Data Error Reading Drive C

latinayy · 12-06-2005, 12:40 PM

Cannot boot-up system. Cannot start in Safe Mode. Cannot Scandisk. Cannot Scanreg. Cannot Restore.

"DATA ERROR READING DRIVE C" is what appears on my screen everytime I try to do all the above and more.

Please, is there anyone out there who can help me? I don't want to lose my files or programs, what can I do?

Geekgirl · 12-06-2005, 01:32 PM

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but this is one of the scarier hard drive errors. It usually means your hard drive is pooched, time to purchase another

Sometimes the error being reported is repairable, and sometimes it means it’s time to buy a different hard drive, possibly losing everything on your old one in the process.

Find the make/model of your hard drive, go to this link and d/l the manufacturers diagnostic utility and check the integrity of the drive.
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

You may and I stress you may be able to retrieve your data by slaving the drive onto another computer. Its worth a try. I would first try retrieving the info before trying to run the diagnostic as you may damage it more than it already is by trying to access it with the tool.

**oshwyn5** · 12-08-2005, 09:13 AM

The first thing I always reccommend when you get a drive access problem is that you unplug the computer and open the case and look for a shiney coinlike thing. This is the cmos retention battery, it retains information as to what was entered in the bios configuration ; such as what hard drive you have.
Write down the number on it (usually 2032, or 2074) , go to a store (home depot has them for under a dollar for use on laser levels and zircon stud detectors - but even grocery stores now often carry them) get a new one.
When you replace it work quickly.
How to configure your bios
You may (probably will) need to boot to setup (generally something like press del to enter setup when you first hear the post beep when you first press the on button).
Also , while you have the computer open , check the ide ribbon to the hard drive and power cable are secure (ribbon failure is next on my list).

Laptops, generally the main battery supplies power to the cmos, so unless it dies, the internal watch batteries never get used and they last much longer (and are harder to find and replace). But because of its being moved a lot, and the extreme variations in temperature, the ribbon cable (which resembles a peice of 35mm film on a laptop ) is much more likely to come loose. If it is a laptop, you either have a panel on the bottom you remove and can access it or you move some sliders and rotate the keyboard up towards you (be careful it too is connected by a fragile cable) and you release and reseat the cable.

If none of that works, then testing with the drive manufacturers software (often from a bootable cd or floppy) to confirm that it is dead.

Chevy · 12-10-2005, 09:06 AM

Ummm .... BIOS info retention would not cause this error. During the post process, drives are auto-detected (most BIOS's have all set to deault detection) ... GG had it right with this being a possible drive error (either on the platters or the logic board) ....

12-06-2005, 12:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
latinayy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: GARDENA, CALIFORNIA Posts: 4 OS: WINDOWS ME	Data Error Reading Drive C Cannot boot-up system. Cannot start in Safe Mode. Cannot Scandisk. Cannot Scanreg. Cannot Restore. "DATA ERROR READING DRIVE C" is what appears on my screen everytime I try to do all the above and more. Please, is there anyone out there who can help me? I don't want to lose my files or programs, what can I do?

12-06-2005, 01:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,183 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but this is one of the scarier hard drive errors. It usually means your hard drive is pooched, time to purchase another Sometimes the error being reported is repairable, and sometimes it means it’s time to buy a different hard drive, possibly losing everything on your old one in the process. Find the make/model of your hard drive, go to this link and d/l the manufacturers diagnostic utility and check the integrity of the drive. http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 You may and I stress you may be able to retrieve your data by slaving the drive onto another computer. Its worth a try. I would first try retrieving the info before trying to run the diagnostic as you may damage it more than it already is by trying to access it with the tool. __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

12-08-2005, 09:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
oshwyn5 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dallas , Tx Posts: 1,435 OS: DOS,Win95,98,ME,XP, Fedora	The first thing I always reccommend when you get a drive access problem is that you unplug the computer and open the case and look for a shiney coinlike thing. This is the cmos retention battery, it retains information as to what was entered in the bios configuration ; such as what hard drive you have. Write down the number on it (usually 2032, or 2074) , go to a store (home depot has them for under a dollar for use on laser levels and zircon stud detectors - but even grocery stores now often carry them) get a new one. When you replace it work quickly. How to configure your bios You may (probably will) need to boot to setup (generally something like press del to enter setup when you first hear the post beep when you first press the on button). Also , while you have the computer open , check the ide ribbon to the hard drive and power cable are secure (ribbon failure is next on my list). Laptops, generally the main battery supplies power to the cmos, so unless it dies, the internal watch batteries never get used and they last much longer (and are harder to find and replace). But because of its being moved a lot, and the extreme variations in temperature, the ribbon cable (which resembles a peice of 35mm film on a laptop ) is much more likely to come loose. If it is a laptop, you either have a panel on the bottom you remove and can access it or you move some sliders and rotate the keyboard up towards you (be careful it too is connected by a fragile cable) and you release and reseat the cable. If none of that works, then testing with the drive manufacturers software (often from a bootable cd or floppy) to confirm that it is dead. __________________ Hello and Welcome to TSF My name is Pete but call me Oshwyn Click here for the five steps for Malware Removal If we have been of assistance please consider Donating to TSF to keep the forum running.

12-10-2005, 09:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Chevy Retired Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Notlob Posts: 5,452 OS: Vista Ultimate My System	Ummm .... BIOS info retention would not cause this error. During the post process, drives are auto-detected (most BIOS's have all set to deault detection) ... GG had it right with this being a possible drive error (either on the platters or the logic board) ....