Operating System not found / No drives were found

[RickCov]

Evening All,

 

Im hoping someone can help solve a persistent problem i'm having with my old laptop. Its a Samsung R40 Plus which has decided it no longer wishes to function. The initial problem started when one day I powered it up to a black screen which displayed "operating system not found" so I took out my spade and dug out the System Recovery disc containing the operating System (Vista Home Basic). Pleased with the prospect of having a functionable laptop I set to re-install the operating system, only to get half way through and receive this message "No drives were found. Click Load Driver to provide a mass storage driver for installation". I did so and had no luck, even with the System Software Media disc. So apparently the system is not locating the HDD. Has anyone experienced this problem and found a solution or is someone so kind as to share their knowledge to my advantage? Any help will be gratefully received. Thanks in advance

 

Richard.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]567.vB5-legacyid=1237[/ATTACH]

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

Check the DVD CDROM drive - make sure there is no disk left in.

 

Can you get to Advanced Startup Options by constantly tapping F8 after switching on.

Select "Last Known Good Configuration" - this is an outside chance.

 

Check the connections to the Hard Drive and make sure they have not come loose.

You will need to take the panel off ( underneath the case ) to access the HDD.

Take it out and replace.

[RickCov]

I have tried all of the above with no success, could it be something to do with chiPset drivers?

[KenB]

could it be something to do with chiPset drivers?

Why do you ask this?

 

Can you access the BIOS?

Usually F2 or DEL.

Constantly tap F2 or DEL after you switch on ( about once per second )

 

You will see a message "Press **** to enter Setup" to confirm which one it is.

 

Use the arrow keys to navigate.

 

Is the Hard Drive showing in the BIOS ?

 

==============

 

EDIT:

Found these specs:

http://www.samsung.com/uk/business/b2b/products/notebooks/business_class/r40plus.htm

 

Which OS do you have?

 

Is the HDD SATA or IDE ?

[RickCov]

Just something I read on another forum. It's as if the system can't locate the correct drivers in order to access the hdd

 

I can access the bios menu but unfortunately not all the keys seem to be working on the keyboard so I cannot tell if the hdd shows or not.

 

The OS is Vista home basic and I believe the hdd is sata.

[KenB]

not all the keys seem to be working on the keyboard

Presumably the keyboard worked to get you into the BIOS.

 

When in the BIOS ( usually on the right hand side ) it will tell you how to move around.

This is normally the arrow keys ( not the ones in the number pad ).

 

=================

 

If we can't move around the BIOS the only other option is to take the drive out and connect it to another system and check it over from there.

 

Let me know which way we need to go.

[RickCov]

The F2 key functions fine but generally the keys on the right side of the keyboard do not function at all. I would connect it to my current laptop but the only adapter I have is an IDE adapter.

[KenB]

the keys on the right side of the keyboard do not function at all.

 

Are you using the arrow keys in the numeric keypad?

http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/756fe07ed6.jpg

 

or the usual arrow keys

http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/pics/b51c2dfabd.jpg

 

Suggest you get hold of a 2.5 inch SATA to USB adapter so that you can (possibly) get at your files etc and check the drive out.

[RickCov]

I'm definitely using the right arrow keys. Ive been looking onlind and came across this.. Would this unit suffice?

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SATA-HARD-DRIVE-CADDY-ENCLOSURE/dp/B002UZO07C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317227088&sr=8-1

[KenB]

That would be fine.

 

One of the reviews suggested that the connection for the drive was a bit "dodgy" so I would be a bit careful making the connection.

For that price I may order one myself :)

[RickCov]

I know, it was the price that attracted me to it. I may just go ahead and order one. If im only going to use it a couple times I will probably be ok. Thanks for your help KenB. I may be referring back to this thread once I have checked the hard drive with this device

.

[KenB]

You are welcome.

 

I have ordered mine already :)

[RickCov]

Ok, so I purchased the SATA adapter and it arrived today. Now when I plug the HDD into my current laptop via the USB cable and caddy, i get no response. It doesnt show in My Computer, Disk Management or Device Manager. There is a small sound from the HDD like its trying to work but the disk is definately not spinning. Please help??

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, until Ken gets back to you, it looks like the drive is a dead one, if you want to resurrect the laptop/notebook you will need to get a new drive.

However, if there are files on the old drive you wish to retrieve you can try freezing the drive. Don't laugh, I have heard of it working, though never tried it myself. The trick is to seal the drive in a plastic bag and then leave it in the freezer for up to a day, though a period of maybe four hours may be enough. Remove it from the freezer after that time and connect to your computer and try to access the drive as quickly as you can, some say to leave it in the bag with the leads coming out for immediate connection on removing from the freezer.

I wish you the best of luck with that as it doesn't always work, but something that has worked for some people has got to be worth a try.

 

Nev.

[KenB]

Things are not looking good.

 

My caddy works fine - so I doubt it is the adapter.

 

If the system is not seeing the drive there is very little we can do.

 

the disk is definately not spinning

One last possibilty..... ( this will sound a bit strange :) )

 

take the drive out of the caddy.

Put it in a sealable plastic bag ( freezer bag )

Make sure you expell all of the air.

Put the drive in the freezer over night.

 

try it again.