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Hard drive not found

2K views 29 replies 5 participants last post by  joeten 
#1 ·
Hi, a friend of mine got a virus in her computer, I researched the virus and read how to remove the virus which I had planned to do via the safety mode to remove the virus. However before I got her computer a family member pulled out the hard drive and put it back in. Now I’m getting a Disk boot failure, insert system disk. She had no virus protection software and it was a send money to FBI virus.

She bought a new Windows 8 computer but she needs her inventory off the old computer. No one cares if this computer ever works correct again, all we need is to get off the inventory software or a copy of the inventory backed up on a usb drive.

The computer is a Pavillion a1600n windows xp.

Before I create a boot CD or use one of my old windows xp CD’s I have here.

1) If I use a Boot CD will all the information on the hard drive be erased?

2) I can get the F1 set up screen, is there any way to go to the software programs that way?

Any advice would be wonderful.

Thank you for your time
Kimberly

added: Resolving Startup Problems (Windows XP, Me, and 98) HP Pavilion Media Center a1600n Desktop PC | HP® Support...

Anyone know what kind of hard drive this computer should be finding? In the start up the only thing listed in the CD/DVD drive. I have a feeling it is not even finding the hard drive.
 
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#2 ·
a family member pulled out the hard drive..... I have a feeling it is not even finding the hard drive.
Your feelings are probably correct. Restart the computer and boot into Setup (Bios) usually by pressing F2. On the Main page, it should list all of the Drives on the computer, If it only shows the CD/DVD rom drive and no HDD, then the family member who put the HDD back in did not hook it up correctly.
Take the side off of the case and look at the HDD, make sure the HDD's power plug are plugged in tightly and the Data cable is plugged in tightly and that it is plugged in tightly to the motherboard.
You can also remove the HDD and attach it to a working computer via a USB Adapter or by putting it into a USB Enclosure with a power adapter, then you can copy the data you want off of it to a working computer.
 
#3 ·
I have checked all the plugs however it's still not finding hard drive. I have some pictures of the inside of the computer and wondered if you might see something I'm missing. I have the P9 and Sata cables plugged in and they seem to be secure.

Thank you so much.



 
#5 ·
I've been trying to in find install instruction on the sp2004c samsung hard drive but no luck so far. On the picture, which isn't every good. Everything is unplugged and I showed where they cable where plugged in. I think the ? areas I have marked looks more like a power cable plug to me but I'm not sure. Also in a how to install video, I never saw anything but the saga cable installed.



Thoughts?
 
#7 · (Edited)
Jumpers are not relevant to SATA drives so it is correct to not see the Jumper pin covered.
The DATA cable looks secure. You may be incorrect with your terminology, A P9 connector (pic on the left) wouldn't fit in the back of a SATA HDD, but just in case you aren't replace the power plug with another one of the Black SATA power plugs (on the right).
 

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#8 ·
The red cable I'm referring to as Sata because it says Sata on is this cable


I can't find a picture of the cable that reads P9 but it's the large of the two plugs. I hope this helps.




I don't get why the Sata cable runs down by the battery.

Thanks everyone for all your help
Kimberly
 
#9 ·
Can I take this red Sata cable



1) put it into the hard drive in the computer.
2) plug the other end into the eSata plug in the back of external hard drive.
3) Plug the external hard drive into the old windows xp computer.

Then get into the hard drive that way? I would think since the external hard drive has it own power cable that it would also power the computer hard drive.
 
#15 ·
Yes...they are essentially the same thing. The HDD docking station is more of a permanent/fixed placement for every day use. The latter is more for portability/travel/use it when you need it kind of device.

Note: I have a case that has the HDD docking station built into it....but I'm half tempted to get one of those to.
 
#16 ·
Thanks, the hard drive can be trashed once the data if off it so cheap is the best plan. It looks like I'll have to order it online, no local stores I can find carry them.

BTW: I've been messing with this and the p10 cable seems to have a better connection then the p9 so I going to try it that way before order this.

Thank you and this forum for being such a huge help.
 
#17 ·
Hi, I got the cables hooked up the hard drive and it will power up, at least I can hear the hard drive running but when I hook it into my other windows xp computers via USB ports, the hard drive is not found. Any thoughts?

I'm scared to put it into my good windows 7 computer because I know the hard drive had a virus in it.

Thanks
 
#18 ·
With the drive plugged in and powered up, go to Start/Run and type diskmgmt.msc and press enter. In the Disk Management windows do you see your drive there? Is the drive listed as Unallocated Space, or is the drive listed as RAW and needs initializing?
 
#20 · (Edited)
You didn't say how you are hooked it up via USB? Did you end up getting a Dock or are you using an Enclosure or a USB Adapter? Does the USB connection come with it's own power adapter? If so, plug the power adapter directly into the wall socket and not through an extension cord or surge protector. As this diminishes the power. You also can plug it into a Desktop computer directly and not use a USB adapter.
With the drive plugged in can you put your hand on it or put your ear next to it. Is it warm and humming or is it Cold? Does it make any clicking or scraping noises?
If the drive is cold, making any noises, and/or is not recognized in Disk Management or in the Bios then the drive has failed.
 
#21 ·
Sorry I didn't give enough details. For your posting, I'm guessing the drive is dead however these are the answers.

You didn't say how you are hooked it up via USB? - Yes I’m hooked into a USB port.

Did you end up getting a Dock or are you using an Enclosure or a USB Adapter? - I got the adapters. Amazon.com: sabrent USB 2.0 TO SATA/IDE 2.5/3.5/-INCH Hard Drive Converter With Power Supply & LED Activity Lights (USB-DSC5: Electronics

Does the USB connection come with it's own power adapter? - Yes it comes with its own power supply

You also can plug it into a Desktop computer directly and not use a USB adapter. - I don’t understand, what do you mean plug it in directly, where?

Does it make any clicking or scraping noises? - I can hear a spinning noise followed by clicking noises like an older computer sounds with it turning on. Then after that I hear nothing and it cold to the touch but I’ve not let in plug in very long.

It's probably dead!

Thank you so much for your help
Kimberly
 
#25 ·
Sorry I didn't give enough details. For your posting, I'm guessing the drive is dead however these are the answers.

You didn't say how you are hooked it up via USB? - Yes I’m hooked into a USB port.

Did you end up getting a Dock or are you using an Enclosure or a USB Adapter? - I got the adapters. Amazon.com: sabrent USB 2.0 TO SATA/IDE 2.5/3.5/-INCH Hard Drive Converter With Power Supply & LED Activity Lights (USB-DSC5: Electronics

Does the USB connection come with it's own power adapter? - Yes it comes with its own power supply

You also can plug it into a Desktop computer directly and not use a USB adapter. - I don’t understand, what do you mean plug it in directly, where? >>>You actually have to take apart the desktop and install the original drive with the problem (the dead one) inside and next to the boot drive in a 2nd PC case. I've got a great tutorial with photos that shows you how to do this. This is it: How to Add an Extra Hard Drive: 19 Steps (with Pictures)
Then I'm going to respond to the rest of your newest Post in a separate reply. BBJ<<< :smile:

Does it make any clicking or scraping noises? - I can hear a spinning noise followed by clicking noises like an older computer sounds with it turning on. Then after that I hear nothing and it cold to the touch but I’ve not let in plug in very long.

It's probably dead!

Thank you so much for your help
Kimberly
 
#22 · (Edited)
cold to the touch
As previously stated, if it's cold to the touch, then it is dead, there is no power getting to the drive. Make sure you use the power adapter, I don't see one pictured in the ad, and make sure it is plugged directly into the wall socket. If it is still cold, You cannot fix this yourself, If the data is critical, then you can send it off to the very, very, very expensive Data Recovery Specialist who will open the drive in a Clean Room and access the platters to recover the data to a new HDD for you.
In the Future to know how to hook up to a desktop computer, you would plug it in just as the main HDD is plugged into the desktop computer.
Open the case, there are more then one SATA connector ports on the motherboard, and more then one power plug coming from the PSU. Plug in the power plug into the HDD get a SATA data cable, plug that into the drive and plug the other end into the motherboard. It if Spins up (it's not cold and it's not making any noise) it should get recognized by the computer in Disk Management.
 
#23 ·
Spunk's right on about where you have the Power Adapter for the USB Dock or USB Caddy plugged in to you AC wall power. Ensure you are not running through a surge strip, surge bar, surge protector, power tap, or any kind of extension cord! We just had a similar situation with another Forum User a couple on nights ago who had 2 external usb drives plugged into his computer, and each could be seen, but when he plugged in both-he could only see 1 drive at a time and not the other. Problem turned out he had 1 of the 2 external usb drives power adapter plugged into a power strip of some sort. Once he plugged that into the wall SOCKET DIRECTLY, BOTH DRIVES WERE AGAIN VISIBLE TO WINDOWS. :grin:

There are many failure modes for a hard drive (hundreds actually), and even if it's spinning and making noises, doesn't mean you'll be able to read it. If your family member made a mistake hooking it up or something, he could easily have fried it. :cry:The most common mistake I see when teaching students how to repair computers is, that friends will tell them it's ok to unplug the hard drive while the power is on to the computer! :facepalm: Obviously you know this is wrong, but, someone who doesn't work on computers for a living many NOT know this and made this mistake. So this is why your hard drive went from having a virus, to not working at all!:facepalm: Your cable setups all appear correct--great jobs on providing us with the photos. :smile:

Another thing you might consider that wasn't mentioned, and it's the proverbial elephant in the room: why don't you take it to your local Computer Pro and have him diagnose the drive for you?? It will not cost you much compared to having a dead computer, and even if the drive is dead, the Computer Pro can assist you with data recovery and getting your folder and any other files off of it if possible. If the drive is damaged too badly, you need to prepare yourself that it might need to be sent out for Professional data recovery, which starts at $250 and up; and typically takes 3-4 weeks. :uhoh: If this is recommended by your Computer Pro, that's the only way you'll ever get anything off of that drive again. If the information is really important, and if it's business inventory it sounds like it might be, you might refrain from having that family member help you with your computer again. :nono: It sounds highly likely to me that he/she damaged it. I would consider asking the family member to help defray the data diagnosis and data recovery costs with you--and promise never to touch your Computer again.:nono: If this is a Spouse, then it's even more important you have this conversation with them. :nonono:

No offense here please, but it sounds like neither you nor the family members are professional Computer Technicians, and if you cannot solve it, these are the next steps you should consider taking. :thumb:

Best,
BIGBEARJEDI
 
#24 ·
In this small tiny fish bowl of a town, I am the resident computer pro. Which is true when it come to removing virus, installing virus software which most people don't have here, setting up and/or updating computer (many don't trust auto updates). I also replacing or upgrading computer hardware. I do a lot of wordpress installs and trouble shooting. People here trust me and she wanted me to look at it before she decided if it was worth to take day to drive to the city. It's not like there is a computer pro shop within hour drive. Honestly, if someone else wouldn't have tired to work on it and left it alone, I know how to remove the FBI virus and recovered the data. I've done that before.

Actually I do 3D modeling for my real business and sell the models online. But locally I have a small help with computer business. Last week a local man bought a windows 8 computer. I had all his information on a cloud so I could get it when I went to his house instead of a thumb drive. It took me forever to talk him into letting me hook his windows xp computer into the internet so I could get his information to move it to the new computer. He was sure the second I plug it into the internet the he have someone steal is identity.

Now that I've run these test and printed out this thread to add to my home made "how to" book. I can add basic hard drive testing to my list of service. Then if the hard drive will not show up on the drive manager then I can tell them they need to drive to the city if they want it fixed.

I'm also trying to learn how to build my own computer for old computers I have around here just to see if I can do it. I might be old but I still love learning anything and everything about computers. :grin:

Thanks again for all the help, I'll put the computer back together and let them know I've done all I can.

Kimberly
 
#26 ·
In this small tiny fish bowl of a town, I am the resident computer pro. >>>That makes sense; your town is so small you are related to every single resident!<<< Which is true when it come to removing virus, installing virus software which most people don't have here, setting up and/or updating computer (many don't trust auto updates). I also replacing or upgrading computer hardware. I do a lot of wordpress installs and trouble shooting. People here trust me and she wanted me to look at it before she decided if it was worth to take day to drive to the city. It's not like there is a computer pro shop within hour drive. Honestly, if someone else wouldn't have tired to work on it and left it alone, I know how to remove the FBI virus and recovered the data. I've done that before.
>>>Thanks for that background; so may I assume you don't get paid for all of your hard work? You do this for Gratis (Free) or possibly barter; like a bucket of corn or some chickens or something?<<<

Actually I do 3D modeling for my real business and sell the models online. But locally I have a small help with computer business. Last week a local man bought a windows 8 computer. I had all his information on a cloud so I could get it when I went to his house instead of a thumb drive. It took me forever to talk him into letting me hook his windows xp computer into the internet so I could get his information to move it to the new computer. He was sure the second I plug it into the internet the he have someone steal is identity. >>>If they have TV where you live, or newspapers or some other print media; that also makes sense, as there ar a ton of people who write computer columns for newspapers, TV, etc. who have never taken a computer apart in their life but are some relation to the owner of the TV or Radio station or newspaper and manage to get quoted. Most of these folks are very alarmist about Internet threats, and don't have the eduation or presentational skill (just about none of them have teaching credentials-I do) to perform this type of work. They just get on the tube and tell everyone horror stories and of course they are believed; since it's on TV or print media it must be true, right?? Rubes!<<<

Now that I've run these test and printed out this thread to add to my home made "how to" book. I can add basic hard drive testing to my list of service. Then if the hard drive will not show up on the drive manager then I can tell them they need to drive to the city if they want it fixed. >>>Good, it sounds like you learned a good deal OJT (On The Job), and that's how a lot of people do it, but books and classes also help. You may not have a Library near you since you are rural, but you do have the Internet, and there are lots of really good do-it-yourself computer repair texts. Here's one I used when teaching Computer Repair courses at my local Community College: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-guide-to-managing-maintaining-your-pc-jean-andrews/1101416128?ean=9781133135081. Dr. Andrews is SUPERB at writing instructive texts for adults of all ages. We used here books in multiple courses at my College. I would read everything she's written you can get your hands on!! I have many, many more textbooks I collected over the years, and this is a good way to supplement your knowledge and build your Tech library. Used textbooks are cheap at Amazon and ebay as Students sell them cheap once they get done with their classes, certificates, degrees. Next, you can also consider taking online courses. Not sure if you are in the U.S. or not, but you can take computer tech courses from just about any State University or local Community College (Jr. College) online--so, since you have the Internet you can avail yourself of these classes plus many free webinars (online seminars).<<<

I'm also trying to learn how to build my own computer for old computers I have around here just to see if I can do it. I might be old but I still love learning anything and everything about computers. :grin: >>>That's really quite admirable, may I say! Another great way to learn online is to read through our Forum threads here at TSF! I've been doing computers for 44 yrs. and I learn something just about every day here as a volunteer. I started out just poking around reading the threads, and saw the advice was very HIGH qualilty, and the Moderators here are super helpful. As a 10 yr. credentialed teacher, this stimulated me to spend more time perusing the forums. I found solutions to many problems for my computer repair business that saved me a ton of money, and many hours of dead-end troubleshooting. Eventually, I got asked to Volunteer and share my knowledge. This is right up my alley, and there are folks here who have been doing this 10 yrs. of more! As you can already see, this is yet another great learning venue for you that is free and you can access from your remote-from-techology-urban-centers from the comfort of your home office. There are many like-minded folks here who live-eat-breathe computers, and I really like that as it takes me back to the mid-70s when all the PC technology was just developing and everyone helped each other--the end goal was to get a working computer!<<<

Thanks again for all the help, I'll put the computer back together and let them know I've done all I can. >>>Well, almost, make sure you offer them the data recovery send out option. You can contact both the 2 major companies who offer this service by phone, and MAIL in your friend's hard drive to them for data recovery. You don't have to drive to the Store! The first one is Geek Squad @ Best Buy. Here is the link to their home page along with their phone number: http://www.geeksquad.com/btsppcb/?utm_source=PPC&utm_medium=geek%20squad%20phone%20number&utm_term=geek%20squad%20phone%20number&utm_campaign={campaign}&k_clickid=0d66c82a-2c9e-57c8-42fc-000060b8fed4&caph=cvVNCN0NK9fQHvPG1KkV2Q%3d%3d&ref=30&loc=KW-4328&gclid=CKb7oPuR970CFcyTfgodi4UA7g.
Here is KrollOnTrack's number in Minneapolis, MN: http://www.krollontrack.com/ps211-data-recovery/?gclid=CPKQtJmS970CFYqIfgodTlwAMw

Bear in mind, that unless you present your friend with this data recovery option, you have NOT exhausted all solutions for your friend. By the way, these are the only 2 legit companies in the United States (or other countries from what I've heard) that do PROFESSIONAL data recovery, and both have been in business for many years. I have used both of these companies extensively. Do NOT go to anyone else. If your friend is as uneducated as the one who's afraid of the Internet, they will also be paranoid enough not to send out their hard drive to someone they don't know; so most likely they will refuse. But, unless you present them with this option you haven't done your job.
I hope this information proves insightful for you. Keep on Computing!
Best-BBJ
:yltype:<<<


Kimberly
 
#28 ·
>>>That makes sense; your town is so small you are related to every single resident!<<< - That an understanding. :smile:

Actually tonight and tomorrow I am planning trying to install Linux Mint to see if I can do that correct. I learned about that on another thread on this forum. I know a lot of people who'd love to not feel they need to buy a new computer and I have a community business meeting on Friday which I love to show that off on my windows xp laptop with Linux Mint to see if I can drum up some businesses. I take a lot of online 3D modeling classes online but haven't tried any computer classes yet.
 
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