RS wrote:
> TechGuyatwork wrote:
>> Most modren COMPAQ computers have in the BIOS an IDE self test.
>>
>> this can work as most hard drives today have S.M.A.R.T built into it and
>> MTBF can be found out.
>>
>>
>> run the test.
>
> I did run the test and got a Status of #1-05 Fail.
>
> Not sure exactly what this means as in 17 years of owning computers,
> I've
> never once had a hard drive fail -- even after develping software.
> The machine is
> about 18 months old now, so I don't think there is a warranty. I
> would suggest anyone who gets these blue screens of death early on to
> not just think that they'll go away.
> Return the machine immediately if you can't fix any driver conflicts.
> Don't sleep
> on it.
>
> I'm still not sure if the data is toast on it because I am not that
> far into the
> technical side of it. What are my chances of the hard drive getting
> it's act
> back together?
Since you got a status of Fail, this means your hard drive has physical
errors. If you haven't had a failed hard drive in "17 years of owning
computers" you have been lucky. It is not an uncommon occurrence and it
doesn't matter whether the drive is new or not. You will need to replace
the drive.
As for the data on it, there is no chance of "the hard drive getting its
act back together". It cannot heal itself. ;-) Replace the drive,
reinstall Windows with your Compaq reinstallation media, restore data
from backups. If you didn't backup, you might be able to get data off it
by slaving it in a working machine. You'll need either a laptop drive
adapter or a usb drive enclosure. If the drive won't stay up long enough
to do that, then you'll need to send the drive to a professional data
recovery company such as Drive Savers. If the data is crucial, don't
even mess around with trying to get the data off yourself because every
time you spin up the drive you take the chance of destroying data. Drive
Savers (
http://www.drivesavers.com) are not inexpensive; prices start at
around $500usd and go up from there. Only you can determine the value of
your data.
After you get everything straightened out, create and use a good backup
strategy for the future because Stuff Happens.
Good luck,
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User