Hard Drive MBR Corrupt

[socav]

I have Windows 7 RC installed on my computer. It's been running fine since I installed it soon after it was released.

Now, it won't boot up anymore. I've done some testing and it seems that the MBR is corrupt. Windows Startup Repair can't fix it, and when I use the command prompt to restore the MBR (E:\boot>bootsect /nt60 c: /mbr) it gives an I/O device error.

When I run Parted Magic, it reads the HDD just fine. Worst case scenario, I transfer all of my music, pictures, and movies to a new drive, then reformat and reinstall.

However, I would like to fix it if possible. Any suggestions?

btw, it's a fairly new 500GB Seagate HDD. I don't think there's anything physically wrong with the drive.

Thanks, I appreciate any help you can give me.

 

[Tews]

See Tutorial --==> Here

 

[socav]

See Tutorial --==> Here

Please read my post again. The method that I tried is the method in that tutorial - it did not work.

It gave me a device I/O error.

 

[Antman]

Please read my post again. The method that I tried is the method in that tutorial - it did not work.

It gave me a device I/O error.

I read your post, again. You did not reference the tutorial. I suppose we could all memorize, in detail, everything written in every tutorial. That would be nice.

What is not nice, is telling someone "Please read my post again".

 

[Tews]

And on that note, I'm 10-7

 

[socav]

I'm sorry, I'm a horrible person. Please forgive my ignorance.

Any ideas?

 

[SquonkSC]

Please read my post again. The method that I tried is the method in that tutorial - it did not work.

It gave me a device I/O error.

Hi Socav, format won't fix MBR.

Isn't "E:\boot>bootsect /nt60 c: /mbr" the command for vista?

As far as I know:
/nt60 = Vista
/nt52 = XP

Don't know what Win7 is, but suspect /nt61

greetz

 

[socav]

Ooh, reformat won't fix it? Good to know. Thank you very much.

I'll try nt61. Thanks for your help, squonksc.

 

[socav]

Tried nt61 - would not let me give that command. According to the tutorial, the command is nt60 for any O/S Vista or later.

Here's the exact error message: "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error."

This might also be helpful to know: I have a Windows 7 Beta install on another HDD. When I boot to that drive and open up 'My Computer', the Seagate drive is present, but I cannot explore it. It gives me an I/O error. But as mentioned earlier, I can access the disk through Part Magic.

 

[sup3rsprt]

Parted Magic is a Linux live CD right?

You might try backing up your data, completely wiping the drive with all zeros (using Linux CD), and then reformatting it inside Windows. Windows will write a new partition table and perhaps even MBR to the disk when you format it.

 

[iseeuu]

Tried nt61 - would not let me give that command. According to the tutorial, the command is nt60 for any O/S Vista or later.

Here's the exact error message: "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error."

This might also be helpful to know: I have a Windows 7 Beta install on another HDD. When I boot to that drive and open up 'My Computer', the Seagate drive is present, but I cannot explore it. It gives me an I/O error. But as mentioned earlier, I can access the disk through Part Magic.

Using bootsect and exactly what it will and will not do is some what confusing. The utility has morphed from build to build. The tutorial in question has been updated to reflect current, more correct information.

nt52 will update the "bootsector code" (not the MBR) to the NTDLR bootmanager for 2000 and XP.

nt60 will update the "bootsector code" for the bootmgr used by Vista and 7.

Step 9 of the tutorial references the utility bootrec, which will restore the MBR - see the link for how to use it.

Cheers!

Robert

 

[socav]

Thanks, sup3rsprt. I will try that if I can't fix the MBR.

Yes, Parted Magic is a Linux live CD. It's actually on a CD called "Ultimate Boot CD" along with many other applications and tools.

 

[SquonkSC]

Tried nt61 - would not let me give that command. According to the tutorial, the command is nt60 for any O/S Vista or later.

Here's the exact error message: "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error."

This might also be helpful to know: I have a Windows 7 Beta install on another HDD. When I boot to that drive and open up 'My Computer', the Seagate drive is present, but I cannot explore it. It gives me an I/O error. But as mentioned earlier, I can access the disk through Part Magic.

If the MBR can't be written because of I/O error, No OS can be installed on it, because when it want's to write to the MBR it will fail.

Part Magic can read the disk because it doesn't need the MBR.

I don't know Part Magic, I do know Partition Magic. Is that what you mean?

Greetz

Edit: Just saw Iseeuu's post when I finished this.
I see it's not the MBR that can't be written but the Bootsector.

Hope the MBR can be written because then you should be able to clean install win7.

 

[socav]

Thanks, both of you. I tried both of the "bootrec /fixmbr" and "bootrec /fixboot" commands and got this error message both times:

"A device attached to the system is not functioning"

I am giving the command from c:\boot>


Yes, I think I am referring to Partition Magic.

 

[iseeuu]

Thanks, both of you. I tried both of the "bootrec /fixmbr" and "bootrec /fixboot" commands and got this error message both times:

"A device attached to the system is not functioning"

I am giving the command from c:\boot>


Yes, I think I am referring to Partition Magic.

OK this doesn't sound good at all. I would strongly recommend you save all your data, if you haven't already, while you still can. Then go to the Seagate website and get their disk utility and have it check out your drive. It may be warranty time.

Robert

 

[socav]

Alright, thanks. I'll do that now.

 

[SquonkSC]

Even worse. I don't think he can save his data.

It could be the print plate on the disk is broken, or the disk head won't release from the parking zone.

Does the drive make any sound?'

Run the drive solo in your system and put your ear to it.

Tell us as detailed possible what you hear.

 

[chuckr]

Thanks, both of you. I tried both of the "bootrec /fixmbr" and "bootrec /fixboot" commands and got this error message both times:

"A device attached to the system is not functioning"

I am giving the command from c:\boot>

Since the HDD is relatively new, and did work for awhile, it should still be good.

The error msge sounds like a 'control signal' may be missing (to me).

Since you have some hw experience putting the HDD into the chassis,
you might want to try this:

1. Power off

1a. Use standard electrostatic precautions, etc.

2. At the HDD in question, gently remove the ribbon-cable PLUG.

2a. Look into the Ribbon-cable plug for 'open' (splayed?) connecting pins.

3. Give the HDD socket a good inspection for bent pins.
Flashlight if nec.

4. Plug the connector back in, remove it again, plug back in.

4a. While you're in there, push down GENTLY on the other end of the ribbon-cable, at the MB (careful here!).

5. Then retry, booting from DVD.

6. Use the CD \boot on the DVD.

7. Then the Bootsect command, with /nt60 option and the /mbr option.
See if you get the same error msge.

No guarantees here, just a suggestion...

 

[iseeuu]

Since the HDD is relatively new, and did work for awhile, it should still be good.

I hope your right Chuck for the sake of the OP. Hope your suggestions work.

You would expect a new drive to be good, but from what I have read of Steve Gibson's writings, it is just the opposite. My fear is that there are defects showing up in the area of the boot sector, not allowing that area to be written to. I hope I am wrong and Chuck is right.

Smart Disk (in non technical terms) has unused sectors of the drive set aside so when sectors go bad, they get blocked off and the data moved to other sectors using the ones set aside so as not to change the partition table, or something like that. Bottom line, disk failure is built-in. It is cheaper to replace 4 of 10 drives than to produce a quality drive with minimal defects, just my opinion.

Hope for the best.

Robert

 

[SquonkSC]

I asked the OP to tell us what sound(s) the disk makes.

I suspect the head is stuck in the landing zone.

If that's the case, a subtle hit on the left side of the disk (pins facing towards you) , might be enough to release the head from the LZ.

Disk must be powered on for this procedure.

This trick has 50/50 chance of working.

Edit: if it works, need to replace disk asap.