hard disk drive access indicator light

G

Guest

When I turned off my computer earlier today I noticed that the hard disk
drive access indicator light stayed on. I have tried disconnecting the power
but when I turn off the computer again the light stays on.

I have check my manual which states that I may have lost "allocation units"
and to do a defrag but my computer says it doesnt need one!

Any ideas what is wrong with my machine?

Thanks in advance, Nikki x
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Nikkit72 said:
When I turned off my computer earlier today I noticed that the hard
disk drive access indicator light stayed on. I have tried
disconnecting the power but when I turn off the computer again the
light stays on.

I have check my manual which states that I may have lost
"allocation units" and to do a defrag but my computer says it
doesnt need one!

Any ideas what is wrong with my machine?
Click to expand...

Is the drive actually accessing? Can you hear it?
What if you do not boot into Windows and just into the system BIOS?
 
R

Richard Urban

If you turn off the computer and the hard drive light (not the power light)
stays on, you have hardware or motherboard problems. Take the computer to a
repair center. If it is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer.

If, on the other hand, you put the computer to sleep, the power light may
blink once per second. This is normal.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
D

Dave Patrick

I'd download and run a disk diagnostic utility from the drive manufacturer's
web site.

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| When I turned off my computer earlier today I noticed that the hard disk
| drive access indicator light stayed on. I have tried disconnecting the
power
| but when I turn off the computer again the light stays on.
|
| I have check my manual which states that I may have lost "allocation
units"
| and to do a defrag but my computer says it doesnt need one!
|
| Any ideas what is wrong with my machine?
|
| Thanks in advance, Nikki x
 
R

Rock

Nikkit72 said:
When I turned off my computer earlier today I noticed that the hard disk
drive access indicator light stayed on. I have tried disconnecting the power
but when I turn off the computer again the light stays on.

I have check my manual which states that I may have lost "allocation units"
and to do a defrag but my computer says it doesnt need one!

Any ideas what is wrong with my machine?

Thanks in advance, Nikki x
Click to expand...

Make sure you have a full and complete backup of all important data.
Then start with downloading a drive diagnostic utility from the drive
manufacturer's web site and run that.
 
G

Guest

It isnt the power light and I have turned off the computer it isnt on
standby, thanks for your advice though.
 
G

Guest

It does sound like the drive is accessing something and you can open and
close one of the diek drives, so I know that there is power on in the tower.

Not sure how to start in BIOS mode?
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Nikkit72 said:
It does sound like the drive is accessing something and you can
open and close one of the diek drives, so I know that there is
power on in the tower.

Not sure how to start in BIOS mode?
Click to expand...

It's not a "mode" - but more of a hardware configuration page.
When you turn on your computer, it likely says something like "To Enter
System Setup, Press DEL" or some other key. Do so.
 
D

Dave Patrick

Pop the lid to see the disk manufacturer label.

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
|I cant find one on the E Machines Website, any recommendations of one?
 
R

Rock

Nikkit72 said:
I can't find one on E Machines Website, can you recommend one?

:
Click to expand...

Go the the drive manufacturer's website for their diagnostic. If you
don't know who that is open the case and look.
 
G

Guest

I started my computer in BIOS last night and checked the power settings, I
tired each option and then restarted my machine, nothing helped. I then
restored my pc with the restore disks and this didnt help. Any ideas?
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Nikkit72 said:
When I turned off my computer earlier today I noticed that the hard
disk drive access indicator light stayed on. I have tried
disconnecting the power but when I turn off the computer again the
light stays on.

I have check my manual which states that I may have lost
"allocation units" and to do a defrag but my computer says it
doesnt need one!

Any ideas what is wrong with my machine?
Click to expand...

Shenan said:
Is the drive actually accessing? Can you hear it?
What if you do not boot into Windows and just into the system BIOS?
Click to expand...
It does sound like the drive is accessing something and you can
open and close one of the diek drives, so I know that there is
power on in the tower.

Not sure how to start in BIOS mode?
Click to expand...

Shenan said:
It's not a "mode" - but more of a hardware configuration page.
When you turn on your computer, it likely says something like "To
Enter System Setup, Press DEL" or some other key. Do so.
Click to expand...
I started my computer in BIOS last night and checked the power
settings, I tired each option and then restarted my machine,
nothing helped. I then restored my pc with the restore disks and
this didnt help. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Sorry - I may have been unclear...
Is the drive light *on* when you are sitting in the BIOS?
Or does it go off and only come on once you start booting into Windows?

Also - did you ever open the machine and find out what type of hard drive
they put in the machine?
Western Digital? Maxtor? Hitachi? Fujitsu? IBM? Seagate? Etc..

You may be able to find out from using Belarc Advisor:
http://www.belarc.com/
Download/install/run the advisor and look at the hard drive section.. Find
your manufacturer and go to their web page.. Look for their diagnostic tool
and download it - follow any directions they have for running it - read them
first!
 
G

Guest

Thanks for that, not sure!

I will check tonight, I already have Belarc on my machine so I will have a
look later x
 
G

Guest

I have now checked and I have a Maxtor Hard Drive. I have used their
diagnostic program and everything was scanned and came up clear! Any other
ideas?
 
G

Guest

Thanks Dave I have discovered I have a Maxtor drive, I have run a diagnostic
device and it found no errors, any other ideas?
 
G

Guest

I have a Maxtor drive, I have run a diagnostic and everything came up clear,
any other ideas?
 
B

Bob I

The motherboard may have a problem with the HD activity LED, and there
is no hard drive problem at all.
 
D

Dave Patrick

Bob I probably nailed it. You may have other hardware failure.

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Thanks Dave I have discovered I have a Maxtor drive, I have run a
diagnostic
| device and it found no errors, any other ideas?
 

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