I am a new member. I've made a post in the Introductions thread--feel free to read.
I am attempting to fix a Lenovo laptop with a "disk read error, please restart" message.
I attempted to boot from USB to reformat/re-install Windows 7 Ultimate, but after the "windows is loading files" message and logo appears, a black screen displays with a white mouse arrow indefinitely. The laptop specs are as follows (do excuse any unnecessary information listed, I just copied down what information BIOS told me):
Product name: Lenovo 3000 G530
Serial Number: EB17892070
CPU type: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU t4400
CPU speed: 2.20 GHz
BIOS version: 0CCN58WW (V1.24)
Total memory: 2048MB
I'd appreciate any help. Feel free to instant message me. I am eager to learn about computers and work on this first project.
Seems you might have a failing hard drive. From another PC.
Downloading UBCD which is in my signature.Burn the ISO Image to a blank CD using Imgburn (How to burn a ISO Image using Imgburn) burn at lowest speed. With the newly burned cd boot with the cd go to HDD>Diagnostics>The make and model of your hard drive, Seagate, Maxtor, Drive Fitness which is Hitachi, Or Western Digital. Perform a short and long test. Could also be called "Standard" and "Extended" test or also "Comprehensive" test. The Seagate hard drive test will work on most drives.
The forum rules does not let any one use private messages for troubleshooting purposes. The reason for this is because people whom visit the forum may have similar problems as you do. They can not find similar solutions if they are in private messages.
I never mentioned using Ubuntu I mentioned Ultimate Boot CD (UBCD) Ubuntu is free it is a linux open source platform. UBCD is also open source but it used for troubleshooting and among other things.
As Jack said, this looks like a failed HDD. You can also download the ISO image for Seatools in my signature, although the UBCD has more tools. Burn the Image to CD using IMGBurn also in my signature Boot off of the newly created CD and run the short and long tests on the drive. If either test fails the HDD needs to be replaced.
In the future, if the HDD is in good shape, you do not have to use a Window USB flash drive to reinstall. There is a recovery partition on all laptops that you can set the OS back to Factory Defaults: How to use the pre-boot service partition to recover your software
Thanks for your reply. I just burned Ubuntu and booted that... but I just have no idea how to run these tests using that software. Since I've already completed that step, I'd love to just keep it at that. Are you familiar with how to navigate Ubuntu, by chance?
The tools suggested are not in Ubuntu, You can use Ubuntu to browse the C: drive and save any user files to a USB HDD.
To run the Hard Disk Drive Diagnostics you would need to download and burn the UBCD for Windows Or follow the suggestions post #5 and in the Quote you made. And burn a Seatools CD.
Alright, I'm in the Diagnostics screen. How can I tell which HDD brand is for this Lenovo laptop? Google-ing some specs on the PC didn't enlighten me on what it could be.
It will identify the HDD by model # a Seagate drive starts with model # ST. and Western Digital drives starts with the model# WD, Hitachi will start with HD
Ok. I just ran a long test and it deteced 89 errors and said failed. I am running the short test right now--does that matter now, though? I'm wondering if the HDD is dead.
No. It would be better just getting a new one. I provided a link to where you can get one for under $100. Also where you can request replacement media (OEM copy of Windows).
The short test is not needed. Since you have done the long test and there are errors the short test is useless. The hard drive needs replaced.
Alright. Thanks soo much for the help guys. I've learned a lot today. I've never replaced a hard drive before, but I'm sure there are a lot of articles I can read on that or request help again. :]
A forum community dedicated to tech experts and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about articles, computer security, Mac, Microsoft, Linux, hardware, networking, gaming, reviews, accessories, and more!