disk read error occurred

Question

Hello All   I've read the posts and i know that the hard drive has failed - Fail.  return code: 7 Loading PBR for descriptor2 .... done The question is.. Will any of the data restore or data recovery programs work?? I've read cnet and znet and pcworld and all i get is blah blah blah... Can i install the failed drive in an external box and get it to read..   thanks all in advance

MACHADO458 · Answer

I've never used any of the data recovery programs but I keep hearing good things about SpinRite ( http://www.grc.com/sr/spinrite.htm).   I'm usually able to retrieve data when I load the drive as a slave on another machine or using a external enclosure thru USB. I go straight for the important data (pics, music, etc).

ddntno · Answer

got the new hard drive - master   is/are there instructions somewhere to installing windows XP?   sometimes you find what you want quite easily on the forum - other times it will make you nuts   thanks all

shesagordie · Answer

ddntno

It would help, to post the computer model.

This is an excellent guide to a clean reinstall of XP.

Bev.

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

ddntno · Answer

absolutly correct Bev, and I am sorry for the bad ettiquite.   I did find that site and it did help with the installation, but...   The computer is a dimension 8400, Windows XP service pack 2, or it was until I got the PBR message. I still have a lot of updating and driver downloading to do (sigh)   I am unable to get it to recognize the old drive- slave - to try and salvage any info off it...   i was reading up about jumpers, but then i also read that with Serial ATA drives you dont need to. worry about the jumpers   so either the old drive is completely toast, it does power up and spin, or something I missed something.   thanks in advance

shesagordie · Answer

ddntno

The best you can do, is remove the failed SATA hard drive, install the new drive and XP, install all the drivers, updates and patches.

When the new drive is working to your satisfaction, install the failed drive in a USB 2.0, powered, SATA external enclosure and see if you can transfer the files needed to the new hard drive, this is not always successful, depending on the condition of the drive.

Note: You can only tranfer data files, all the applications and programs must be install from their discs, or downloaded from the publisher's website.

You connect the 'Master' SATA hard drive, to motherboard blue SATA port-0, and yes, there are no jumper settings for SATA, same as IDE drives have.

Bev.

Ps. I went through the same thing with a D-8400, about four weeks ago, the hardest part was downloading all the MicroSoft critical updates, on a dialup ISP.

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

ddntno · Answer

Okay...   Well...   I went to the local computer store (microcenter) and picked up a external enclosure, Brand name Coolmax.   I opened the box and all went well until i tried to hook up the drive - I bought one for an IDE HDD - oops   But I had and old drive laying around that i hung onto because i wanted to retrieve stuff of off, and lo and behold I was able to.   So I went back to comp. store to pick up another external, a SATA, but alas no coolmax, Vantec Nexstar 3 was my choice, got it home hooked it up Windows XP reconized the drive, just as with the coolmax, the drive spun up and hummed along, but the only message that i got was that the drive was not formatted and would I like to format it now?   Which i wouldnt at the moment...   Would different brands work differently, Tiger direct has the Coolmax brands, I think that it is worth a try to return this one, Vantec, and pick up the coolmax just for funsy.   Anybody have any thoughts whether I'm wasting my time or not   Thanks all in advance

MACHADO458 · Answer

I've got 2 Vantec enclosures. IDE & Sata, I don't think the brand name makes a difference unless its a poor brand name which is not your case.   If Vantec can't mount the drive or see the file structure then I guess its beyond data recovery using an enclosure. Try mounting it as a secondary Sata drive on a system and see what happens. If anything try running a chkdsk on it and perhaps it can repair it to the point where you can see the contents.

shesagordie · Answer

ddntno

Basically all the external enclosures work the same.

Sorry, but it sounds like the hard drive is toast.

Bev.

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

ddntno · Answer

Well, good news,   I tried that Vantec bunches and bunches last night and this morning, no luck.   I drove out to Tiger direct, about an hours drive, but I couldnt find a Coolmax, so i buy the next to cheapest enclosure they got, I mean they dont even have the manufacturers name on the box or any of the accompaning paperwork. Get it home hook it up and it reads the drive.   I know, I know, I got lucky   but at least my wife will stop nagging me about not making HER back up HER photos, even though thats what i'll be doing this weekend, after i get everything over to the new drive.   Thanks everyone for your help and advice and I'll make sure that if i can help somebody on this forum I will.    Bleess our troops

shesagordie · Answer

ddntno

Pleased to have helped. :smileyhappy:

Bev.

Ps. I don't nag, I just 'prompt' people's memory. :smileyvery-happy:

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

Storage, Drives & Media

disk read error occurred

Was this post helpful?