Operating System Not Found

Broderss · 05-07-2009, 11:33 AM

I know that there are other threads on this but i would like some specific help for me, please.

Basically, my laptop (Acer Aspire) was dropped causing Windows XP (SP2) to freeze and the HDD to make a high-pitched humming noise. So, I took a look at it tried to turn it off, which it wouldn't do, so I removed the battery from it and it went straight off.

When I turned it back on it loads for about 2 mins while the HDD makes a wierd CH-EERK-CLUNK noise before a black screen appears with white writing and the last line says "Operating System not found".

There is good reason to suggest that the HDD is damaged but I was thinking that it might just be the OS booting partitian that has been damaged, making me wonder if there is anyway to fix this problem like re-installing that part of the OS elsewhere on the disk or any other solutions? or if not a feasible solution how i can salvage the files I have on there?

Thanks!

**belfasteddie** · 05-07-2009, 01:42 PM

If you can Boot to the Bios. Look at the screen as soon as it starts to Boot. It will say press the DEL key or an F key. You should then be in the Bios. Look for a selection that says Hard drive diag ( or something like that). Select that line and run it. This will tell you if the drive is Ok or not.
If it is Ok you will have to fix the MBR ( Main Boot Record). google that.
If you cannot get the disk to boot either way then you will have to get a replacement HD and make the bad HD into a USB drive. Or make it a slave to another comp and try and get the files off it.
Good Luck.

**raptor_pa** · 05-07-2009, 03:25 PM

Based on your description of the sound, it is most likely a physical issue, probably bent or seized spindle. See if the drive is recognized in Bios. If it is not recognized correctly by model number there, not much point in running the diags. If it is physically damaged you will need pro recovery in a clean room environment. Depending on the drive make and model $1200 and up most likely. What is the make and model of the drive? Continuing to try to run the drive will potentially cause more damage to the platters and heads, making any recovery less likely.

05-07-2009, 11:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Broderss Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3 OS: xp sp3	Operating System Not Found I know that there are other threads on this but i would like some specific help for me, please. Basically, my laptop (Acer Aspire) was dropped causing Windows XP (SP2) to freeze and the HDD to make a high-pitched humming noise. So, I took a look at it tried to turn it off, which it wouldn't do, so I removed the battery from it and it went straight off. When I turned it back on it loads for about 2 mins while the HDD makes a wierd CH-EERK-CLUNK noise before a black screen appears with white writing and the last line says "Operating System not found". There is good reason to suggest that the HDD is damaged but I was thinking that it might just be the OS booting partitian that has been damaged, making me wonder if there is anyway to fix this problem like re-installing that part of the OS elsewhere on the disk or any other solutions? or if not a feasible solution how i can salvage the files I have on there? Thanks!

05-07-2009, 01:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
belfasteddie Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Belfast N.I. Posts: 1,551 OS: Puppy Linux 4.12	Re: Operating System Not Found If you can Boot to the Bios. Look at the screen as soon as it starts to Boot. It will say press the DEL key or an F key. You should then be in the Bios. Look for a selection that says Hard drive diag ( or something like that). Select that line and run it. This will tell you if the drive is Ok or not. If it is Ok you will have to fix the MBR ( Main Boot Record). google that. If you cannot get the disk to boot either way then you will have to get a replacement HD and make the bad HD into a USB drive. Or make it a slave to another comp and try and get the files off it. Good Luck. Last edited by belfasteddie; 05-07-2009 at 01:44 PM.

05-07-2009, 03:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
raptor_pa Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 4,788 OS: XP	Re: Operating System Not Found Based on your description of the sound, it is most likely a physical issue, probably bent or seized spindle. See if the drive is recognized in Bios. If it is not recognized correctly by model number there, not much point in running the diags. If it is physically damaged you will need pro recovery in a clean room environment. Depending on the drive make and model $1200 and up most likely. What is the make and model of the drive? Continuing to try to run the drive will potentially cause more damage to the platters and heads, making any recovery less likely. __________________