Joekool84

Hey All,
I got an issue I need help with. Last week thursday I dropped my computer. I didnt think anything of it. a few hours later it was acting real slow so I restarted it. Well, Im not sure if it was a virus or something else, but when I restarted I kept getting "this application failed to initialize" error. I tried booting from an XP cd and repairing windows, but it only worked halfway (ony some applications worked, while other still didn't) so I backed up and formatted my drive.
This was all Friday.
Now it is Wednesday and my laptop got the blue screen of death. I restarted and after the initial load page, it told me windows can't start because a missing (or corrupted, can't remember) system 32 file (forgot which one). So I restarted again and after the initial load page it went blank. CRAP!!! I tried reloading windows from the cd, but it gives me an error about creating a system32/mui file. I dont know about the recovery console, but after looking around on the forums, i tried running a chkdsk /r and it seems to be stuck at 50%.

Two questions:
1: Is there anything to do to salvage this (although it was only a few days, I did have more files i didnt back up),
and
2: how do I know it this is the hardware because I dropped it? (It worked fine for a few days.

Thanks, Andy
BTW, I dont know if this make a difference, but it is a SATA HD, on a toshiba m100

pcgeekworld

This might be a hardware component inside got loose since you dropped it. You'll have to check and "re-sit" all cables and HW.

You're getting the System32 error because you tried to reinstall the OS and erased you're previous OS setting (as I bet it warned you it would do) Now can't find it because it went just 50%. Basically you have no OS installed in your laptop now. Check for loose cables, HDD, RAM, etc...then try to reinstall.

NOTE: After checking this you might also need to reinstall all your Drivers (They are in the Recovery Disc). If you don't have it contact you're PC manufacturer and buy one. Good Luck!

Joekool84

To check the cables and memory, etc. Should I just open the flaps on the bottom? or should I open the case and check through everything?
And if i take them out to put them back will I lose my info on the drive?
Thanks

p.s. I am able to use the recovery console and right now I am running CHKDSK so doesnt that mean I have an OS?
Are there any other tools in the recovery console I should try to use?

dai

if the above does not fix

you have most likely damaged the heads on the hard drive
d/load and run the makers diognostic utility on the h/drive

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

it probably will not run either

replace the h/drive and then see what you can salvage off the original one

Joekool84

How can I download and run anything? I can't get past the first screen unless i boot from my windows cd.

dai

you d/l and burn on the computer you are on
then you boot the laptop from the disk

Joekool84

whats the cheapest way to make my SATA hard drive an external? just buy a cable to USB? or do i have to get the whole case?

dai

something like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812232002

Joekool84

Figured it would be something like that. I got myself an external case for a few bucks on ebay for an IDE drive from a dell laptop that the ac didnt feel like charging the battery,and at the same time the battery didnt want to charge

Meanwhile my CHKDSK/r is still running. it was up around 73% then dropped to 50%. now it seems to be stuck on 60%. I am going to sleep and will leave it throughout the night.

If it is still on 60% in the morn should i shut it down and try other options (first checking all the connections, then maybe a fixboot or bootcfg?)

Thanks!

dai

did you try running the diognostic

pcgeekworld

1- You wont lose any saved data in the HD by just disconnecting cables or resiting cards.
2- I dont think CHKDSK will help in this case.

If checking for losed cables, card, etc...and trying to reinstall doesnt work the other options are to buy a compatible HD for your PC and reinstall everything (hope you backed up your data) Or take it to a PC shop and see what they say what it is or see if they can recover any data from the old HD. (Be advised that the shop will try to sell you something! Even a new PC and tell you that yours wont work) You decide what you want to do.

Joekool84

OK, so I got an external cable for my HD, and without any trouble backed everything up. I ran a test from Mirskiy Solutions (found on CNET) and the drive came up clean. (its a Hitachi drive, and none of their tests could run on an extrenal.)
Now I put it back in the laptop and booting from the WINDOWS CD tried formatting and re-installing windows. It got up to 60% and slowed down, and after about 9 hours went to 66%, then when I got home today it had finished and restarted. I still get the SMART failure, and still cant boot from it.
What the "bleeep" is going on???
Andrew

dai

the smart failure is telling you the drive is failing in some way

vnrao86

If it is showing "SMART' failure replace the harddrive.Otherwise same problem will occur in fututre.

Joekool84

if the drive is failing then how did it work perfectly when i retrieved files from it as an external drive?

dai

maybe dropping it damaged the connection at the back on the laptop

Joekool84

If the connection is bad, then the drive is fine, but the laptop is damaged, so even if I get a new drive it wont work?

dai

if that's the case,can you get hold of another drive to check with

Joekool84

Ill have to see who might have one. is there any way to check if the drive in a computer is IDE or SATA without opening the case?

Joekool84

Figured it out.
So now my questions is: will any sata drive be able to be used in my computer? Or would I have to download different drivers to accomodate?