pc start up problem

[porridge]

Hi there,

 

After powering up the PC the start up became very slow and then slower before eventually getting to the Windows XP entry screen , but mouse and keyboard would not respond and this deteriorated to the point where the screen does not now respond either.

 

On start up a loud and rapid clicking sound is emitted from the tower but this eventually goes off.

 

I also noticed on the start up screens that it did not seem to be recognizing the primary slave as the screen text showed : primary slave : aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

 

Help please.

 

 

Porridge

[RandyL]

Hi porridge:

A PC slowing down at start up. PC deteriorating more over time. Loud clicking noises probably coming from the hard drive as it starts up. My first guess would be a failing or failed hard drive.

 

As for the mouse and keyboard it might be related. Are they USB?

 

Primary slave issues. Do you have two hard drives? Or did you mean primary master?

 

I would try a hard drive diagnostic test first. Your computer manufacturer might have one or try downloading one from the maker of your hard drive. Ultimate Boot CD also has hard drive diagnostics.

 

In any case it appears you can't get into Windows anymore. I would try slaving your drive to another computer and attempt to transfer and backup your files.

 

But if this has been going on for a while it might be way too late already. I hope I'm wrong about your files.

 

Maybe someone else will post their thoughts soon. But these are classic symptons based on my experience. But I am wrong sometimes;

RandyL

[danzil]

i agree with randyl.

try the hard drive as a slave in another pc...backup your data...

i advise you not to leave this to long,the longer the hard drive is in use ,the more likely chance your data will be unretrievable.

as you stated in the bios the drive, is recgonised as a aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,,this is NOT correct.so all point to hard drive failure unfortunatly.

regards

danzil

[porridge]

To Danzil and RandyL,

 

Thanks for your prompt replies - I rather feared it was a hard drive failure and you both confirm that this is the most likely.

 

I'll try the diagnostics and take it from there.

 

 

porridge

[danzil]

best thing to do is do not power the old hard drive on till you have your new one...data still may be recoverable on it by slaving it...

let us know how you get on.

regards

danzil