Poorly laptop

[taximania]

Any ideas. Toshiba Satellite Pro A60

I was trying to re-install windows on my laptop because it had a grumbling stomach. The instalation started, then it just switched off.

My C: drive has disappeared and my DVD drive exists, but I can't access it. I think it died during the re-install of windows.

Sorted my C: drive but no Dvd drive.
If I boot from a rescue floppy, it sees the Dvd drive but I get "Abort, Retry, Fail"

Is it possible the motors in the drive have failed, that's why I can see it but not access it ?
Should I buy another drive or might I be wasting my money ?

 

[bdiscount]

since its a laptop you should have a recovery cd/dvd have you tried that? its quite costly to replace a hard drive in a laptop, is it new enough to warrant the cost.

 

[taximania]

I have the recovery Dvd, but can't access it.

Laptop is 2 year old.
I have located a replacement drive for £40 GBP
But unsure whether to buy it in case the computer is faulty not the drive.

 

[RandomCoder]

Have you considered a USB drive?? Can you borrow one from a friend?? I know that some of them are generic and don't need any drivers to work so it's worth a shot and would save you £40.

Regards,
RandomCoder.

 

[taximania]

Sorry, :sign0013: I missed a bit.
I've got this thread on 3 different forums :sign0161:

I sorted the C: drive by booting from a rescue floppy and formatting c:
I had to make C: the Primary partition before I could format it.
My system now has no Windows on it, just a Win98 C: prompt
My rescue floppy finds drive E: (dvd) but won't let me access it.
Therefore it also won't let me access my DVD Recovery Disk.

I considered using another PC to transfer the recovery DVD to the USB 5gig flash memory device I own. But my basic dos machine won't find the USB device will it ?

I've gone by instinct and ordered a new DVD drive

I'll keep you informed ....

 

[RandomCoder]

Good luck my friend, computers are fickle things. I wish you all the best.

Regards,
RandomCoder

 

[Cableguy]

the flash could work, it depends on the BIOS, if it boots to mass storage or not...Anyway from your comments about the HD, I would go with a MoBo issue or processor....Good Luck, I think you'll need it!!

 

[bdiscount]

laptop

There is a bios setup where you should be able to set your dvd as the boot disk enabling the recovery. good luck

 

[bdiscount]

ps

you should be able to get into the bios aetup when turn on (del, f8 or what ever they say on screen.

 

[taximania]

There is a bios setup where you should be able to set your dvd as the boot disk enabling the recovery. good luck

It doesn't matter what sequence I set in the BIOS

finds drive E: (dvd) but won't let me access it.

I should have another drive by Tuesday/Wednesday. Let's hope it was the drive that was faulty :sign0137:

 

[taximania]

I was right. My CD/DVD drive had died. Got a new ish one off Ebay and I'm back up and running on the big screen laptop

Also got a bargain. My old CD/DVD drive was a slow CD/DVD-RW,
The one I bought was an exact model number but the seller has sent me a faster Multi Recorder CD/DVD - + RW

Bargain Hope he doesn't ask for it back.

Saved me £25 quid.

 

[Cableguy]

Great deal...

Glad to ear about your laptop....A quick go to the white coat alway makes us feel better.

 

[taximania]

A quick go to the white coat alway makes us feel better.

I have no idea what that means at all

But yes, I'm happy i've got my laptop back, and a better DVD drive :sign0060:

 

[Cableguy]

white coat->Doctoe/technitian ( its a Portuguese expression )

 

[RandomCoder]

I too have done my PC, what a difference a fresh install of XP makes and with McAfee gone it flies.
Only problem I had was that I was missing one of the drivers, all the system could tell me was that it was an 'unknown device'. After trying every driver and its cousins cousin I finally found it was the 'Intel Quick Resume' driver - what a waste of time!
Oh well, all up and running and looking good.

Regards,
RandomCoder

 

[taximania]

My first job was to de-install Norton.
Toshiba must have a deal with them.
AVG 7.5 Free installed now.

Shields up reports ..... 100% stealth mode.

Link to shields up.
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2