Hard Drive failure

[Cntcomplain]

Hi,
I have an HP 511w. The other day I turned it on and the blue HP screen come up as always and then it went to a black screen that said operation system not found.

I can't go to safe mode, or set up or even get to the recovery partition. I do not have recovery CD's. I took the HD out and went to the manufactors site to get a tester. When I run the Seagate tester, it says that no hard drive is found. It says to make sure all cables are connected and to check the BIOS. When I go into the BIOS, beside Master and beside slave it says NONE(I think that's the word is uses).

Is there something I can do to get it recognized so that I can run the tester on it?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[garebo]

First thing make sure the drive is jumpered correctly. Check with h drive mfgr website for jumper setup.
Also use a different ide cable, preferrably one that is know to be good. Then see if bios sees the drive.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[rvnguy]

livelots,

I took the HD out.......When I run the Seagate tester, it says that no hard drive is found.

Just for clarification: Did you put the drive back in?

Please post back with results after following garebo's advice.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[Cntcomplain]

Yes, I took a different cable and plugged the HardDrive back in and I'm still getting the same results.

The only thing it says is no operating system found. I can go into the BIOS, but it still says that no HD is detected.

I won a HD on ebay, for a fairly cheap price, but I have no recovery disks. They were lost on the HD(as it stands right now). The Hard Drive is making a slight knocking sound also. A real light tapping sound. Of course it was working for a couple of weeks while making that noise.

Would the recovery disks of a similar computer work if the hard drive was blank. The one I'm working on is an HP. I also have a Compaq about the same age. It's the same size HD. Would it hurt to try it?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Rufusman]

It sounds like the HDD has failed. Are you after the data, or just looking to repair the drive so it works again?



RM

http://www.pcbsearch.com.au

 

[Rufusman]

If you are after the data , then most "recovery CDs' supplied with computers will erase all data. Read the instructions very carefully before trying this.

RM

http://www.pcbsearch.com.au

 

[Cntcomplain]

Getting the data off of it would be great, but I've accepted the fact that it's probably gone. I already have a new harddrive ordered.

The main thing I guess I'm concerned with, is how to put the operating system on the new hard drive without recovery CD's. Like I said earlier, I can't get into the recovery partition of the HD.

I guess I can order the CD's directly from HP, but It would be nice if there were some other less expensive way to restore my OS to the new Hard Drive.

I'm going now to look at the info. you posted. I will post back and let you know if I'm able to come up with anything.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

Chris

 

[rvnguy]

livelots,

What you are dealing with is the "OEM" licinsing scheme from Microsoft. This is where you do not receive the same CD as you would if you had purchased it as a retail OS. You also are not supposed to be able to upgrade this OS. I don't claim to fully understand this approach(read that "don't like it"). It is where you are. MS would suggest that you purchase a retail version, and while I do not like it, I would recommend that you do the same. This will get you out of the OEM circle something.

As you have already obtained a HD replacement, if you also obtain an OS CD that is retail, the only other thing that you might need are any specific drivers that the HP might need and they are available on the HP site by model.

Getting out of the gap that OEM places you in is really well worth the effort.


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[garebo]

One other thing, if you go to the HP site you can get the number that is on the cd then you can go to ebay and find one for sale cheaper than you can get it from HP!
If its an old system running win me or win 98 i would still go with the recovery as i dont feel its worth paying retail for an old os.
If its windows xp then it may be worth your while. I would still go with the recovery cd as it would still be cheaper and get the os and drivers all in one.
Thats just my opinion.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[kiddpete]

I have an OEM version of Win XP Pro on my machine. It gets updated all the time, so I'm not sure what this bit about not upgrading is all about. I did, however, get a CD with my machine that will install Windows. I recently insisted on a newer version due to a bug in the install procedure, and did get a new CD.

I'm amazed that HP ships machines without the disk. I'm equally amazed that customers accept them.

 

[Cntcomplain]

I wonder if it would be ok to use anyone's copy of windows xp. HP has the little sticker with the Product key and certificate of authenticity on the back of the computer. I suppose that would be legal.

Also, as far as the recovery partitions of the computer, HP is currently engage in lawsuit for this reason. They sold millions of PC's without the recovery disks and did not inform the customer that part of there HD space was used as the recovery Partition. I just found out since this happended the other day, by looking at the manual that I could have taken 6 blank CD's and recorded the recovery partition and then erased it, but it's a little too late for that now.

 

[rvnguy]

kiddpete & livelots,

Kidpete:

I have an OEM version of Win XP Pro on my machine. It gets updated all the time, so I'm not sure what this bit about not upgrading is all about.

Look at your own wording: You have "UPDATED" but not "UPGRADED", different animals. Win 2000 to Win XP is an Upgrade.

Livelots: You can attempt anything, and if it works great, but the fact is that MS does not support the OEM versions and while I am with you in not liking it, it is the way it is. Your comments about HP & MS having a legal tiff is between them and, unfortunately you are still out in the cold on this.

You might try kidpete's tactics on getting a CD from HP, it might work. As your comments on what HP has done are between you and HP.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[Cntcomplain]

I ordered the CD from HP today. It cost me $37.00 to get the one for my machine, but at least it's the right one. So, for $22.00 for the HD on Ebay and the cost of the CD, I've got about $60 invested. Not too shabby!

If it works

Thanks for the Advise!

Chris