8E messages are frequently related to RAM (memory) problems. Reboot and press F12 before Windows starts to load. Go to Utilities partition and run all the RAM tests.
You can power off and disconnect PC from the wall. Then press/hold the power button for ~15 sec. Open the case and carefully reseat the RAM modules in their slots. Blow out all the dust bunnies too.
Thanks for replying! I ran the tests and did not find anything wrong with the RAM.
However, I did recieve this error message on the SATA disk S/N= 5Mt28LPK Read Test:
Error Code 0F00:0244
Msg: Block 199881491: Uncorrectable data error or media is write protected
I'm worried this means my Hard Drive is going down the tubes. The obvious thing to do is to call Dell, but I wonder if anyone else has any more advice. What should I do next? And what is the best way to get my data off of my hard drive (At this point I can still access Windows)?
Sure sounds like the hard drive is failing. If you're under warranty, contact Dell Tech Support immediately for a replacement. Insist they send you a 'fully imaged' hard drive for your model system. Otherwise, they'll send a blank hard drive and you'll have to format it, install Windows, drivers, etc.
Remember, even with a fully imaged drive you'll still have to download and install SP3 and subsequent updates from Microsoft (all free), asap.
In the meanwhile, you can burn your personal files onto CD/DVD. Dell probably provided basic CD/DVD burning software with your system, or you may have installed somethng on your own. Burn everything you need to keep. Don't forget your email in/out boxes, email address book, browser favorites list, etc.
An alternative is to use an external USB hard drive and copy all your files over there. If you have Acronis or Ghost software, you can create an exact image of the internal hard drive and save it on the external drive. When you get the new drive, you can use the image to re-create your hard drive as it was on the day you made the image. But anything put on the hard drive after you make the image won't be included. Acronis and Ghost let you make incremental backups so once you have the first image you can update it regularly until you swap drives.
If it were me, I'd burn stuff to CD/DVD right away and also make an image, assuming I had both the external hard drive and the right software. Can't hurt to have copies of everything on CD/DVD, just in case the image can't be restored to the drive. ;)
Dell will probably ask for the old hard drive back, so make sure to wipe it clean (there are a number of free utilities on the net) before you send it back so nobody can read your personal stuff. ;)
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
June 24th, 2008 04:00
8E messages are frequently related to RAM (memory) problems. Reboot and press F12 before Windows starts to load. Go to Utilities partition and run all the RAM tests.
You can power off and disconnect PC from the wall. Then press/hold the power button for ~15 sec. Open the case and carefully reseat the RAM modules in their slots. Blow out all the dust bunnies too.
Ron
lost42
3 Posts
0
June 24th, 2008 22:00
Thanks for replying! I ran the tests and did not find anything wrong with the RAM.
However, I did recieve this error message on the SATA disk S/N= 5Mt28LPK Read Test:
Error Code 0F00:0244
Msg: Block 199881491: Uncorrectable data error or media is write protected
I'm worried this means my Hard Drive is going down the tubes. The obvious thing to do is to call Dell, but I wonder if anyone else has any more advice. What should I do next? And what is the best way to get my data off of my hard drive (At this point I can still access Windows)?
I need help, thanks a lot!!!
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
June 25th, 2008 00:00
:(
Sure sounds like the hard drive is failing. If you're under warranty, contact Dell Tech Support immediately for a replacement. Insist they send you a 'fully imaged' hard drive for your model system. Otherwise, they'll send a blank hard drive and you'll have to format it, install Windows, drivers, etc.
Remember, even with a fully imaged drive you'll still have to download and install SP3 and subsequent updates from Microsoft (all free), asap.
In the meanwhile, you can burn your personal files onto CD/DVD. Dell probably provided basic CD/DVD burning software with your system, or you may have installed somethng on your own. Burn everything you need to keep. Don't forget your email in/out boxes, email address book, browser favorites list, etc.
An alternative is to use an external USB hard drive and copy all your files over there. If you have Acronis or Ghost software, you can create an exact image of the internal hard drive and save it on the external drive. When you get the new drive, you can use the image to re-create your hard drive as it was on the day you made the image. But anything put on the hard drive after you make the image won't be included. Acronis and Ghost let you make incremental backups so once you have the first image you can update it regularly until you swap drives.
If it were me, I'd burn stuff to CD/DVD right away and also make an image, assuming I had both the external hard drive and the right software. Can't hurt to have copies of everything on CD/DVD, just in case the image can't be restored to the drive. ;)
Dell will probably ask for the old hard drive back, so make sure to wipe it clean (there are a number of free utilities on the net) before you send it back so nobody can read your personal stuff. ;)
Ron