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!

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)

"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

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!

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!

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!




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