Hard Drive Failure ?

Question

I have a Dimension 8200 with 2Ghz P4 processor, 384MB RAM, 100GB HD running Windows XP.

I started up Windows OK, but within a few minutes I had a blue screen teling me a problem had been detected and Windows had been shut down to prevent damage to the computer. As it was the fist time I'd seen this stop error screen I restarted the computer as instructed, however it went through the BIOS but then wouldn't boot. I checked the Setup and under the Primary Drive 0 said Unknown Device. The Secondary Drives 0 & 1 (my DVD Drive and CD-RW Drive) were also listed as Unknown Devices. The boot sequence lists: 1) Diskette Drive, 2) Hard Disk Drive (Not Installed) and 3) CD-ROM Device (Not Installed). I checked the cable connections inside, and I tried restarting several times but with no luck.

I tried a few hours later and did manage to get it to boot up Windows, but then a few minutes later it went to the blue screen again. It gave some info about checking new hardware or software had been installed correctly, etc. However I haven't installed anything new recently. It also gave some info about starting in safe mode etc. and ended with the message "Begining dump of physical memory". When restarted it wouldn't boot again, with the same problems as before.

I heard the hard drive go quite before it crashed the second time. Am I right in guessing the Hard Drive is failing / has failed? Or could there be any other problem?

Many thanks

RichardMuck · Answer

Hello,   It's really interesting...... I have just run into , just about the same problem. That, NASTY, blue screen.   My Hard drives are there, htey are seen as I first boot up. BUT, when I try going into any diagnostics, it doesn't see the hard drives.   And that, is where the Dell Tech, ''HUNG UP'' on me!!!!!!!!!!!   Talk, about being P(**&&^^%ed.   Rick

volcano11 · Answer

Richard115, Try clearing NVRAM using the intructions specific to your system in This Document. Steve

volcano11 · Answer

That's the SMART warning and does indicate that drive is about to fail. Follow the advice and back up your data, then replace the hard drive. If your system is still under warranty, call Dell Tech Support, tell them about the error, and they will send you new drive. If it is out of warranty, you will have to buy one, but fortunately hard drive prices have dropped since your bought your computer.

Steve

Richard115 · Answer

I managed to get it to boot up again, but this time it gave a warning that the hard drive was operating outside its normal parameters (or some words along those lines) and advised me to back up my data and replace the hard drive. I managed to save my recent data that wasn't backed up, however Windows then crashed again and I had the same problem.

I thought I'd try your suggestion of clearing the NVRAM at this stage anyway, but it didn't make any difference. So it obviously seems to be a failed hard drive. Many thanks anyway.

Vienski · Answer

Hey dude! That means that the HDD is failing man! Try running 90-90 diags by pressing F12 on the splash screen and then choose the IDE drive diagnostics and you will see that the primary master drive will fail and will have a return code. (Note: if can't get or if you don't have IDE drive diagnostics on F12 try pressing ctrl-alt-d on the splash screen.)

Storage, Drives & Media

Hard Drive Failure ?

Was this post helpful?