Read disk error occurred

[Chadman2006]

Hi all

 

When I turn my laptop on I get the following message on a black screen

"read disk error occurred" and to press "alt+ctr+del to restart"

When I do this I'm asked to press DEL to run setup.

But this is where I'm lost.

How can I get my laptop working again?

Please can anyone help.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

What happens after pressing the Del or delete key?

At the moment it is looking like a failed hard drive.

 

Nev.

[Chadman2006]

Read disk error

 

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

What happens after pressing the Del or delete key?

At the moment it is looking like a failed hard drive.

 

Nev.

 

It takes me to the bios setup utility screen.

 

But I have no idea what to do from here.

 

Any suggestions?

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, OK, it is doing that because thw system cannot find the hard drive. I am sorry but it looks like you need a new hard drive, that will mean a reinstallation of the operating system onto the new drive, what disks do you have, are they recovery disks or no disks at all?

Do you have any backup of what was stored on the computer?

If you buy a new hard drive are you happy in removing the old one and fitting the new one?

If any hesitation in tackling that, I recommend taking it to a repair specialist. They also may just be able to retrieve any data for you as well.

 

Nev.

[Chadman2006]

Read disk error

 

Hi, OK, it is doing that because thw system cannot find the hard drive. I am sorry but it looks like you need a new hard drive, that will mean a reinstallation of the operating system onto the new drive, what disks do you have, are they recovery disks or no disks at all?

Do you have any backup of what was stored on the computer?

If you buy a new hard drive are you happy in removing the old one and fitting the new one?

If any hesitation in tackling that, I recommend taking it to a repair specialist. They also may just be able to retrieve any data for you as well.

 

Nev.

 

Unfortunately I don't have any recovery disks, so a new drive it looks like.

Do you have any idea how much a repair specialist would charge to fit a new hard drive?

[Plastic Nev]

Not much of an idea I am afraid, best to shop around, however the new drive alone will be around £60, though a dealer repairer may get it cheaper, as I was looking for one for someone else recently.

Fitting is fairly simple so time charges shouldn't be that much, it is installing the operating system and saving data if possible that will take time and be charged for.

If you do go that direction, make sure you keep the old drive so no data can get into the wrong hands.

Do of course ask for it to be checked first though, as working remotely, as I am, I may just be wrong.

 

One thing to ask before we finish, has the laptop been knocked or dropped recently?

 

Also, just on the off chance it may free it up, give the laptop a knock underneath, not hard, just your knuckles will be enough, then see if it will run up. If it does, I would still recommend replacing the drive.

 

Nev.

[Chadman2006]

Not much of an idea I am afraid, best to shop around, however the new drive alone will be around £60, though a dealer repairer may get it cheaper, as I was looking for one for someone else recently.

Fitting is fairly simple so time charges shouldn't be that much, it is installing the operating system and saving data if possible that will take time and be charged for.

If you do go that direction, make sure you keep the old drive so no data can get into the wrong hands.

Do of course ask for it to be checked first though, as working remotely, as I am, I may just be wrong.

 

One thing to ask before we finish, has the laptop been knocked or dropped recently?

 

Also, just on the off chance it may free it up, give the laptop a knock underneath, not hard, just your knuckles will be enough, then see if it will run up. If it does, I would still recommend replacing the drive.

 

Nev.

 

 

Tried giving it a little knock but no joy.

 

I'll ask for the old drive.

 

Thanks for the advice

[Plastic Nev]

OK, thanks and please let us know how you get on.

 

Nev.

[Chadman2006]

OK, thanks and please let us know how you get on.

 

Nev.

Hi

I went to a repair shop and he ran a diagnostic check and the hard drive does need replacing. He actually showed me where the hard drive was. I was quoted £105 for a 500gb drive with fitting.

However I've looked into fitting it myself, and I'm confident I can do this.

The problem I have is reinstalling windows 7 on the new drive.

Any suggestions?

[KenB]

Just butting in here .................Hope you don't mind Nev ?

 

A 500GB hard drive will cost about £50

 

An OEM version of Win7 will cost about £70

 

 

If the £105 includes installing Win7 it looks like a good deal.

Ask if you are given the Win7 disk.

[Plastic Nev]

No problem Ken, and wise words from you as usual.

 

Chadman, check with the guy if installing a fresh copy of Windows 7 is in the price he quoted, as Ken said a very good deal if installing W7 is included.

 

It will have to be a completely fresh copy, as you have no disks and the OS on the dead drive, is I am afraid as dead as the drive now.

 

However, find yourself a new drive and the OEM of W7 and we will still be here if you need further help.

 

Just for information purposes, if you deal directly with Microsoft for a retail version of W7 it will cost a lot more, so do shop around. Amazon, E Bay, and plenty of other on line dealers to look at for both the new drive and an OEM version of W7.

 

Let us know what you find and where, if not sure of anything.

 

Nev.