Hard drive troubles and windows errors

[alyseshadow]

My computer gave me an error saying that it couldn't find the hard drive. I attempted multiple fixes to no avail. I finally was able to re-boot the computer from the windows 7 disk. I thought it was fixed, but I still get the blue screen of death randomly (with a huge windows error, that disappears in 5 seconds so I can't read it) and the computer still runs terribly slow.
Please help??!
Christina

 

[theog]

Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

 

[alyseshadow]

Currently completing that, but very very slowly. It's been going for 5 hours and at 13%. I hope it's working!?

 

[gregrocker]

Not a good sign. Which diagnostics are you running, and for what model/make HD?

Is the HD detected in BIOS setup? If not check or replace the cable.

Have you tried running ▶ Dell Hardware Diagnostics from F12 Menu?

To replace the HD on your Dell, google the model number + replace Hard Drive or disassemble to find a video showing how. You can also google for a replacement drive.

Then Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[alyseshadow]

I just went into the properties of hard drive and I'm scanning/fixing bad 'clusters' according to my computer, but it's been going for days and still only at 14%.?!?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

As Greg has already said not a good sign Christina can you verify what brand drive it is please? If you can run Speccy Speccy - Download or go to Control Panel and Device Mnager and open out as my pic.

 

[gregrocker]

I just went into the properties of hard drive and I'm scanning/fixing bad 'clusters' according to my computer, but it's been going for days and still only at 14%.?!?

It may be beyond fixing the file system with Disk Check so I would abort it to run the maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan.

John has above showed you how to determine your HD brand if you don't know it yet. Let us know if you have any problems finding the bootable diagnostics. For WD you'll need to run it from Windows after attaching the HD, or run Seatools which can test all brands.

 

[alyseshadow]

I found that it was a WD hard drive, ran the diagnostic tests. I keep getting an error
Quick test on drive 1 did not complete! Status code= 07 (failed read test element) Failure checkpoint = 97 (unknown test) Smart self test did not complete on drive 1

 

[Kaktussoft]

I found that it was a WD hard drive, ran the diagnostic tests. I keep getting an error
Quick test on drive 1 did not complete! Status code= 07 (failed read test element) Failure checkpoint = 97 (unknown test) Smart self test did not complete on drive 1

Rescue all important files AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Your harddrive is faulty

 

[alyseshadow]

I have already lost everything. Is there anything else I can do, besides having someone replace the hard drive?

 

[Kaktussoft]

I have already lost everything. Is there anything else I can do, besides having someone replace the hard drive?

Why didn't you make backups of important data? Or even better your whole drive?
There's normally no way to retrieve the data. But.....

"I have already lost everything"=>what do you mean by saying "lost"? No partition, no folders, no files at all anymore?

 

[alyseshadow]

I did all the fixes I knew how to do, the computer couldn't find the hard drive! So, I couldn't restore to previous point because it said there wasn't one. I stuck the windows disk in and re-loaded it. I assumed that would fix all errors, but did not. I'm now stuck here!

 

[gregrocker]

How are you stuck? Your HD may be failing. I already wrote out what to do to confirm this, how to replace the HD if necessary and get Win7 back up and runnning more perfectly than you've ever had it. Did you miss my post?

Not a good sign. Which diagnostics are you running, and for what model/make HD?

Is the HD detected in BIOS setup? If not check or replace the cable.

Have you tried running ▶ Dell Hardware Diagnostics from F12 Menu?

To replace the HD on your Dell, google the model number + replace Hard Drive or disassemble to find a video showing how. You can also google for a replacement drive.

Then Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

If you have files to rescue from the HD I would back them up now, if necessary using Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console or Paragon Rescue Kit Free Edition 11.0 Free CD.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

You may be able to use revuca but am not holding my breath Recuva - Undelete, Unerase, File and Disk Recovery - Free Download

Or you can use a Ubuntu boot

BOOTABLEUBUNTU

Make a bootable Ubuntu disk http://www.ubuntu.com/download

Set the BIOS to boot from theoptical when the machine boots it will show you a screen with TRY or INSTALL> select TRY

When it is finished - it takes verylittle time you will get a screen like in the pic .

Open the drive you want > Userand dig down until you get to the data / settings you may be able to copy /paste the material you want to an external source or other installed drive doingthis.

I am not sure if it will but I haverecovered tons of data etc using this method both on "dead" or justplain drives that you cannot get data from using Windows.

This is a good example of hat happens when we don't do regular backups eh?

 

[alyseshadow]

I am currently running the Dell HD hardware diagnostics, I will return with hopefully some results!
Thanks!

 

[alyseshadow]

I have gotten this error, anyone know if that is my guarantee that the HD is garbage?

 

[gregrocker]

Try the Diagnostics again to see if the error recreates.

If so then you've now confirmed that your HD is bad.

I gave you the steps previously for how to replace the HD and Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[ICIT2LOL]

As Greg says and if you want try the Ubuntu I quoted first - if you need data - it may still not give it up but worth a try.

 

[alyseshadow]

So, I'm back! I bought a new Western Digital Harddrive and now I get an error stating I need to reseat the hard drive . If I try to install windows 7, it can't find the hard drive and in BIOS it says Hard Drive (none)
Anyone have any advice?

 

[Kaktussoft]

So, I'm back! I bought a new Western Digital Harddrive and now I get an error stating I need to reseat the hard drive . If I try to install windows 7, it can't find the hard drive and in BIOS it says Hard Drive (none)
Anyone have any advice?

Does harddrive work in other computer? Does harddrive have power, so does it spin (you can feel it)? Is sata cable connected correctly?