it might cause the registry problems, so it can check by either System Recovery or Registry Checker

Microsoft System Information (MSInfo) collects system information, such as devices installed or device drivers loaded, and provides a menu for displaying the associated system topics. Use MSInfo to diagnose computer problems. For example, if you are having display problems, use MSInfo to determine the display adapter installed on the computer and the status of its drivers.

Use MSInfo to track down an error and to learn the appropriate support tool to resolve the problem. For example, if a device is not functioning, MSInfo reports the following when viewing problem devices:

This device has a problem: Code=##

MSInfo also provides links in the Tools menu to other tools used for troubleshooting.


it can be find by this
Click Start, point to Programs, Accessories, and System Tools, and then click System Information.

Good advice from jch0001, but I agree with jhance, your hard drive is failing. Backup now !!!!!
The one thing I have to add is to take the left side cover off of your computer (unplug it first) and check that all the connectors on your hard drive and motherboard are properly seated. Do not push too hard on the motherboard, support it from underneath with your finger. If everything is tight, you can try running scandisk to find errors on your drive. You may be able to revive it for awhile by reformatting it and reloading all your data.
I would not use a drive again that has a bad boot sector though.

After your BACKUP, you can try changing the settings for your harddisk in the bios.
I think you have this choices:
CHS mode
LBA mode
Large mode

try them out, maybe your disk likes one of them.

Also try changing the order on your harddisk, take out all other disk and cd-rom and try the bad disk in all different cables.

nyggen

BACKUP anything that you want to keep.
In a final effort you can try putting your hard drive in the freezer for about an hour. Take it out of the freezer and pop it back into your pc (powered off) once you have everything hooked up again, turn on your pc...this is usually enough to break the heads free.

protechter:
I am fascinated by the the prospect of sub zero temperature effects on mechanical devices. Could you explain your methodology in more detail please? For example; does this technique effect the electrical characteristics of the stepper motor, or is it a physical property of the bearing surfaces involved?

I agree with jhance. Backup your files it is going to die

> If everything is tight, you can try running scandisk.

No!  JHANCE is correct -- the _FIRST_ thing you must do is "backup".

The I/O during SCANDISK could be enough to "finish off" your hard-drive.

> ... you can try changing the settings for your harddisk in the BIOS.

No!  If it's been working correctly with the current settings, then changing them is going to _create_ problems.

Final words: replace under warranty, through your local retailer, or directly from the vendor.

just to stress this again...

DO NOT DO _ANYTHING_ TO THIS DRIVE BEFORE BACKING UP YOUR FILES!!!

I'll just say that again...

DO NOT DO _ANYTHING_ TO THIS DRIVE BEFORE BACKING UP YOUR FILES!!!


There is a distinct possibility that this drive will fail while running scandisk.  Not only that but scandisk is ONLY concerned with fixing FAT filesystem problems.  An "80" error code is a HARDWARE PROBLEM.  I'd recommend against running scandisk here at all.

Most likely there is a fault in the drive electronics or the drive is not spinning up as it should.  This is being reported by your BIOS as an 80 error.  No data has even been read from the drive at this point so it is NOT caused by a bad filesystem or other "soft" problem.

Again....

DO NOT DO _ANYTHING_ TO THIS DRIVE BEFORE BACKING UP YOUR FILES!!!
DO NOT DO _ANYTHING_ TO THIS DRIVE BEFORE BACKING UP YOUR FILES!!!
DO NOT DO _ANYTHING_ TO THIS DRIVE BEFORE BACKING UP YOUR FILES!!!
DO NOT DO _ANYTHING_ TO THIS DRIVE BEFORE BACKING UP YOUR FILES!!!
DO NOT DO _ANYTHING_ TO THIS DRIVE BEFORE BACKING UP YOUR FILES!!!
DO NOT DO _ANYTHING_ TO THIS DRIVE BEFORE BACKING UP YOUR FILES!!!
DO NOT DO _ANYTHING_ TO THIS DRIVE BEFORE BACKING UP YOUR FILES!!!

Oh, and backup your data also...

Don't forget to use:

   REGEDIT /E C:\myreg.bak

to create a "backup" copy of the Windows Registry.

It will contain the serial-number(s) of various packages
which you have installed (e.g., your "customer-number"
assigned by your anti-virus company, and the serial-number
you entered when you installed Windows).

Then, backup 'C:\myreg.bak', too.

genguy - I don't think a stepper motor is involved here since rotary voice-coil actuators have been around since a long time. The freezing concept probably involves the phenomenon of components expanding/contracting by rising/falling temperature... and this at different rates depending on material in question. Some clearances may be bigger at a lower temperature, making sticking things unstick. Of course there may be bearing surface and lubricant properties involved as well. I suppose even the temperature of the air inside can affect the flight of the heads.
Regards
/RID

A backup of the hard drive would be a good idea at any time failures are evident.  I would also suggest pulling the cover and reseating the hard drive cable and making sure you have a good connection.  I have seen similar behaviour where an IDE cable was seated correctly.

Thanks Rid, I hardly think that throwing your hard drive in the freezer for awhile is a great idea. In a last ditch attempt at data recovery I guess it's worth a shot, but I would try swapping circuit boards and other hard parts first. Once bearing surfaces have begun to gall, or there's an internal fault, it's all over. It's not really relevent to this though, as the drive is still somewhat functional. Like everyone has said, backup right now, then play around with it, if you like. For the price of hard drives these days it's not worth the time & effort to attempt a repair. It's alot of fun to rip the cover off of it though and hook it up to see the heads and platters in action (wear some goggles).

There is no problem with your HDD. If you have old system your CMOS battery could fail. So all your BIOS data automatically went default. So did your HDD settings in the BIOS.

The solution: Go to BIOS and load BIOS default. Then  switch HDD settings to AUTO (for both type and mode). If you dont have AUTO option in your BIOS, you need to find out what HDD you have (under 528 MB or over) and also three other vital parameters: Cylinders, heads and sectors-per-track (usually, in very old system that don't support LBA). If your disk is under 528 MB just write these parameters in BIOS. Save and restart.

wasistdas,

Since you're new here, perhaps a tiny bit of slack!

You're completely out of line with your posting.  

Firstly, it's pure speculation and (in my opinion) incorrect.

Secondly, you obviously did not read the Experts Exchange information when you signed up.  Perhaps you should take a few moments out of your answering to read:

https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/cmtyQuestAnswer.jsp

Just met the same problem 5 years ago

Just met the same problem 5 years ago

Wasistdas, you have tied this question and no other Experts had the chance to post a comment.

Please read the Rules and Regulations before pressing the Amswer button.

As you will learn as you get more familure with the site, you'll see Experts with many years at E-E and use the comment button.  The reason for this is to give the person asking the question the benefit of choosing his/her own comment that helped the most.

I am now going to reject your proposed Answer and return this question back to the TA.

Thank you and welcome aboard,

ComTech
Community Support Moderator

This question is now open for all.

ComTech

Hi all,

This question has been open for awhile. I am going to allow feedback from the questioner and experts. If it is not resolved, I will delete or accept an answer based on the info I have been given. Experts, feel free to offer input. I will monitor this question for a period of 5-7 days and come back and evaluate the situation.

If an Expert has helped, please accept with the answer button.

Please do NOT accept this notice as answer.

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ComTech
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jhance nailed the answer ans will receive an A grade for his efforts.

This question will move to PAQ.

Thank you,
ComTech
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