Question

Disk read error occured

Asked by: yeller

Clone PC
AMD 2GHz processor
1 stick 512 MB RAM
30GB Maxtor Hard disk

I just did a complete format and re-install of Windows XP Pro  on this computer.  I got all the software and data configured and restored.  It was working great.  I was showing the person the new installation and we decided to shutdown so that they could see how it booted up, since they were not familiar with XP.  As the PC was shutting down, it started to do some updates (63).  At this point we temporarily lost power ( power plug go knocked out) when we powered up again I got the following message:

A disk read error occurred
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart

I have rebooted many times with the same results.
I verified that the hard disk cable was properly connected.
I have checked the BIOS and the hard disk is recognized in the BIOS.
I changed the IDE cable but the problem remains.
I tried swapping the CDs IDE cable with the hard disk cable and the problem remained.
I have tested the hard disk with a Maxtor hard disk diagnostic software (twice) and it PASSED.

I have tried to boot with an XP CD to try to see if I can do a repair, but the PC will not boot off of a windows CD.  I have tried two different CDs with the same result: the screen remains black.

I plan to try another hard disk in this PC but I haven't had time to do it yet.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

"Setup is inspecting your hardware..." appears on screen.  So it can read the CD but nothing else happens.  The screen goes blank and it just remains blank.

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Asked On
2006-12-11 at 11:40:54ID22089568
Tags

read

,

error

,

disk

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
10

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Answers

 

by: yellerPosted on 2006-12-11 at 11:46:34ID: 18117191

I just tried anther hard disk.
I booted with a Windows CD and NOW I can get into Windows Setup.
What can be wrong with the original hard disk, even though it it passed diagnostics (twice)?

 

by: yellerPosted on 2006-12-11 at 12:14:05ID: 18117448

I just tried to change the jumper on the original hard disk.  It was cable select.  I changed it to Master but the problem remains.

 

by: simpswrPosted on 2006-12-11 at 13:44:09ID: 18118327

Disconnecting fromthe power likely messed up your file system . . you can try a repair install, but a full reinstall may be the best solution.

This is a good guide to performing a repair install

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

by: yellerPosted on 2006-12-11 at 16:00:50ID: 18119334

As I mentioned previously, witrh the old hard disk connected I can NOT boot from a Windows CD.  So I can't do a re-install or repair.

 

by: simpswrPosted on 2006-12-11 at 16:05:27ID: 18119352

If you do not get the "Press any key to boot from CD" prompt, and you have another optical drive, try the XP CD in the other drive.

 

by: yellerPosted on 2006-12-11 at 16:09:53ID: 18119397

Ihave tried to boot with an XP CD to try to see if I can do a repair, but the PC will not boot off of a windows CD.  I have tried two different CDs with the same result: the screen remains black.  Additionaly,I know my Windows XP CDs work.

"Setup is inspecting your hardware..." appears on screen.  So it can read the CD but nothing else happens.  The screen goes blank and it just remains blank.

I have also booted this PC using an Ultimate Boot CD and used Maxtor's hard disk diagnostics to verify the hard disk.

So I know the CD player works.

 

by: johnb6767Posted on 2006-12-12 at 07:03:42ID: 18122848

Do you need the data on it?

If not, I would wipe it and start from scratch, as suggested above the FS is most likely corrupted.....

Darik's Boot and Nuke (Hard Drive Disk Wipe)
http://dban.sourceforge.net/

Or, alternatively, Data recovery software...

EasyRecovery™ Professional
http://ontrack.com/easyrecoveryprofessional/
(you can boot to a floppy created in the recovery software...Unfortunately it isnt free, but it can at least see if it could access the files still....)

 

by: yellerPosted on 2006-12-12 at 08:34:43ID: 18123693

I guess I'll try to remove the hard disk and try to see if I can access it from another PC.  If I can, I'll wipe it out and try to re-install Windows once it is back in the original computer.

john6767, thanks for the suggestions.

 

by: johnb6767Posted on 2006-12-12 at 09:26:37ID: 18124089

If you can access it, try running a chkdsk /r on it, to see if it has bad sectors, and maybe it can fix it...

 

by: yellerPosted on 2006-12-12 at 13:06:57ID: 18125942

I installed the hard disk in another PC (slave drive).  I can see the contents.
I am running a chkdsk /r now.
I'll let you know.
Thanks

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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