[puzoo]

Sorry for asking so make questions which chkdsk should I run /f or /r?

 

[brianzion]

run it on the main drive it does not matter if disk is partitioned it will check whole disk for errors don't be sorry for asking ok just ask!!

 

[brianzion]

how are you getting on ?

 

[puzoo]

Thanks you for your help. I was just trying to back up everything before I do chkdsk. I had to go buy another external hdd. Finally, I won't have time to do chkdsk before I leave for my vacation. I'll have to do it when I get back in a week.
Then, we'll see
Also, I wasn't sure which switch to use for chkdsk F(fix errors) or R(repair bad sectors) as I asked in my previous question. I wasn't referring to partitions.

 

[brianzion]

ok let me no when you are back you can pm me if you want. i have my own pc to repair had a major crash today on mine all the drivers and usb controllers crashed plus lots of other bugs i will right a thread on it.

 

[puzoo]

Thanks! I did chkdsk and I realized that the reason I all of the sudden started to get my motherboard logo at start up was because I restored default BIOS options in order to get it working. It seems to be working fine now.
Now, I'm not sure should I update my BIOS which is 0801 from 02/09/2009 ?