Disk Read Error

Kornowski

Kornowski

VIP Member
Hey,

My sis just started getting a 'Disk Read Error' every time she tries to boot her laptop up... Ctrl Alt Delete restart just repeats the process...

Do I need to do a repair install of XP?

Thanks!
 
Disk read error Oh I had this problem It is too do with windows just do a clean reinstall first format the partition following a clean installation.
 
well i had problems with my old laptop doing the same thing, i presumed that either i got a bunch of bad sectors or my boot up files got corrupt.....

i done a fresh install-thing is if you have a xp disk cant you not boot off the disk and choose repair instead of install os???
 
Well, since this is a laptop, I cannot suggest using an Emergency Boot Disk(System Disk).
So this appears before the operating system is loaded into memory, right?
I'm assuming that the hard drive has been corrupted. I suggest a complete reformat/adding an external hard drive.
 
I'll try doing a Repair Install and see if that helps, Other than that, I guess a Clean Install would be in order.

Yeah, it's before the OS has loaded...

Thanks for the help!
 
If she has a floppy disk or flash drive inserted, she'll get that message. Double check that before you do a repair.
 
I don't think it has a floppy drive, I just checked to see if there was a USB Stick in there, but there wasn't, thanks, Mike!
 
Use the XP cd to boot into the recovery console and run chkdsk /r before you go reinstalling stuff, it might catch a problem with the disk.
 
I haven't tried safe mode... At the moment nor mine or my sis' PC will work :mad:

Cromewell, We've used the disc before and its worked fine. But I'll give it a go, thanks.
 
Ah right.

Actually... I just tried reformatting and it won't do it, well, it goes to format the drive before you put Windows on, and it's been at 0% for like 2 hours, so I'm guessing the HDD is dead, right?
 
Kornowski said:
Ah right.

Actually... I just tried reformatting and it won't do it, well, it goes to format the drive before you put Windows on, and it's been at 0% for like 2 hours, so I'm guessing the HDD is dead, right?
Click to expand...

if the hard drive is dead XP won't be able to even start the setup, it will tell you that no hard drive could be found or some similar thing.
Cromewell mentioned chkdsk if that does not work then the drive is wearing out.
I once had that case, windows detects the drive but it cannot be access.
Try formatting externally
 
I tried a Quick Format, and that got to 20% and then said, it couldn't be done, Hard Disk could be damaged, so, I'm guessing it's dead :cool:
 
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