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#1
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Hard drive failure?
Hi,
Can any one tell me some typical symptoms of hard drive failure?? Lately my computer will hardly startup at all, when it does, it makes a weak beep, the lights flash once then nothing but a black screen.(The green 'on' led and the red 'HD'led stay on along with the cpu and powersupply fans.) Eventually after many tries I get it to safemode where it HANGS so I tried reinstalling win 98 and everytime I get it to "start" setup it HANGS while "loading files to my computer", almost the same place each time. Wondering if it is the hard drive? Thank you! |
#2
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Hard drive failure?
My first guess would be the hard drive; then again, I've been tasked
with fixing my Brtother-in-law's computer, which has very similar symptoms. After replacing the HDD, it's no better. My next guess would be the IDE port (mounted on the MB) going flaky; you can pick up a PCI card that will provide IDE ports fairly cheap, and often they give better performance than the built in MB port anyway. Step one would be to pull the cover and check all IDE connection to the drive (both ends of the ribbon cable), as well as the power supply connection. Often just "reseating" them (take off, put back on) is enough to smarten it up. Also inspect carefully for bent pins; its surprisingly easy to do if you plug in the IDE cable without making sure it's seating right. It may be simply not fully seated, or it may be dust or oxidation causing poor contact (and the reseat will often clear this). If that doesn't fix it, you might try a utility to test the hard drive. I downloaded Maxblast from Maxtor, and with it you can write/read every sector to verify drive functionality. On Mon, 24 May 2004 22:01:49 -0700, "Jessica" wrote: Hi, Can any one tell me some typical symptoms of hard drive failure?? Lately my computer will hardly startup at all, when it does, it makes a weak beep, the lights flash once then nothing but a black screen.(The green 'on' led and the red 'HD'led stay on along with the cpu and powersupply fans.) Eventually after many tries I get it to safemode where it HANGS so I tried reinstalling win 98 and everytime I get it to "start" setup it HANGS while "loading files to my computer", almost the same place each time. Wondering if it is the hard drive? Thank you! Note - to reply by email, please reformat the addressee (should be pretty obvious) |
#3
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Hard drive failure?
"Jessica" wrote in message ... Hi, Can any one tell me some typical symptoms of hard drive failure?? Lately my computer will hardly startup at all, when it does, it makes a weak beep, the lights flash once then nothing but a black screen.(The green 'on' led and the red 'HD'led stay on along with the cpu and powersupply fans.) Eventually after many tries I get it to safemode where it HANGS so I tried reinstalling win 98 and everytime I get it to "start" setup it HANGS while "loading files to my computer", almost the same place each time. Wondering if it is the hard drive? Thank you! it's possibly a RAM problem you can try different RAM or use a utility such as memtest86 to test your harddrive go to the website of the mfg and see if they have a diagnostic utility... they probably do |
#4
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Hard drive failure?
The first thing I'd do (all respect to the other posters) would be to have
the power supply tested. -- Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to. * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "Jessica" wrote in message ... Hi, Can any one tell me some typical symptoms of hard drive failure?? Lately my computer will hardly startup at all, when it does, it makes a weak beep, the lights flash once then nothing but a black screen.(The green 'on' led and the red 'HD'led stay on along with the cpu and powersupply fans.) Eventually after many tries I get it to safemode where it HANGS so I tried reinstalling win 98 and everytime I get it to "start" setup it HANGS while "loading files to my computer", almost the same place each time. Wondering if it is the hard drive? Thank you! |
#5
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Hard drive failure?
You can test the hard drive yourself--the power supply may require
professional testing as a voltage meter and the know how to use it are required. To test the hard drive, determine the brand, go to the maker's web site, download their diagnostic software which runs from a floppy and test the drive. -- Regards Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98 Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour Knowledge Base Info: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo "Jessica" wrote in message ... Hi, Can any one tell me some typical symptoms of hard drive failure?? Lately my computer will hardly startup at all, when it does, it makes a weak beep, the lights flash once then nothing but a black screen.(The green 'on' led and the red 'HD'led stay on along with the cpu and powersupply fans.) Eventually after many tries I get it to safemode where it HANGS so I tried reinstalling win 98 and everytime I get it to "start" setup it HANGS while "loading files to my computer", almost the same place each time. Wondering if it is the hard drive? Thank you! |
#6
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Hard drive failure?
Hi Jessica, I agree with Richard, it sounds more like power supply than
anything else. Curt -- W98 Support & Discussion: http://dundats.proboards27.com/index.cgi Windows How-tos and and Freewa http://mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/ Windows Help & Discussion: http://forum.aumha.org/ --- "Richard G. Harper" wrote in message .. . The first thing I'd do (all respect to the other posters) would be to have the power supply tested. -- Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to. * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "Jessica" wrote in message ... Hi, Can any one tell me some typical symptoms of hard drive failure?? Lately my computer will hardly startup at all, when it does, it makes a weak beep, the lights flash once then nothing but a black screen.(The green 'on' led and the red 'HD'led stay on along with the cpu and powersupply fans.) Eventually after many tries I get it to safemode where it HANGS so I tried reinstalling win 98 and everytime I get it to "start" setup it HANGS while "loading files to my computer", almost the same place each time. Wondering if it is the hard drive? Thank you! --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.690 / Virus Database: 451 - Release Date: 5/22/04 |
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