System will not boot: 'A Disk Read Error Occurred'

Question

I have an Inspiron 600m laptop computer. Earlier today, I was booting up my system, but as it was loading the startup process, there was a strange buzzing noise in the lower left area of my computer near the mouse pad. This noise occurred halfway through the startup process each time I restarted my computer. After several attempts, I finally got this:

Loading PBR for descriptor 2... Done

A Dick Read Error Occurred

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del To Restart

I can't figure out what is causing this problem. I've run diagnostic tests, but found nothing but the error code of 1000-0146 DST Log, but I don't believe that has relavence to my problem. If anyone has experienced this problem or knows a solution, I would greatly appreciate it if you could help.

Message Edited by Robert Stech on 05-02-2007 07:07 PM

Message Edited by Robert Stech on 05-02-2007 07:11 PM

PETER345 · Answer

Did you run the extended HD tests? It sounds like you have a hard read failure that should be easy to detect. If that is the case, replacing the HD is the next step (or you can reformat and mark the bad sectors as such, but that is playing with fire).

Peter

Robert Stech · Answer

Where do I find the extended HD tests?   Also, if I replace my hard drive, will I lose all the data currently stored on my computer, or is there a way to save it to another device?

Noxo · Answer

That 1000-0146 error code means that your system has found a problem with the hard drive and it most likely will need replaced.

mombodog · Answer

'Where do I find the extended HD tests?'   http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/deke/laptopsupport/manuals/d600/diag.htm

PETER345 · Answer

If you replace the HD, you will lose access to your data. However, you can try to connect the drive externally and then copy the files using something like this. Once you get it connected, you may or may not be able to read your important data depending on damage to the drive.

Peter

Robert Stech · Answer

Ok. Thank you all for your help, it's greatly appreciated.

Storage, Drives & Media

System will not boot: "A Disk Read Error Occurred"

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