Dead hard disk?? Clunk then disappear.. Please help!

sam112 · 09-16-2007, 08:37 AM

Hi, I am completely new to this forum and dont know much about computers

I was just using my desktop when i heard my hard drive clunk loudly, then a few seconds later it did it again.. Then my pc froze, so I hit the reboot button on the front, everything started up fine, perfect, but looking in windows explorer to check it and it was gone! I have 2 hard drives in my pc, this one basically stored all of my precious photos and documents!!

I had no backup, stupid i know.. The files on that hard drive are irreplaceable.

This is what happened in the minutes before the disaster.. I downloaded a file and went to run it and AVG scans it as it always does and it was a virus. Could that have been it?

I have had massive problems with this pc for the last few months where the first time I start it for the day it will completely crash and reboot. I could turn it on and off 10 times after that and not have a problem until the first time the next day. I have had computer fix it guys come out and have a look at it and all they can say is that it is a hardware problem, but no one has been able to fix it. Would it have been the virus or a faulty drive?

Regardless of what caused the crash, I desperately need the files from it as they are irreplaceable.. Is this possible?

ANY help would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, I believe the HD is a 300gig Western Digital.

Kind Regards,
Samantha.

sam112 · 09-17-2007, 02:25 AM

someone please help..

i dont understand some of the stuff said in the other topic similar to mine and it happened differently...

Please help..

sam.

LPDad · 09-17-2007, 01:00 PM

See my answer to your question in your other thread.

Once you replace your harddrive you might be able to plug the "problem" drive into the second drive positon and possible get the info off of it...provided you did not have a catastrophic failure of the drive...the loud CLUNK was not an encouraging sign.

In any case once you replace your bad drive you will need to reinstall your operating system (Windows xp ??)

You did not supply any info as to the type of computer you have (brand name).
If your computer came with a RESTORE DISK..you will most probably not be able to load an operating system from it. You will need a complete Windows XP Cd...not a Restore disc.

The good news is that once you install the new operating system you will be starting from scratch with a nice new virus free system. This might solve your bootup problem.

If it does not, the the problem might lie with your powersupply or Dust collected in your computer. In any case open your computer up and use some Air-in-a Can to really clean out the ENTIRE insides of your computer. Especially clean the powersupply, and the big heatsink that cools your processor. Just Clean out any and all dust you find inside your computer. This will make your computer very happy.

-Kim

the hunter · 09-19-2007, 07:19 AM

Hi there stranger.

LPDad · 09-19-2007, 10:02 AM

Hello Hunter!!

It has been a long time...too long.
LOL..Life got in the way..err...my kids (and work) got in the way..Soccer Dad, Baseball Dad, Head honcho at work, etc, etc.

I will have to make sure I drop by more often.

You have Sam112 to thank for bringing me back....Out of the blue I get a message from PCTT saying that she tried to send me a message, but my mailbox was full...Naturally I had to check it out...and try to help--old habits die hard.

I am amazed that this thread popped up when Sam112 Googled it.

the hunter · 09-19-2007, 09:58 PM

It sure has been a long time, and my own life has been keeping me busy, and not online much these days.

LPDad · 09-19-2007, 10:25 PM

I sure know what your mean.

Who are the Admins around here nowdays???
(obviously I am not one of them anymore...at least they let me kept my title..for now..LOL)

the hunter · 09-20-2007, 07:31 AM

Im not even sure who is running the show around here any more. What show there is I mean.

Lion7718 · 09-20-2007, 10:21 AM

Hey LPDad...hows it going.....

LPDad · 09-21-2007, 11:05 AM

Hi big L.
Been awhile. Hope you and you family are Well!!

Lion7718 · 09-21-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LPDad

Hi big L.
Been awhile. Hope you and you family are Well!!

Well...I am...been married & divorced in the time you've been gone

09-16-2007, 08:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
sam112 SAM112 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia!! :) Posts: 6	Dead hard disk?? Clunk then disappear.. Please help! Hi, I am completely new to this forum and dont know much about computers I was just using my desktop when i heard my hard drive clunk loudly, then a few seconds later it did it again.. Then my pc froze, so I hit the reboot button on the front, everything started up fine, perfect, but looking in windows explorer to check it and it was gone! I have 2 hard drives in my pc, this one basically stored all of my precious photos and documents!! I had no backup, stupid i know.. The files on that hard drive are irreplaceable. This is what happened in the minutes before the disaster.. I downloaded a file and went to run it and AVG scans it as it always does and it was a virus. Could that have been it? I have had massive problems with this pc for the last few months where the first time I start it for the day it will completely crash and reboot. I could turn it on and off 10 times after that and not have a problem until the first time the next day. I have had computer fix it guys come out and have a look at it and all they can say is that it is a hardware problem, but no one has been able to fix it. Would it have been the virus or a faulty drive? Regardless of what caused the crash, I desperately need the files from it as they are irreplaceable.. Is this possible? ANY help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, I believe the HD is a 300gig Western Digital. Kind Regards, Samantha.

09-17-2007, 01:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
LPDad Admin & "Fixer" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 2,293	See my answer to your question in your other thread. Once you replace your harddrive you might be able to plug the "problem" drive into the second drive positon and possible get the info off of it...provided you did not have a catastrophic failure of the drive...the loud CLUNK was not an encouraging sign. In any case once you replace your bad drive you will need to reinstall your operating system (Windows xp ??) You did not supply any info as to the type of computer you have (brand name). If your computer came with a RESTORE DISK..you will most probably not be able to load an operating system from it. You will need a complete Windows XP Cd...not a Restore disc. The good news is that once you install the new operating system you will be starting from scratch with a nice new virus free system. This might solve your bootup problem. If it does not, the the problem might lie with your powersupply or Dust collected in your computer. In any case open your computer up and use some Air-in-a Can to really clean out the ENTIRE insides of your computer. Especially clean the powersupply, and the big heatsink that cools your processor. Just Clean out any and all dust you find inside your computer. This will make your computer very happy. -Kim __________________ We don't need no stink'n TechSupport We ARE TechSupport. *LPDad* Administrator

09-19-2007, 10:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
LPDad Admin & "Fixer" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 2,293	Hello Hunter!! It has been a long time...too long. LOL..Life got in the way..err...my kids (and work) got in the way..Soccer Dad, Baseball Dad, Head honcho at work, etc, etc. I will have to make sure I drop by more often. You have Sam112 to thank for bringing me back....Out of the blue I get a message from PCTT saying that she tried to send me a message, but my mailbox was full...Naturally I had to check it out...and try to help--old habits die hard. I am amazed that this thread popped up when Sam112 Googled it. __________________ We don't need no stink'n TechSupport We ARE TechSupport. *LPDad* Administrator

09-19-2007, 10:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
LPDad Admin & "Fixer" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 2,293	I sure know what your mean. Who are the Admins around here nowdays??? (obviously I am not one of them anymore...at least they let me kept my title..for now..LOL) __________________ We don't need no stink'n TechSupport We ARE TechSupport. *LPDad* Administrator

09-20-2007, 10:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
Lion7718 Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 2,317	Hey LPDad...hows it going..... __________________ "Protect me from my friends, I can take care of my enemies" You better not be touching my mannequin

09-17-2007, 02:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
sam112 SAM112 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia!! :) Posts: 6	someone please help.. i dont understand some of the stuff said in the other topic similar to mine and it happened differently... Please help.. sam.

09-19-2007, 07:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
the hunter getting hitched Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: canada Posts: 2,655	Hi there stranger.

09-19-2007, 09:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
the hunter getting hitched Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: canada Posts: 2,655	It sure has been a long time, and my own life has been keeping me busy, and not online much these days.

09-20-2007, 07:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
the hunter getting hitched Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: canada Posts: 2,655	Im not even sure who is running the show around here any more. What show there is I mean.

09-21-2007, 11:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
LPDad Admin & "Fixer" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 2,293	Hi big L. Been awhile. Hope you and you family are Well!! __________________ We don't need no stink'n TechSupport We ARE TechSupport. *LPDad* Administrator

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode