i dont know how competent with computers you are so dont take what i say as a insult etc.
reboot the system, go into bios ( Hold down F2, this will take you into BIOS. On some computers it might be the DEL key, or F1. )
find the area where it shows floppy, cd dvd driver, hard drive etc. make sure the hard drive is at number one. (follow instructions how to do this from the screen)
save and let it reboot.
if you still have the issue. reboot, pres F8 for advanced menu, and select safe mode
go to my computer, go to the main hard driver which is normally drive c, right click, go to properties, select tools, pres check now tick both box's , press ok, and you will either have it check the drive there and then, or will tell you in order for it to follow those instructions it needs to reboot, press ok and reboot.
it coudl take minutes or houyrs to go through the chkdsk.
if that doesnt sort it and you dont have any data to worry about backing up, go get hirens cd, it can be run under bios, go into the hard drive tools and select low level format. this again will likely take hours if the hard drive is large.
but it will hopefully solve any issues the hard drive itself is having.
if you do have data to back up and you have another system to hand (if the other system isnt sata enabled go buy a external sata enclosuer which you can then add the laptop hdd to ) how ever you will need to find out how to take the drive out of the laptop first., when you attach the drive, go to the main drive part, go to
C:\Documents and Settings (on windows xp this is) locate the named folder, and either if you have enough space on your workign system, right clikc on the folder and press copy and then paste on the workign system for now)
this will save all your data, just not your software which you can likely locate for updates anyways.
if you are havign to do the backup , this is a good chance to after you have saved the files, do the low level format whilst the drive is there.
currently hirens cd has v14 restored edition, but you can mount to a virtual drive and run a load of applications via windows.
good luck, and Im always here for a hand
oh and whilst the drive is either in the laptop or on the new system, after the low level option, go for the hard drive check, which i believe is also on the hirens cd, and is the western digital tool.
Message was edited by: mathewlisett
Message was edited by: mathewlisett
