Hello there all. I was hoping you could help me out some. I think I will probably have to replace my hard drive, but maybe someone here can tell me otherwise. Out of the blue, my computer went black, and a DOS like screen came up. I turned off the computer and started it back up. I hit ESC to go to the boot menu and the hard drive wasnt even recognized. Is there anything I can do besides buy a new hard drive? And how can i go about getting files off of it before I dispose of the old one? Thanks.


On that 'DOS like screen', was there any message?

First thing you'll probably want to do: If you have access to another computer, put your current hard drive in it as a slave and see if it's recognized and try to get your files off it.

If the other computer doesn't see it too, the drive is probably dead, and there is no cheap solution to getting information off a dead drive.

Were you doing anything in particular at the time the computer died? Anything at all? Give as much information as possible, it really does help. there was no message posted on the DOS like screen. Prior to the meltdown, occassionaly the screen would go all white, or all black, or white with black stripes, and i would have to reboot. I had the computer on overnight, not doing anything active with it and when i woke up, that is when I found the DOS like screen. I have another computer, but it is a different type. The current one I am using now is an HP and my old one is a Sony, so not sure if I can slave to see what happens. I hope this helps you more.Should be able to, at least to get the info off the drive. We'll just be using the other computer to get the data off the drive since it still has a working OS.So most likely the hard drive is fried and will need to be replaced it would seem. I figured it would be. Thanks for the help. I will attempt the slave process this evening!The symptoms actually sound more like a video problem or possibly a failing PSU...

A few things you can do...all FREE.
Remove and re-seat the vid card.
Re-boot and see if things change.

DLoad and run the free diagnostics from the HDD manuf. website...this will tell you if indeed it is the drive failing.
Double check all drive cables are seated properly...

Borrow a known good PSU of the same wattage or greater and swap it in there.

As always when working inside the case remove all power sources and take ANTI static precautions...QUOTE from: patio on December 28, 2007, 09:55:54 AM

The symptoms actually sound more like a video problem or possibly a failing PSU...