RobertR

My laptop would start then the next time it would get to a black screen and freeze. I would take out the hard drive an look at the files from a different pc, not changing a thing and it would work again until I shut it off and tried to restart.
Then I got a no bootable device error, but I could still use the one try boot(F12) and used the repair on my Windows CD but to no avail. I am still getting a no bootable device. however I can use the one boot and I can start from the hard drive or the CD. Why?

second: I don't remember how to turn off the log off user, my laptop will log me off automatically it I let it sit for just a few minutes without using the mouse or keyboard.

thanks

TriggerFinger

hi RobertR,

download an HDD diagnostic utility for the brand of the HDD that you use. (see my sig for the link on HDD diagnostic tools). run the utility or you can use the HDD diags from this: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

RobertR

I tried a hard drive manager but it said that there was no hard drive found even though I was on the pc

TriggerFinger

just to clarify your previous post...

you tried your laptop hard drive on your PC desktop and it is still not recognized there?

RobertR

correct, by going in using F12 the one time boot I can use my laptop, however when I tried to use an hard drive manager it could not find the hard drive.

I had one pc tech person tell me that it might be the battery on the mother board, but I have my doubts.

TriggerFinger

i am not very familiar with a hard drive manager. forgive my asking but how do you connect your laptop hard drive to your PC desktop (external enclosure)?

RobertR

my hard drive is internal, but it can be removed fairly easily.

prtk10

just try and repair your windows installtion or try a new one . If the problem remains, there is some fault in the hrdware initialisation

RobertR

I have done a windows repair by using the F12 one time boot, but no change

TriggerFinger

were you able to run diagnostics to test your hard drive? i also may have missed your reply on how you attach your laptop hard drive to your PC desktop. i hope you can provide some information so we can have a clear picture of what you are having problems with.

most important of all, kindly provide details of the error that you see. if you can, it is best if you attach a screenshot.

can you also give some info on the 'F12 one time boot' that you are saying here? is this the one where you can choose the boot device? btw, what brand of laptop is it?

RobertR

Type of Laptop: Dell latitude D500
I could not run UBCD 411 I get a dos screen and then it shuts down with no explanation. I tried running a different disk manager and it said that there was no hard drive.

I have a 2.0 user interface that allows me to attach any 2.5 inch hard drive to a USB on my other PC.

When I first start my laptop the screen will say no bootable device- strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility.
The F12 key brings up a one time boot and then it gives me a list of options that are in the same order as in the setup. In my case it is hard drive, cd, dvd, player, modular hard drive, nic card, and a couple others. I highlight the hard drive and hit enter and the pc reboots and starts just like it suppose to.

Once the pc reboots it runs just find, I can run my antivirus program (clean), me register mechanic ( I have several items that wont go away)

All are listed as low priority except HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\{1171A62F-05D2-11D1-83FC-00A0C9089C5A}\InprocServer32

TriggerFinger

try the diagnostic tools for the brand of HDD you are using from HDD diagnostic tools link on my sig. read the page for instructions on how to d/load and burn to CD or how to create floppies.

since this is very intermittent, best if you can get a spare drive just for testing.