Hard Disk
Hard disk failures are the most common computer hardware problems. And laptop hard disks fail more often than desktop HDs. If you knock hard or drop your laptop even a few inches while it’s working, you may damage the HD.
Symptoms:
- The laptop starts as usual but when Windows starts to load it goes to blue screen with either “UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME”, “hal.dll is missing or corrupt” or “WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM” (or similar) is missing or corrupt. All these error messages indicate a filesystem problem. Sometimes it can be fixed by just scanning the HD for errors. However in over 50% of the cases these errors indicate that the HD is starting to go bad and is probably developing bad sectors.
- The laptop starts as usual but Windows freezes on the initial “Windows XP” screen, although the blue bar continues to move, and you can hear feint but continuous clicking. Hard disk have to be replaced.
- As soon as the laptop is started there are loud clicks or grinding sounds and Windows doesn’t load. Hard disk have to be replaced.
- Shortly after starting the laptop a message appears (usually on a black screen) “SMART test failed. Backup your data immediately and replace the hard disk” or similar. Well, that says it all. S.M.A.R.T. is a self-test that is build into the hard disk.
In almost all cases the laptop can be started from a “live” bootable CD and everything works normal. In rare cases the HDs PCB (printed circuit board) may short or even burn. Then the laptop wouldn’t start unless the HD is removed.
Troubleshooting:
The first case from above (corrupted filesystem) is by far the most common. There are several ways of diagnosing and fixing the corrupted/missing files. If this was just a software problem, the hard disk will continue to work properly. However keep in mind that this may also be a signs of deterioration and backup daily!
Also the hard disk will need some preventive maintenance. Check it for errors every few days or at least every week. To do that you must be logged in an admin account, then right-click the “C” drive in “My Computer”, select “Properties”, then “Tools”, then click on the “Check Now” button. Select both boxes and click on “Start”. Windows will tell you that the hard disk cannot be checked now but you can schedule a check for the next restart. Click “OK” and restart the laptop. The check will take from about 30-40 min. to over 2 hours, so do it when you’re not planning to use the laptop for some time.
My laptop keeps freezing up,it does not complete updates.a message come up sometimes saying a problem on hard disc c .checked on CHKDSK SAYS FILE 99967. uPDATES FAIL SAYING CDE 810B0100 0R Code 643. What can i do.
i have hp pavilion dm4-1265 dx 640 gb hard disk.. nowadays my laptop freezes.. i cant even watch videos or listen to music… it gets stuck too.. buh it wont freezes if i watch from dvd or external drive.. i dun knw what to do.. can u help??
i have some problem in laptop because of hard disk failure .may i use the external hard disk without internal hard disk by loading windows in external hard disk and booting from the same.
please give your support/tips.
this is admin from effyiss software, we have some problem in laptop because hard disk failure .may use the external hard disk without internal hard disk.we need ur support .give some tips we ll expect your answer
Hi there. i use a Windows 7 HP Pavilion dv6-3160us with a 640GB hard drive capacity (which i have partitioned). just this weekend, i turned it on only for it to get stuck at the ”Starting Windows” logo screen, sometimes rebooting and repeating the whole process again. i have ran several checks on the disk alas, no problem’s found. i tried formatting(which took an abnormal -close to 2 hours- period of time), but that didn’t help either; it just froze at the ”Windows is finalizing your settings” screen. currently, after a lengthy period of time, it manages to boot to my homescreen only this time, my Local Disk(C) is all that shows but the other partition with all my data -which i can’t access- only shows as Local Disk(D) with its ‘capacity bar/details’ missing.
as i type now on an older laptop, i ran a Startup Repair which took a lengthy period of time, only to fail upon ”Attempting Repairs.” in the mean time, the only way i’m able to access my data successfully is via a ”Live” Linux Ubuntu disc. i’m pondering purchasing a new hard-drive within the next couple of days but due to fear of losing all of my data as well as a lot of money, i’m hoping there’s a way i can fix this issue. or is my drive crashed and for all intents and purposes, toast? please help with a reply ASAP…thanks in advane!!!
my harddisk was failed by knock too hard and must be replace by new one. any possible my data lost or not at drive c and d?? or c only?? or d only??
my primary hdd is 500GB but it only shows me that i have 98.5GB i tried formating my computer but the problem is still persistent(my computer dell n5030)
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I have a Compaq Presario CQ40, about 2 years old. Recently it has developed a starting problem. When I switch it on, the starting windows screen appears and it gets stuck. I switch off, turn it on again and click F10 for CMOS. In the Exit menu, I load ‘setup defaults’, exit it and start windows normally and the system works absolutely fine. What could be the problem here?
i have a compaq presario CQ40 laptop. when i switch on, the starting windows screen appears and the system gets stuck. i switch off power, switch on, press F10 for CMOS and load ‘default setups’ from exit menu. thereafter i click ‘start windows normally’ and it works absolutely fine. what could be the problem here?