A Disk read error occurred - Troubleshooting efforts almost exhausted?
Question:
Pc was running XP PRO. I plugged in an external USB Hard Drive and it hung up the screen. I did a reboot and now all I get is:
A Disk read error occurred
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart
The external USB drive is disconnected. There is nothing in any of the CD/DVD/Disk drives. I have tried changing the BIOS to boot from CD with Windows disk in it (so I can do repair) it does not get that far.
I have tried reseting to the BIOS defaults. No difference.
I have tried running DELL's recommend BIOS HD tests - don't work
I have tried reseting the config. No difference.
I have checked the cables to the HD drive. Nothing obvious.
So my questions are:
1. Anything else I try with the BIOS/software?
2. Is this the HD or the motherboard. Which do I replace? I know the obvious thing to do is take the HD and put it in another PC. But I do not have another PC.
Answer:
How far did it get when trying to boot from the CD? I'd give it another try. Sometimes the computer doesn't realize there's a CD in there -- it's kind of finicky I have found.
im afraid that usually needs a format.
if your windows cd boots make sure your harddrive for the pc is plugged in as that master drive(if you only have one dont worry).
load windows and choose format (full) will take a while.
then once its dont use your windows CD to reinstall windows or the computers recovery cd to do it.
alternitivly, you would need to get someone that know what there doing to recover your files and windows.
when you get it working again i recommend getting someone to change your windows settings so that the disc access is optomise and not cashed. this will let you pull it out anytime with out damage. other wise make sure you use the safe removal tool on your icon bar to remove it next time.
could be the external drive isnt supported which i doubt , or driver issue. I had the problem once before, try another computer to see if makes any difference
Physically disconnect all disk drives and try booting with only one drive connected at a time.
That should narrow it down. If no drive will boot, it is the p/s, m/b, cpu, or memory.
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