HDD not writeable ~ corrupt?

[Griffmaster]

Hi,

During a Windows install the power lead to my HDD came adrift so I reinserted but now Windows will not boot onto it.

Almost as if part of the HDD has been corrupted.

How can I bring the HDD back to its original state when I first bought it so that I can start again?

Thanks.

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

If you can access a command line (say using a Windows CD to open a command window), Run "chkdsk /r" (that is if it can even see the drive to begin with) It'll attempt to repair any damaged or bad sectors.

If that works, you should be good to go.

It is also possible that while coming loose it shorted the drive and toasted the controller in the drive.

 

[James Colbert]

Questions that occur:

1) Did the windows install complete before the drive came unplugged?
2) Are you trying to boot from the drive or the Windows install disc?

If you are trying to boot from the drive, try instead to place the Win install disc back in the optical drive you were installing from and run the install again.

You should not plug a drive in when the system is up and running.

James

 

[Griffmaster]

From memory, Windows only gets as far as selecting a partition and just locks out.

Tried it 3 times and each time the same.

Wondered if this HDD could be connected to another PC and some sort of program run which would put it back to as when new?

Cannot reach a command line or see the drive.

 

[mjf]

You first need to check out the disk and do a fresh install.
Looks like you may need a boot CD to do some maintenance work?
I would suggest you work off Partition Wizard.
Gives you the nice GUI and easy to initially check out your HDD, format etc.

To check the disk - file system check & Surface test

of course chkdsk /f & chkdsk /r + disk manufacturer checks if you want.

Edit: It's fair to say Partition Wizard would be the preferred 3rd party disk partition manager by many forum members.

 

[DeVandal]

...How can I bring the HDD back to its original state when I first bought it so that I can start again?

Thanks.

Any Linux Live CD, esp GParted Live CD.

Boot to the CD, perform disk maintenance.

Remove the Linux CD, boot to the Windows DVD (or USB device) and install 7.

 

[thefabe]

Who's the disk manufacturer? You might want to check and see if it's still under warranty if nothing anyone has suggested will get it working you might want to see if you can RMA it of course you don't know why it wouldn't work.

This isn't relevant now but you might also want to take the time to fill in all your system specs for future inquiries. here

Thanks Fabe