Terrible burrrrp sounds from my HDD :(

[stormbind]

This is an old laptop running Win98SE.

I just extracted mySQL.msi; when I try to launch that, the system behaves abnormally:

1. Mouse pointer freezes
2. HDD sounds like it is powering down
3. HDD makes a terrible and loud burrrrp sound
4. Mouse pointer returns to normal
5. HDD sounds like it is powering up
6. mySQL.msi could not be read

It is the same scenario if I try to delete the file, or if I try to view it's properties.

I restarted and Windows prompted me saying the HDD may have developed a fault and can it do a surface scan. I allowed it to, and about half-way through it went through stages 2 to 5 (detailed above) in a continuous loop until I hit the power button.

I can load windows and use the computer, but I cannot do anything with mySQL.msi and I desperately need the DBMS running for work!

Please advise.

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Memoria mihi benigna erit qui eam perscribam

 

[Sleepsalot]

Do a back up try loading last known config get waht you can off the drive and replace it.

Wayne

Life is a big Roleplaying adventure.

Wayne

 

[stormbind]

Replacing the HDD would be exceedingly difficult because:

1. The old BIOS will kick up a stink if presented with a large modern HDD

2. I have no means of making a full-backup anyway

THIS NEEDS A PROPER BODGE!

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Memoria mihi benigna erit qui eam perscribam

 

[micker377]

I put a 30gigdrive in my old Solo 2500 (came with Win 95!), with no problems. The BIOS breakpoints are usually: 8meg and 32meg (what do you have now?). You can get an adapter ($10.00 USD) to hook your hard drive in a desktop (IDE 2 master), get your data (save it to the desktop hard drive), and format to check to see if the drive IS defective. Once you have the data backed up, you can "play" with the "bad" hard drive all you want!