Gateway Laptop HD Question

[Jim]

I'm attempting to troubleshoot a friends Gateway model 7422GX laptop:

On bootup no operating system found because no HD is found!!!

I've slid out the HD, looked it over and then plugged it back in. Never seen
a HD fail in such a way that the system says it's not there.

Suggestions please, do I just tell my friend to buy another HD or is it
possible something else is wrong?

TIA

 

[nass]

I'm attempting to troubleshoot a friends Gateway model 7422GX laptop:

On bootup no operating system found because no HD is found!!!

I've slid out the HD, looked it over and then plugged it back in. Never seen
a HD fail in such a way that the system says it's not there.

Suggestions please, do I just tell my friend to buy another HD or is it
possible something else is wrong?

TIA

Open the case and check the power and data Ribbon cables connections and
make sure all fitted firmly in their Sockets. Change the cables to a new ones
known to be working if that doesnt work. If changing cables doesnt work try
the HDD in a different PC . Try to Run the Diagnostic tool on the HDD and
test the health of the HDD from Gateway website below (copy and past the link
in your browser if it's not active):
GWSCAN 5.12 is a diagnostic hard drive utility
http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/getFile.asp?id=21280&dscr=GWSCAN 5.12&uid=209370867
Part Number: GWSCAN512GWSCAN 5.12 GWSCAN 5.12 is a diagnostic hard drive
utility
http://search.support.gateway.com/i...2+is+a+diagnostic+hard+drive+utility&x=18&y=4

If that don't work its dead!

Get a bootable floppy/CD with ptedit and boot from it and run the SFC command:
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/tools/pq/utilities/ptedit.zip

HTH,
nass

 

[Jim]

Many thanks, will give it a try.

Jim

Open the case and check the power and data Ribbon cables connections and
make sure all fitted firmly in their Sockets. Change the cables to a new
ones
known to be working if that doesnt work. If changing cables doesnt work
try
the HDD in a different PC . Try to Run the Diagnostic tool on the HDD and
test the health of the HDD from Gateway website below (copy and past the
link
in your browser if it's not active):
GWSCAN 5.12 is a diagnostic hard drive utility
http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/getFile.asp?id=21280&dscr=GWSCAN 5.12&uid=209370867
Part Number: GWSCAN512GWSCAN 5.12 GWSCAN 5.12 is a diagnostic hard drive
utility
http://search.support.gateway.com/i...2+is+a+diagnostic+hard+drive+utility&x=18&y=4

If that don't work its dead!

Get a bootable floppy/CD with ptedit and boot from it and run the SFC
command:
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/tools/pq/utilities/ptedit.zip

HTH,
nass

 

[David B.]

You apparently didn't notice this was a laptop

 

[David B.]

It is not uncommon for a drive to go bad and not be detected, either test it
in another laptop or replace it with a known good drive.

 

[nass]

LOL,
Shouod say another Laptop but links for Diagnostic tools for laptop model
are correct.
Thanks Dave.
nass
--
http://www.nasstec.co.uk

You apparently didn't notice this was a laptop

 

[David B.]

Just might be a bit hard for the OP to open 'er up and swap cables

--

----
Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Help Us Help You http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

LOL,
Shouod say another Laptop but links for Diagnostic tools for laptop model
are correct.
Thanks Dave.
nass

 

[nass]

Oops... You got me on this one Shot 0
Specially if he gone out to buy a new one lol

 

[Jim]

I was able to swap this HD into another laptop and it would not boot. I'm
sure now the drive is shot.

Thanks all.

Jim

 

[Twayne]

Open the case and check the power and data Ribbon cables connections
and
make sure all fitted firmly in their Sockets. Change the cables to a
new ones known to be working if that doesnt work. If changing cables
doesnt work try the HDD in a different PC . Try to Run the Diagnostic
tool on the HDD and test the health of the HDD from Gateway website
below (copy and past the link in your browser if it's not active):
GWSCAN 5.12 is a diagnostic hard drive utility
http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/getFile.asp?id=21280&dscr=GWSCAN 5.12&uid=209370867
Part Number: GWSCAN512GWSCAN 5.12 GWSCAN 5.12 is a diagnostic hard
drive utility
http://search.support.gateway.com/i...2+is+a+diagnostic+hard+drive+utility&x=18&y=4

If that don't work its dead!

Get a bootable floppy/CD with ptedit and boot from it and run the SFC
command:
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/tools/pq/utilities/ptedit.zip

HTH,
nass

Nass, I'm generally 100% behind your responses, but shouldn't you warn
that taking a laptop case apart can be, uhhh, precarious and is pretty
difficult without experience or at least a manual?

Also, shouldn't you check first to see if the CMOS sees the drive?
Maybe it glitches and removed it, MBR got borked, etc. etc.?

Twayne

 

[nass]

Nass, I'm generally 100% behind your responses, but shouldn't you warn
that taking a laptop case apart can be, uhhh, precarious and is pretty
difficult without experience or at least a manual?

Also, shouldn't you check first to see if the CMOS sees the drive?
Maybe it glitches and removed it, MBR got borked, etc. etc.?

Twayne

Hi Twayne,
Yes you are correct that the OP should warrned about the defficulties in
this procedure but since I been carried away from the main subject that we
are dealing with Laptop I troubleshooted on PC ;-)

Jim sent his feedback about how he resolved the issue by downloading the
right driver for the sound card and he hooked the HDD to another machine.
Here his reply to the NG
http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...a2a-9d2b-5dc71973d43c&lang=en&cr=US&sloc=&p=1
Thanks Jim and Twayne.
Regards,
nass