Hello,

I have a big computer problem. It's a Dell Dimension E310 with Windows XP. Yesterday, upon starting up the computer, after the SCREEN with the Dell logo went away, a screen APPEARED saying "Loading PBR for descriptor 2...done." And then it said either the device failed or was not found (I can't exactly remember), and it said to hit CTRL+ALT+DELTE to reboot. I did so numerous times and the same "Loading PBR for descriptor 2...done" came up. So I put in the Windows XP INSTALLATION CD and tried the Recovery Console. At first, the only drive that was given was some K:\ drive. I ran chkdsk on that, and it did not help, so I decided to type in "c:" and run chkdsk on the C: drive. After about an hour, it said, "The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems."

Then, things started to go downhill from there. I had to do a force shutdown, and then when I started it again, I noticed that the Dell Diagnostic Lights 2 and 3 were lit during the Dell logo screen.

A few other errors appeared after this, but at the moment, after the Dell logo screen is done loading, the next screen will say "SATA primary hard disk drive 0 failure."

Some things I have also noticed:

1) The Dell Diagnostics lights 1, 2, and 3 will now display once the "SATA primary hard disk drive 0 failure" screen displays.
2) I have heard 2 beeps coming from the computer at times.
3) Upon start up, the hard drive will make a intermittent clicking sound for a few minutes.
4) A few minutes after start up, I will hear the hard drive start to spin, like it used to, and then eventually continue with the clicking noise.

What should I do?

Thanks,

TomQuote from: CAFANTOM on May 11, 2010, 12:08:17 PM

What should I do?

Is there a way for me to install Windows on the external hard drive and have the computer boot from that?

My next question is: What service would you recommend to recover my files on the broken hard drive?

The short answer is, you cannot install windows on an external hard drive.

If you mean a data recovery software package, I think this will be a waste of money. That disk is dead. The files have gone to heaven. unless -- maybe! -- you use a data recovery company. I cannot recommend any particular one, I do not even know what country you live in. They are very very expensive. Hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Samon you can install windows on an external hard drive. Your wrong. Ive installed xp,vista,and 7 on one. i know a friend that runs his computer via usb so u can install on a external hard drive. (vista and 7 is the easiest to install on)

I know that with a number of steps that are quite difficult for the average user it is possible to persuade Windows to install on external hard drives. It is a geek thing, and the results are not usually very stable. That is why I wrote that "the short answer" is that you cannot do this.

I would think that you were a serious person, if instead of just posting to tell me how wrong I am, you actually posted good clear step by step instructions showing how to do this.

gosh dude all i said was u were incorrect thats all. jeeze this forum takes things to seriously

how about setting up a boot on a external flash drive? would that work for him?