HDD not recognized in BIOS?

[bootwes]

I am unsure if this is the right board to post in, but:
Last night I accidentally dropped my Dell XPS L401x (oops). It has had worse falls, but now when I try to boot it up there is a whirring/beeping noise as the machine tries to load, and it shows an error message:

"Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller Series v2.35 (06/14/10)
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable"
and later
"Reboot and Select proper Boot device"

When I enter the BIOS I notice the Fixed HDD says (0.0GB).
I've already tried to disassemble the machine but I do not have much experience and have no idea what might have gone wrong, so I put it back together.

What should I do?

 

[DocBrown]

Welcome bootwes


It could be this fall actually damaged the HD making it unreadable.

 

[bootwes]

I thought that was what might have happened. Darn.

Is there at least anything I can do to get back my data and store somewhere else? Or is it simply gone?

 

[whs]

Put the disk into the fridge (not freezer) - overnight. Maybe tomorrow it will work. This is not a joke. It has worked before but there is no guarantee.

 

[bootwes]

Thanks, I'll try what you said. I hope it works.

 

[Mark Phelps]

I would be astounded if it worked. Dropping a laptop while it is working nearly always causes a head crash in the hard drive. There are some "hardened" laptops that Government agencies use that can survive this, but these are not the consumer-grade laptops commercially available in retail channels. Head crash will require physical disassembly, repair, and reassembly -- costing easily $1,000 USD to have done.

 

[whs]

Mark, you are probably right. Depending on how the fall was, there may be only a small chance. That is why I always install SSDs into my laptops. Those don't break from a fall.

 

[LMiller7]

Freezing an HD can temporarily restore operation but only for certain types of failure. I very much doubt it would help in this case. Usually it just causes further damage. Data recovery after an incident is always a chancy business. That is why you need to make backups of your data before problems develop as after may be too late. All important files need at least one backup copy, 2 or more copies if the data is of particular importance. This is even more important with a laptop.

 

[bootwes]

Alright, so I have read all your replies.
Here is an update:

I left the HDD in the fridge overnight and just now I tried to see if it works. It only says "Missing operating system" after the BIOS password prompt, which I suppose means "This is beyond repair, good luck, pal". It must have been a head crash as some of you have said.

Thankfully, I did have some backups ready (although few) and the data on this machine had more emotional importance than work importance, so I am not particularly in hot water.

Suffice to say, I think I have learned my lesson on being careful. Although it was a done deal from the beginning, I am still grateful for your help. Thanks.

 

[whs]

At least it looks like the disk is now recognized by the BIOS and can be read. So the fridge had some positive effect. Whilst that is so, you can try to recue the data with a live Linux CD or the way I do it:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/287439-emergency-kit-save-your-files-dead-os.html

 

[bootwes]

It still says (0.0GB) next to the HDD in the BIOS settings, though. Additionally, I don't have another computer to set up a USB so it can startup the machine and find the files (this is being typed on a phone right now).

 

[whs]

Hmm, that's tough. One should always have a live Linux CD in the kit.

Maybe once you have fixed this computer you can get the Linux tools and attach this disk externally to save the data. An external enclosure costs pennies.

 

[bootwes]

Alright, I think that's what I will end up doing. When I am able to get my laptop fixed I'll see if I can get the old HDD attached and at least get something from there. Thank you!