cannot read hard drive!![MOVED FROM WINDOWS]

InfamousCrasher · 02-22-2008, 03:19 PM

i had been trying to dual boot win xp and ubuntu linux , but linux became dominant and wrote over my winxp boot files, so after multiple recoverery attemps i decided to say to heck with it, and completely wiped my drive, about 5 minutes in, my powr goes out. so i reboot it does not boot into anything so im like good no partitions. but to be sure i ran some programs . some could not read my hd and some said theres bad sectors, some said i needed to low level format my computer. i tryed to install an os , could not read my hd, i tryed another os , could not read. im having a really hard time beleivimng my hd is bad, is there any way i can fix this prob, thanks

srry i wrote in a rush

JohnthePilot · 02-22-2008, 03:27 PM

Hi and welcome to TSF.
As you were already wiping the disc I think the best thing you can do is download Darrick's Boot and Nuke from here and start again.

**cjessee** · 02-22-2008, 04:09 PM

Did you install a Linux bootloader when you installed Linux? It is good practice to let Linux install the bootloader - and then install windows after Linux is installed.... everything is much happier that way.

Then there is the theory of creating a dos partition before you dual boot - but we won't get into that right now.

InfamousCrasher · 02-22-2008, 05:46 PM

Yes i installed grub as my boot loader, the problem was i could not boot into windows because linux ran over a few of my windows files and would not boot up. anyway, im going to use dban now see if it works.

InfamousCrasher · 02-22-2008, 06:28 PM

ran deban, did not seem to make a difference, at end of scan it said: wipe finished with some non fatal errors, probobly due to bad disk sectors still could not install operating systems of any kind due to inability to read the hard disk.

**cjessee** · 02-22-2008, 06:35 PM

1. Install Linux.
2. Install Windows.

Sorry - but the Windows partition is probably the culprit.

I would advise wiping the entire disk clean. Something is wrong in the MBR, the directions above will solve this.

InfamousCrasher · 02-23-2008, 05:04 AM

i origionaly used a utility that wiped my entire disk this means my partitions my mbr and mpt and i think even the low level format my hd came with was all deleted, i think it was one of those utilitys were it planned to wipe over my hd 3 times.

InfamousCrasher · 02-23-2008, 05:07 AM

also any operating system disk i put in can not read my hard drive linux ubuntu says something like buffer read error, windows i think says something like, cannot install windows on the hd becuase of a read error.

JohnthePilot · 02-23-2008, 06:45 AM

What happens when you run Boot and Nuke on it?

InfamousCrasher · 02-23-2008, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfamousCrasher

ran deban, did not seem to make a difference, at end of scan it said: wipe finished with some non fatal errors, probobly due to bad disk sectors still could not install operating systems of any kind due to inability to read the hard disk.

Again i put a few os disks in and they all said cannot install on this hard drive because it can not be read, linux said buffer read error ,windows flat out said cannot install becuase hd is not readable. so i cannot uinstall anything on my computer im going to try to rebuild my partition table now to see if that works.

**Deleted090308** · 02-23-2008, 08:31 AM

What brand/model?
Run the HDD manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
The drive may have to be "initialised" too. If so, tools should be available at the HDD website.

InfamousCrasher · 02-23-2008, 09:51 AM

i ran the seagate diagnostic tools and they all xame back passed. this is confusing me.

**Deleted090308** · 02-23-2008, 10:27 AM

If it's a Seagate - try DiscWizard to configure it.

InfamousCrasher · 02-23-2008, 10:56 AM

well ya that would be nice, only i cant install an os to run the executable.

**Deleted090308** · 02-23-2008, 11:08 AM

Well, that would be a good idea. Didn't think about that.

Any chance of moving the drive to another computer?

Also - see if you can format the drive with Parted Magic.

InfamousCrasher · 02-23-2008, 11:56 AM

well i'm not going to move my hd to a different computer, because i know its the hard drive, i did a check of my whole system, and ill try pmagic but i have tried countless other utility's. guess i just have to hope this works.

InfamousCrasher · 02-23-2008, 12:07 PM

booted into pmagic it said error reading disk then said error reading logical block 0 a whole bunch of times, predictable.

InfamousCrasher · 02-23-2008, 12:08 PM

i honestly think i need a very low level format of my computer.

InfamousCrasher · 02-23-2008, 01:36 PM

any other ideas?

**Deleted090308** · 02-23-2008, 06:02 PM

You have already done a low level format with DBAN - it can't get any lower.

Clear CMOS and try another cable.

02-22-2008, 03:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
InfamousCrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 54 OS: Vista home premium (32 bit), Ubuntu linux, Dream linux	cannot read hard drive!![MOVED FROM WINDOWS] i had been trying to dual boot win xp and ubuntu linux , but linux became dominant and wrote over my winxp boot files, so after multiple recoverery attemps i decided to say to heck with it, and completely wiped my drive, about 5 minutes in, my powr goes out. so i reboot it does not boot into anything so im like good no partitions. but to be sure i ran some programs . some could not read my hd and some said theres bad sectors, some said i needed to low level format my computer. i tryed to install an os , could not read my hd, i tryed another os , could not read. im having a really hard time beleivimng my hd is bad, is there any way i can fix this prob, thanks srry i wrote in a rush

02-22-2008, 03:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohnthePilot Manager, TSF Articles Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cheltenham, near Wales. Posts: 30,099 OS: XP Home SP3, PCLinux, Vista Home Premium SP1 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: cannot read hard drive!! Hi and welcome to TSF. As you were already wiping the disc I think the best thing you can do is download Darrick's Boot and Nuke from here and start again. __________________ Submit New Articles Here If you feel that TSF has helped you please make a donationand help to keep the forum free Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon Folding@Home - Team 85015

02-22-2008, 04:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
cjessee Uh oh. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 794 OS: Windows NT/2000/XP, Dictaphone, Windows 2003 Server	Re: cannot read hard drive!! Did you install a Linux bootloader when you installed Linux? It is good practice to let Linux install the bootloader - and then install windows after Linux is installed.... everything is much happier that way. Then there is the theory of creating a dos partition before you dual boot - but we won't get into that right now.

02-22-2008, 05:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
InfamousCrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 54 OS: Vista home premium (32 bit), Ubuntu linux, Dream linux	Re: cannot read hard drive!! Yes i installed grub as my boot loader, the problem was i could not boot into windows because linux ran over a few of my windows files and would not boot up. anyway, im going to use dban now see if it works.

02-22-2008, 06:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
InfamousCrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 54 OS: Vista home premium (32 bit), Ubuntu linux, Dream linux	Re: cannot read hard drive!! ran deban, did not seem to make a difference, at end of scan it said: wipe finished with some non fatal errors, probobly due to bad disk sectors still could not install operating systems of any kind due to inability to read the hard disk.

02-22-2008, 06:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
cjessee Uh oh. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 794 OS: Windows NT/2000/XP, Dictaphone, Windows 2003 Server	Re: cannot read hard drive!! 1. Install Linux. 2. Install Windows. Sorry - but the Windows partition is probably the culprit. I would advise wiping the entire disk clean. Something is wrong in the MBR, the directions above will solve this.

02-23-2008, 05:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
InfamousCrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 54 OS: Vista home premium (32 bit), Ubuntu linux, Dream linux	Re: cannot read hard drive!! i origionaly used a utility that wiped my entire disk this means my partitions my mbr and mpt and i think even the low level format my hd came with was all deleted, i think it was one of those utilitys were it planned to wipe over my hd 3 times.

02-23-2008, 05:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
InfamousCrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 54 OS: Vista home premium (32 bit), Ubuntu linux, Dream linux	Re: cannot read hard drive!! also any operating system disk i put in can not read my hard drive linux ubuntu says something like buffer read error, windows i think says something like, cannot install windows on the hd becuase of a read error.

02-23-2008, 06:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
JohnthePilot Manager, TSF Articles Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cheltenham, near Wales. Posts: 30,099 OS: XP Home SP3, PCLinux, Vista Home Premium SP1 My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: cannot read hard drive!! What happens when you run Boot and Nuke on it? __________________ Submit New Articles Here If you feel that TSF has helped you please make a donationand help to keep the forum free Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon Folding@Home - Team 85015

02-23-2008, 08:31 AM	#11 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: cannot read hard drive!! What brand/model? Run the HDD manufacturer's diagnostic tools. The drive may have to be "initialised" too. If so, tools should be available at the HDD website.

02-23-2008, 09:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
InfamousCrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 54 OS: Vista home premium (32 bit), Ubuntu linux, Dream linux	Re: cannot read hard drive!! i ran the seagate diagnostic tools and they all xame back passed. this is confusing me.

02-23-2008, 10:27 AM	#13 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: cannot read hard drive!! If it's a Seagate - try DiscWizard to configure it.

02-23-2008, 10:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
InfamousCrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 54 OS: Vista home premium (32 bit), Ubuntu linux, Dream linux	Re: cannot read hard drive!! well ya that would be nice, only i cant install an os to run the executable.

02-23-2008, 11:08 AM	#15 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: cannot read hard drive!! Well, that would be a good idea. Didn't think about that. Any chance of moving the drive to another computer? Also - see if you can format the drive with Parted Magic.

02-23-2008, 11:56 AM	#16 (permalink)
InfamousCrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 54 OS: Vista home premium (32 bit), Ubuntu linux, Dream linux	Re: cannot read hard drive!! well i'm not going to move my hd to a different computer, because i know its the hard drive, i did a check of my whole system, and ill try pmagic but i have tried countless other utility's. guess i just have to hope this works.

02-23-2008, 12:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
InfamousCrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 54 OS: Vista home premium (32 bit), Ubuntu linux, Dream linux	Re: cannot read hard drive!! booted into pmagic it said error reading disk then said error reading logical block 0 a whole bunch of times, predictable.

02-23-2008, 12:08 PM	#18 (permalink)
InfamousCrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 54 OS: Vista home premium (32 bit), Ubuntu linux, Dream linux	Re: cannot read hard drive!! i honestly think i need a very low level format of my computer.

02-23-2008, 01:36 PM	#19 (permalink)
InfamousCrasher Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 54 OS: Vista home premium (32 bit), Ubuntu linux, Dream linux	Re: cannot read hard drive!! any other ideas?

02-23-2008, 06:02 PM	#20 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: cannot read hard drive!![MOVED FROM WINDOWS] You have already done a low level format with DBAN - it can't get any lower. Clear CMOS and try another cable.