Topic awaiting preservation: MAYDAY! Possible HD Casualty!

Ok so this just hapened out of the blue. It started like a week ago and then I didn't give it much thought and to me it was just XP acting up again. But now it's scaring me!!!

Lately my PC has been ignoring my HardDisk! I start the PC and I hear this ticking sound like a tiny alarm or something it just sounds for a few milliseconds and then I wait, once the PC finished checking for the hardware I get:

Primary Master: None (PROBLEM!!!)
Primary Slave: None
Secondary Master: ASUS blah blah blah (CD)
Secondary Slave: None

Or something like that? But this happens again even on restarting and it seems like it's more or less the PC's choice whether it detects it or not. I might be sitting on my PC all night untill it actually detects my HD! Sometimes it happens in the first go others wait is all I can do! I try going into the BIOS and setting the Primary Master to the HD but it can't detect it either! But there too sometimes the BIOS does detect it!

I'm scared! These past two days I've been backing up all I can my Site, Songs, PSD! I need answer to this computerized riddle! Is my PC playing a game with me?? Or am I just going crazy

HEEEEELLLLLPPPP

There are viruses that can result in 'none' but the 'sound' to me... suggests HDD. Backup what you can
and when/if you install a new HD make sure you first disconnect UNPLUG from the internet. I learnt that one the hard way... TWICE! Infected before I even got outta the gate... so to speak.

1. Check IDE/SATA connections (remove and reconnect hard drive and mobo connections).
2. Check power connection (").
3. Try changing the connectors (IDE or SATA and power)
4. Check that Master/Slave settings are correct if IDE.
5. Check boot order of disk(s).
6. Run CHKDSK
7. Check health in Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management.

If all passes, it could be your mobo. Could also be your power supply. But also try:

8. Try a different hard drive (if the different one works, the original could be a dying drive - it happens).
9. Put your hard drive in a different computer (no problems? Could be your mobo/power supply/connectors).

You are bound to zero in on something by doing these. If not, take it to a computer repair shop. They may be able to hook it up to some diagnostic tool. While you're at it, take your computer in too. I have gone through many an IDE cable. There are very small wires in them and they have been known to fail.

In any case, back your stuff up as best you can. Hard drives are a lot easier to recoup than hours, months, or even years of data. Good luck.

Edit: Oh yeah (just read NoJive's post), you could potentially have a boot sector virus.

(Edited by Thumper on 04-15-2005 07:20)

Ticking you say? Sounds like a HDD problem. I've had a ticking sound on startup before. Turned out to be the read-write arms smacking against the size of the hard disc's casing. Some problem in the internal firmware. I would do thumper's list then backup what you can (put it in another computer and do a direct drive image or somesuch) and also virus-scan it with an up to date anti-virus. Then get a new drive.


Justice 4 Pat Richard

Actually on further noticing it's not much of a ticking sound infact it's just two discreet and really sharp beeps. I doubt any internal parts getting jiggy with it! Still Wilcko Roger on those steps Thumper I'll get to it and report soon.

--OVER--

Scroll down to Rinswind 2th 's post. You might want to give serious consideration to that rescue disk set up.

http://www.ozoneasylum.com/25134

Don't get too complacent with that 'noise.'

Get the make & model # off the HDD... google with something like 'known problems with (brand name, manufacturer, model #)'

That's how I found out tooooo late my HD was crap... and subsquently lost TEN years work.

i should just add something to this:

A) if an Harddisk is making a strange noise NEVER EVER neglect this there are moving parts in it which need crucial positioning. A long time ago mine mad an rattling sound it turned out that on off the platters was shaken out it's bearings. I could save the data but the noise grew louder and louder while i was doing so and in the end the HD gave up and died.

B) Start you machine and enter the bios settings, make shure that the S.M.A.R.T system is swichted on this monitors the condition from your HD and could provide some usefull info when looking for a solution. S.M.A.R.T also gives warnings at boot time about possible wear or damage to your disks, giving you time to do a full backup.
On this page you can find HDD health a program which monitors SMART an can tell about upcoming problems:
http://www.panterasoft.com/index.html

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Support Justice for Pat Richard

^ Well ain't that just the sweetest little thing. Where you bin all my life? *o*

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Rinswind 2th said:

there are moving parts in it

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no kidding.
that's why it's critical to change the oil regularly in your computer.
I've been using synthetic oil because it reduces the stress to the HDD and other components when you do a cold boot.
spraying the computer with a garden hose will also help the insides stay cool...particularly if you do lots of gaming during the hot summer months.

Now now ZaddyDog, there was no call for that. He was simply backing up a point that I made. Play nice, or don't play.


Justice 4 Pat Richard

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Skaarjj said:

there was no call for that

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you've gotta be kidding?????????
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=sense+of+humour&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Welcome to the wonder of the internet. Text based communication with no body language entirely open to misinterpretation. My apologies, but it generally helps if you're making a joke that could possibly be taken the wrong way (and that could be, very easily, as the fact that I did so demonstrated) that you in some way indicate that it's a joke.


Justice 4 Pat Richard

NP dude
I guess i could have put on a smiley - but the best sarcasm is delivered with a straight face.

Now see, ZaddyDog, the problem is you're not nearly as funny as you think you are.

quote:

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briggl said:

Now see, ZaddyDog, the problem is you're not nearly as funny as you think you are.

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I know..I know.
Same goes for you and your photos - they're not nearly as good as you think you are.