Computer stuck at loading PBR error message- help!

Question

:smileymad: Hi I am wondering if my hard drive has crashed or what has happened.  To be brief, son shut computer down using power button as it had frozen while he was doing something.  A few hours later, received blue screen with something on it (it restarted on its own before I saw it) - and now I just get a black screen with the Dell blue bar across the top and it says: Loading PBR for descriptor 2...done   I have a Dimension 3000 - Windows XP Home Edition...not under warranty anymore.   I ran the diagnostics under can't boot to OS and these are the 2 errors that came up: IDE Disk S/N 5JVFK5TR Read Test Error code 0F00:0244 Msg block 131278529 Uncorrectable data error or mdeia is write protected   IDE Disk S/N 5JVFK5TR Verify Test Error COde 0F00:1A44 Msb block 131278529 Uncorrectable data error or media is write protected   I am unable to get anywhere except into set up (F2) or Hardware diagnostics (F12).  The computer won't boot to the Windows reinstallation CD or the Dell Resource CD (I went into set up and changed the boot sequence to the CD drive). I couldn't even get anywhere to do the Symantec restore.   For some reason the DVD drive is also stuck - won't open with a paper clip to release it or anything.  The kids said there wasn't anything in there - that they hadn't been able to use it for awhile so that may be a separate issue.    Is there some way to repair this or is my computer toast.  I'm a newbie with hardware issues.  Thnks for any help. Sue

ejn63 · Answer

The hard drive needs to be replaced.

dg1261 · Answer

It's not uncommon to get stuck at 'Loading PBR for descriptor 2...done' when the hard disk goes bad, and your diagnostics have confirmed there's a problem with the hard disk.   If it's a Maxtor, replace it with a different brand and do a fresh install of XP from CD.  If it's something else, either replace the HDD or check the manufacturer's website for a diagnostic/repair utility.  For example, I've had success with a couple Western Digitals, where their utility has found unreadable sectors and removed them from service.  The HDDs were then reformatted, XP reinstalled, and they are still working fine a few years later.   As for the DVD drive, if the paperclip trick won't work when the power is off, then it's either busted or something is jammed inside it.

maddy78 · Answer

Hi,   I suspect that the optical drive is causing this problem. Open the system tower and unplug the power and IDE cables of the cd drive. Reset the defaults in System setup. My gutt feel it should work.   Cheers, Maddy.

ejn63 · Answer

The optical drive is not causing the errors - they are hard errors that indicate the hard drive is failing.

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