Trying to reboot after hard disc crash. Help please.

Mike UK

Honorable
Oct 13, 2013
2
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10,510
Hi, I inadvertently pulled the power on my parents' PC as it was shutting down. It now won't reboot (just goes to the Windows start up screen then hangs) and when I run a Dell systems check it signifies a hard disc fault.

I am hoping that it just has a hard disc error rather than a complete hard disc failure.

I have tried starting Windows from last working configuration; Safe mode and Safe mode with DOS prompt to no avail. The latter brings up a screen of text (sorry I don't have the details with me) but no sign of the prompt, so I can't try running chkdisc etc.. Typing CLS to clear the screen does nothing.

I have tried rebooting off a Windows XP CD and using Recovery mode (both by going straight to recovery mode by typing 'R' and also going to Windows install then typing 'R') but the system hangs as soon as it starts looking at the drive.

I've also tried booting off an Hirem's Boot CD but then get a message that the CD drive is not accessible, which seems very strange as it works with the Windows CD..

Any suggestions, please?
 

Mike UK

Honorable
Oct 13, 2013
2
0
10,510
Got it working! Not quite sure what cured the problem. FYI, burnt another copy of Hiren's Boot CD using Burn to CD rather than Windows Explorer, which loaded ok. Tried loading Mini XP Windows, which came up with blank desktop. Ran 'Quick check' from Western Digital disc test accessory, which came up with no errors. Tried Mini XP Windows again, which loaded correctly. Ran 'Windows Disc Check' which came up with no errors. Following these steps, successfully booted off hard disc using Windows 'normal mode'.