fr_cassidy
asked on
Hard Drive not recognised and unable to reinstall windows
Hi All,
Was working on a Dell Dimension 8400 PC which had some sort of virus which made the PC so slow it was unusable. Couldn't even run a virus scan and it kept freezing after 10 or 15 mins.
Anyway what I did was use Killdisk to format the entire Hard Drive and the plan was to install windows xp again from the cd provided by dell. Anyway the problem was that i think I formatted too much of the Hard Drive as there were 5 partitions on the HD by default most of the small, I formatted the 146 GB partition where windows was located and then proceeded to do the rest.
Now when I put in the cd I get an error saying
"Loading PBR for descriptor 2....done."
"Bad PBR"
I think I have deleted some information of the fisrt partition which is required. I had done this operation before without problems n thought doing this would be the best way to solve the problem.
Anyway I am hoping that someone may be able to tell me the extent of the problem and what the solution would be to get windows back up and running.
I had a cd for windows 2000 with I tried to use but shortly after beginning, I got a message saying that a Hard drive was not installed and seup had to quit.
I only have 500 points but I'm offering all of them in the hope that i can get a quick and efficient solution to this problem. (if i had more I'd gladly give them all for a soluition to this)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Was working on a Dell Dimension 8400 PC which had some sort of virus which made the PC so slow it was unusable. Couldn't even run a virus scan and it kept freezing after 10 or 15 mins.
Anyway what I did was use Killdisk to format the entire Hard Drive and the plan was to install windows xp again from the cd provided by dell. Anyway the problem was that i think I formatted too much of the Hard Drive as there were 5 partitions on the HD by default most of the small, I formatted the 146 GB partition where windows was located and then proceeded to do the rest.
Now when I put in the cd I get an error saying
"Loading PBR for descriptor 2....done."
"Bad PBR"
I think I have deleted some information of the fisrt partition which is required. I had done this operation before without problems n thought doing this would be the best way to solve the problem.
Anyway I am hoping that someone may be able to tell me the extent of the problem and what the solution would be to get windows back up and running.
I had a cd for windows 2000 with I tried to use but shortly after beginning, I got a message saying that a Hard drive was not installed and seup had to quit.
I only have 500 points but I'm offering all of them in the hope that i can get a quick and efficient solution to this problem. (if i had more I'd gladly give them all for a soluition to this)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Try this: Boot to your Windows installation disk. The first option screen you see will be to go the Recovery Console or to install Windows. Choose the Recovery Console option by pressing "R". Once at the recovery Console you can run the command: fixmbr. This should overwrite the boot record and solve your problem.
Well, I have no idea what those 5 partitions were. Typically, Dells come with 2 partitions; aside from the main one, there is also a restore partition.
Sounds like the best idea here would be to completely obliterate the partition map of the drive. Some viruses can hang out even after a format. Now, I've never used KillDisk before, so I can't vouch for its thoroughness. But when I want to scrub a hard drive clean, I use Knoppix to do the job. Knoppix is a Linux distro that boots entirely from CD or DVD and does not require a hard drive be installed in the system. Really, however, you could use any Linux "Live" CD to do this.
Anyway, boot into Linux and issue the following command (as root) from a console prompt:
badblocks -svw -b 512 -t 0x00 /dev/hda
This will zero out the entire drive, partitions and all. Note, this could take more than an hour depending on how big the drive is. If you are only interested in scrubbing the partition table, issue the following command:
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda bs=512 count=2048
That command will only zero out the partition tables and master boot records. It only takes a few seconds to do, but will not completely zero the drive. Use it if you don't have the time to wait for the badblocks command to finish. When it's done, take the CD out of the drive and reboot with your reinstall CD. Your hard drive will now be completely free of any viral debris that may have still been on it.
This procedure is the equivalent of dropping a nuclear bomb -- nothing will survive. Once you pop in your XP CD, it will see only a completely blank hard drive.
NOTE: If this is a SATA drive, be prepared to do an F6 with a driver floppy during the setup process. XP does not have native SATA drivers. Also, when you create the partition, do a quick format on it. It isn't necessary to do a long format, since you just wiped the drive, and since a long format doesn't actually erase anything anyway.
Sounds like the best idea here would be to completely obliterate the partition map of the drive. Some viruses can hang out even after a format. Now, I've never used KillDisk before, so I can't vouch for its thoroughness. But when I want to scrub a hard drive clean, I use Knoppix to do the job. Knoppix is a Linux distro that boots entirely from CD or DVD and does not require a hard drive be installed in the system. Really, however, you could use any Linux "Live" CD to do this.
Anyway, boot into Linux and issue the following command (as root) from a console prompt:
badblocks -svw -b 512 -t 0x00 /dev/hda
This will zero out the entire drive, partitions and all. Note, this could take more than an hour depending on how big the drive is. If you are only interested in scrubbing the partition table, issue the following command:
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda bs=512 count=2048
That command will only zero out the partition tables and master boot records. It only takes a few seconds to do, but will not completely zero the drive. Use it if you don't have the time to wait for the badblocks command to finish. When it's done, take the CD out of the drive and reboot with your reinstall CD. Your hard drive will now be completely free of any viral debris that may have still been on it.
This procedure is the equivalent of dropping a nuclear bomb -- nothing will survive. Once you pop in your XP CD, it will see only a completely blank hard drive.
NOTE: If this is a SATA drive, be prepared to do an F6 with a driver floppy during the setup process. XP does not have native SATA drivers. Also, when you create the partition, do a quick format on it. It isn't necessary to do a long format, since you just wiped the drive, and since a long format doesn't actually erase anything anyway.
ASKER
Thanks for the 2 responses so far.
I haven't tried either of them yet. In the case of the first answear when I put the reovoery disk in I and press 'r', it tells me that no HD can be found installed on the computer and I have to exit the setup. I don't have any option to enter the command 'fixmbr'
For the 2nd response, I believe that the free version of killdisk (which I used) only blanks every 5th bit on the HD or something like that, so it doesnt do a complete job. I have experience with knoppix and would try your suggestion, but the message I revcieve saying that an installed HD cannot be found is making me think that perhaps the problem may still exist after re formatting.
Is there something in the BIOS that directs everything to this first partition on Dell computers. If the drive is reformnatted again, then I may well get the same error regarding the HD not being installed/recognised. Do you have any ideas what the reason for this is. I havent done anything else other than format the HD with killdisk.
The drive is a SATA drive I believe and I dont know anything about them. I didnt understand what you meant about the F6.
Thanks
I haven't tried either of them yet. In the case of the first answear when I put the reovoery disk in I and press 'r', it tells me that no HD can be found installed on the computer and I have to exit the setup. I don't have any option to enter the command 'fixmbr'
For the 2nd response, I believe that the free version of killdisk (which I used) only blanks every 5th bit on the HD or something like that, so it doesnt do a complete job. I have experience with knoppix and would try your suggestion, but the message I revcieve saying that an installed HD cannot be found is making me think that perhaps the problem may still exist after re formatting.
Is there something in the BIOS that directs everything to this first partition on Dell computers. If the drive is reformnatted again, then I may well get the same error regarding the HD not being installed/recognised. Do you have any ideas what the reason for this is. I havent done anything else other than format the HD with killdisk.
The drive is a SATA drive I believe and I dont know anything about them. I didnt understand what you meant about the F6.
Thanks
ASKER
I jut booted up into Knoppix and my hard drive isnt showing on the desktop like I thought it used to. It seems like its not being recognised. Does any one have any ideas as to how this could have happened?
Thanks
Thanks
Is the Disk recognized in the BIOS?
first, check in the bios if the disk show<s as it should.
then check the sata settigns, and set them as desired; also boot order, etc.
Some motherboards require a driver to be loaded in order to be able to access the sata disks; this is done by hitting the F6 key in the first part of the XP install; it should be located on a floppy
here some info on installing XP - you can also contact them in an online chat from that page :
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/reinstall/reinstall_center?~ck=ln&c=us&l=en&lnki=0&nav=true&s=gen
then check the sata settigns, and set them as desired; also boot order, etc.
Some motherboards require a driver to be loaded in order to be able to access the sata disks; this is done by hitting the F6 key in the first part of the XP install; it should be located on a floppy
here some info on installing XP - you can also contact them in an online chat from that page :
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/reinstall/reinstall_center?~ck=ln&c=us&l=en&lnki=0&nav=true&s=gen
As long as the drive is recognized by your BIOS, Knoppix will see the drive just fine. KillDisk has probably thrashed it to where it can't be mounted anymore, which is to be expected. Only mountable volumes will show up on the desktop in Knoppix, which get read from the fstab file. The lack of an icon doesn't mean it can't see the physical device, however. You've probably got a SATA hard drive. That would explain why XP's installer can't see it.
Try this. From the command line in Knoppix, try fdisk /hda. It will give you an error if no drive is detected. A SATA drive may get some other assignment, such as /dev/hdc, /dev/hde, or even /dev/sda, so try those too.
Try this. From the command line in Knoppix, try fdisk /hda. It will give you an error if no drive is detected. A SATA drive may get some other assignment, such as /dev/hdc, /dev/hde, or even /dev/sda, so try those too.
ASKER
I tired running the commands suggected in knoppix in the last post, but got an error saying I didnt have permission.
I dont understand anyway how mounting the drive in knoppix would help to install xp back on the HD.
Yes i believe its a sata drive.
I think the disk is recognised in the BIOS as when I press F12 at power up I can see it listed with the correct size and and some other details, however it doesn't show upo in knoppix.
I really need to get this problem fixed by satuday morning as I have to leave for a few months and don't want to leave it in the mess its in as others need the PC functioning.
I'd really appreciate any more suggestions.
I was playing around in the system settings (pressing F12) and I can see the HD and alter some setting. I dont recall what they were but I'll have a look again and post them here. I dont know if it will makem a difference, perhaps it was best to leave them on the default settings.
Thanks for any advise.
I dont understand anyway how mounting the drive in knoppix would help to install xp back on the HD.
Yes i believe its a sata drive.
I think the disk is recognised in the BIOS as when I press F12 at power up I can see it listed with the correct size and and some other details, however it doesn't show upo in knoppix.
I really need to get this problem fixed by satuday morning as I have to leave for a few months and don't want to leave it in the mess its in as others need the PC functioning.
I'd really appreciate any more suggestions.
I was playing around in the system settings (pressing F12) and I can see the HD and alter some setting. I dont recall what they were but I'll have a look again and post them here. I dont know if it will makem a difference, perhaps it was best to leave them on the default settings.
Thanks for any advise.
If the disk is seen within the BIOS, use it's manufacturer's utility to test it. You'll find these on the UBCD:
http://ultimatebootcd.com
http://ultimatebootcd.com
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ASKER
Hi again, thanks for the latest responses. I think im on the right road now.
At the moment I am looking for the sata drivers, but perhaps if someone knows exactly where they are and which one's to download then they could let me know. Anyway I'll continue googling for the time being but if someone is can save me the time then well and good.
I have a floppy drive ( hasn't been used in the 2 yrs we've had the PC!) but hopefully it will justify its existance tonight.
Anyway let me know if anyone has any more tips or ideas.
Many thanks.
At the moment I am looking for the sata drivers, but perhaps if someone knows exactly where they are and which one's to download then they could let me know. Anyway I'll continue googling for the time being but if someone is can save me the time then well and good.
I have a floppy drive ( hasn't been used in the 2 yrs we've had the PC!) but hopefully it will justify its existance tonight.
Anyway let me know if anyone has any more tips or ideas.
Many thanks.
ASKER
ARe the stat drivers all the same or do I have to download a specific driver for my HD. I dont know the model of my HD can I check this somewhere in the BOIS?
Thanks
Thanks
First you should test the disk using the utilities. When at the Post process the system says something about "PBR", the system is trying to boot from the LAN interface. This means it can't see the disk or at least not properly (if the boot sequence is set right). Also, SATA drivers are usually not required for motherboards with SATA onboard. Normally you can set the BIOS for IDE emulation mode or something similar, in which case the standard IDE drivers provided by Windows can be used. Drivers are required if you have a raid setup, but I doubt you do.
Rindi is right. Most mobos have an option in the BIOS to set SATA to native or emulated mode, but the terminology used among computer BIOSes is inconsistent. Some call it Enhanced/Compatible mode, others call it Native/Legacy, etc. If your BIOS has this option, try setting it and seeing what happens. My guess is, however, that since this is a heavily modded OEM BIOS from Dell, I doubt it lets you get that specific about those kinds of settings.
Also, SATA drivers are for the controller, not the drive. It's the same as it is for IDE. We don't really think about IDE "drivers" anymore because IDE has been with us for the last 20 years, which is an eternity in the world of computers. Therefore, you never have to think about them. But they are in there! Anyway, as long as the SATA controller driver is installed, it will see any SATA device you plug into it.
Here's one thing that concerns me, though. You said that you haven't used the floppy drive in the 2+ years that you've owned it. Is the computer 2+ years old, or is it just your floppy drive that is old? I ask because if the computer is that old, it probably doesn't have a SATA hard drive, which means something else is wrong if XP can't see it.
If you have a USB floppy drive, just be aware that the drive must be plugged into the USB port BEFORE you turn the computer on so the BIOS will see it as drive A:. XP's setup program will only look in the A: drive for it.
Also, SATA drivers are for the controller, not the drive. It's the same as it is for IDE. We don't really think about IDE "drivers" anymore because IDE has been with us for the last 20 years, which is an eternity in the world of computers. Therefore, you never have to think about them. But they are in there! Anyway, as long as the SATA controller driver is installed, it will see any SATA device you plug into it.
Here's one thing that concerns me, though. You said that you haven't used the floppy drive in the 2+ years that you've owned it. Is the computer 2+ years old, or is it just your floppy drive that is old? I ask because if the computer is that old, it probably doesn't have a SATA hard drive, which means something else is wrong if XP can't see it.
If you have a USB floppy drive, just be aware that the drive must be plugged into the USB port BEFORE you turn the computer on so the BIOS will see it as drive A:. XP's setup program will only look in the A: drive for it.
ASKER
Thanks rindi but im afriad I dont understand what you mean about about IDE emulatin mode. Could you elaborate a little on this.
If I want to download the sata drivers drivers, do I download them by motherboard or by HDD type. I managed to get the drive ID from the system settings and did a google for it. I can find the drive listed but I cant find any sata drivers. Do I need to get the type of motherboard? and how would I get this information?
I saw a website which explains the procedure (http://cruftbox.com/blog/archives/000867.html) but it assumes you have the drivers. Can anyone lead me to where I could get the drivers to put on a floppy.
Many thanks
If I want to download the sata drivers drivers, do I download them by motherboard or by HDD type. I managed to get the drive ID from the system settings and did a google for it. I can find the drive listed but I cant find any sata drivers. Do I need to get the type of motherboard? and how would I get this information?
I saw a website which explains the procedure (http://cruftbox.com/blog/archives/000867.html) but it assumes you have the drivers. Can anyone lead me to where I could get the drivers to put on a floppy.
Many thanks
ASKER
Thanks cuziyq for your response.
The computer is a little under 2 years old. We bought it off dell in the section where you can build you own PC, I added it in at the time in case any situations like this had arrived.
I certain that there is a sata drive. I opened the case up to have a look and I didnt see the IDe cable that I was more familiar with.
When you say the controller, do you mean the motherboard?
Do you have any idea where I could find the drivers for this and how I could get the model?
Thanks
The computer is a little under 2 years old. We bought it off dell in the section where you can build you own PC, I added it in at the time in case any situations like this had arrived.
I certain that there is a sata drive. I opened the case up to have a look and I didnt see the IDe cable that I was more familiar with.
When you say the controller, do you mean the motherboard?
Do you have any idea where I could find the drivers for this and how I could get the model?
Thanks
ASKER
There is a section in the system settings where I can alter the sata operation:
It gives me 4 options:
RAID Autodetect / AHCI, RAI Autodetect/ATA, RAID On, Combination.
Its on the RAID Autodetect / AHCI by default. Im not sure what these mean.
Maybe its nothing but I just thought Id post it hear and it may be useful
It gives me 4 options:
RAID Autodetect / AHCI, RAI Autodetect/ATA, RAID On, Combination.
Its on the RAID Autodetect / AHCI by default. Im not sure what these mean.
Maybe its nothing but I just thought Id post it hear and it may be useful
SOLUTION
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You are totally right, Dell does not have any mention of a SATA driver on its web site for that machine, except for the matrix storage manager, which is a RAID app for after you get XP installed! What a croc.
I did a little research for you. Turns out that machine uses a custom built and rebranded Intel motherboard. You can download the drivers directly from Intel's web site at the following URL
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/confirm.aspx?httpDown=http://downloadmirror.intel.com/10611/eng/f6flpy32_57.zip&agr=&ProductID=2115&DwnldId=10611&strOSs=&OSFullName=&lang=eng
That utility will even make the floppy disk for you! All you gotta do is put that bad boy into the drive, hit F6 when the prompt comes up, and insert the disk when asked.
I did a little research for you. Turns out that machine uses a custom built and rebranded Intel motherboard. You can download the drivers directly from Intel's web site at the following URL
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/confirm.aspx?httpDown=http://downloadmirror.intel.com/10611/eng/f6flpy32_57.zip&agr=&ProductID=2115&DwnldId=10611&strOSs=&OSFullName=&lang=eng
That utility will even make the floppy disk for you! All you gotta do is put that bad boy into the drive, hit F6 when the prompt comes up, and insert the disk when asked.
ASKER
Hi again guys. Good news...Problem solved. Thank you both SO much for all your help and suggestions. You both got me out of a real mess today.
If either of you 2 want to come for a holiday to Ireland, let me know, you can stay at my place for free..I owe you one!!
Just a quick summary of what I have done for the next person who falls victim to this:
I was unable to mount the drive in knoppix after formatting with killdisk to do a more thourough format.
I made do with the killdisk format and tracked down a driver for the sata drive on the dell website by entering the service tag.
I was able to download the driver, execute the program and stick it onto a floppy.
I then turned on the PC with the XP cd inside and pressed F6 when prompted.
The drivers for the sata drive were installed at which point the computer could recognise the hard drive and XP was installed without any further problem.
I hope this thread can be of use to others who have a similar problem.
Thank you to all.
If either of you 2 want to come for a holiday to Ireland, let me know, you can stay at my place for free..I owe you one!!
Just a quick summary of what I have done for the next person who falls victim to this:
I was unable to mount the drive in knoppix after formatting with killdisk to do a more thourough format.
I made do with the killdisk format and tracked down a driver for the sata drive on the dell website by entering the service tag.
I was able to download the driver, execute the program and stick it onto a floppy.
I then turned on the PC with the XP cd inside and pressed F6 when prompted.
The drivers for the sata drive were installed at which point the computer could recognise the hard drive and XP was installed without any further problem.
I hope this thread can be of use to others who have a similar problem.
Thank you to all.
ASKER
Hi rindi and cuziyq,
Thank you both so much for your help on this issue. I am so grateful to both of you for the time you have spent helping me. I only hope I can return the favour some day.
Thank you
Thank you both so much for your help on this issue. I am so grateful to both of you for the time you have spent helping me. I only hope I can return the favour some day.
Thank you
your welcome