My 3 year old Inspiron 700 got the "Loading PBR for Descriptor...2" error message, and also got those error codes when I performed a HDD Diagnostics. On the the Dell self-help site, they say to restore the OS on the hard drive(which loses everything), but once I did that, I got more error messages stating that the restore cannot be completed, contact Dell. I did some more research, looks like our HD has poop out and will be needing new ones. This time, I will make sure I back up everything up on an external drive just in case this disaster happens again.

In both cases, yes, a new hard drive is needed.

Please allow me to ask a question. I had the same problem with an Inspiron 8600 (i.e. Error code 2FOF:0244). I have ordered a new hard drive and hardware that will allow me to create a clone of my bad drive (it's still operational). My question is this: If I create a clone of my current bad drive, will the problems I am experiencing with the bad drive just be transferred to the new drive? Or should I just save/backup the files from my bad drive, then format and install the new drive, then copy my files to the new drive? Any help or recommendations will be appreciated. Roger