Home > Articles > CompTIA > A+

This chapter is from the book

Troubleshooting Hard Disk Drives

Typical symptoms associated with hard disk drive failures include the following:

  • The front panel indicator lights are visible, and the display is present on the monitor screen, but there is no disk drive action and no bootup.

  • The computer boots up to a system disk in the A drive, but not to the hard drive, indicating that the system files on the hard disk drive (HDD) are missing or have become corrupt.

  • The computer does not boot up when turned on.

  • An IBM-compatible 17xx error code is produced on the display.

  • No motor sounds are produced by the HDD while the computer is running. (In desktop units, the HDD should generally always run when power is applied to the system—however, this does not apply to all desktops or portables when advanced power-saving features are used.)

  • A HDD Controller Failure message appears, indicating a failure to verify hard disk setup by system configuration file error.

  • A C: or D: Fixed Disk Drive error message appears, indicating a hard disk CMOS setup failure.

  • An Invalid Media Type message appears, indicating the controller cannot find a recognizable track/sector pattern on the drive.

  • A No Boot Record Found, a Nonsystem Disk or Disk Error, or an Invalid System Disk message appears, indicating that the system boot files are not located in the root directory of the drive.

  • The video display is active, but the HDD's activity light remains on and no bootup occurs, indicating that the HDD's CMOS configuration information is incorrect.

  • An Out of Disk Space message appears, indicating that the amount of space on the disk is insufficient to carry out the desired operation.

  • A Missing Operating System or a Hard Drive Boot Failure message appears, indicating that the disk's MBR is missing or has become corrupt.

  • A Current Drive No Longer Valid message appears, indicating that the HDD's CMOS configuration information is incorrect or has become corrupt.

HDD Configuration Checks

While booting up the system, observe the BIOS's HDD type information displayed on the monitor. Note the type of HDD that the BIOS recognizes as being installed in the system. Possible error messages associated with HDD configuration problems include the Drive Mismatch Error message and the Invalid Media Type message.

Check the drive to ensure that it is properly terminated. Every drive type requires a termination block somewhere in the interface. For Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) drives, check the Master/Slave jumper setting to ensure it is set properly for the drive's logical position in the system. Remember that there can only be one master drive selection on each IDE channel. If both drives share an interface and are set to the same selection, neither drive should work.

If you have more than one device attached to a single interface cable, be certain that they are of the same type (for example, all are Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics [EIDE] devices or all are ATA100 devices). Mixing IDE device types creates a situation in which the system cannot provide the different types of control information each device needs. The drives are incompatible and you might not be able to access either device.

If the drive is a SCSI drive, check to see that its ID has been set correctly and that the SCSI chain has been terminated correctly. Either of these errors results in the system not being able to see the drive. Check the CMOS setup utility to ensure that SCSI support has been enabled along with large SCSI drive support.

Basic HDD Checks

The first task is to determine how extensive the HDD problem is. Place a clean boot disk or an emergency start disk in the A drive and try to boot the system. Then execute a DIR command to access the C drive. If the system can see the contents of the drive, the boot files have been lost or corrupted, but the architecture of the disk is intact.

Modify the DIR command with an /AH or /AS switch (that is, DIR C: /AH or DIR C: /AS) to look in the root directory for the system files and the COMMAND.COM file. It is common to receive a Disk Boot Failure message onscreen if this type of situation occurs.

In Windows 9x and Windows Me systems, if the clean boot disk has a copy of the FDISK program on it, attempt to restore the drive's MBR (including its partition information) by typing the following:

Providing that the hard disk can be accessed with the DIR command, type and enter the following command at the DOS prompt (with the clean boot disk still in the A drive):

This command copies the IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, and COMMAND.COM system files from the boot disk to the hard disk drive. Turn off the system, remove the boot disk from the A drive, and try to reboot the system from the hard drive.

If the system cannot see the drive after booting from the floppy disk, an Invalid Drive message or an Invalid Drive Specification message should be returned in response to any attempt to access the drive. In Windows 9x systems, use the FDISK utility to partition the drive. Next use the FORMAT /S command to make the disk bootable. Any data that was on the drive is lost in the formatting process, but it was already gone because the system could not see the drive.

The process for checking the hard drive on a Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows XP computer is similar to the one for checking a Windows 9x-based system. In Windows NT and Windows 2000, the partitioning process is performed through the Disk Administrator and Disk Management utilities, respectively. These utilities perform all of the basic functions that the FDISK utility does. For instance, both utilities can be used to partition drives and both show you the basic layout of the system's disks.

These disk utilities can also provide advanced functions associated with enterprise (large-scale, business-oriented) computing systems. The Disk Administrator and Disk Management utilities can be used to create both traditional primary and extended partitions for MS-DOS/Windows 9x systems or for Windows NT and Windows 2000 systems. They can also be used to create volumes (partitions that involve space on multiple physical drives).

The Windows 2000 and Windows XP Disk Management snap-in, depicted in Figure 3.10, is located under the Computer Management console. To access the Disk Management snap-in, click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Administrative Tools. Double-click the Computer Management icon, and then click the Disk Management entry. Because working with volumes is a major administrative task, you must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of a Windows 2000 Administrators group to carry out this procedure.

Figure 3.10Figure 3.10 Windows 2000 Disk Management snap–in.

Formatting Volumes in Windows 2000 and Windows XP

Formatting a partition or volume prepares the logical structure to accept data by creating the file system in it. If a partition or volume has not been formatted, it does not contain a file system and it cannot be accessed through the operating system or any applications. In the Windows 2000 and Windows XP environment, you can perform many actions to initiate formatting, including the following:

  • Use the Volume Creation Wizard in the Disk Management utility when the volume is created.

  • In the Disk Management utility, right-click a volume that has already been created, and then click Format from the shortcut menu.

  • In Windows Explorer, right-click the desired drive letter, and then click Format from the shortcut menu.

  • At a command prompt, type the command Format along with the appropriate switches.

CAUTION

If you format an existing partition or volume, any data residing in the structure is lost. The Windows XP Professional operating system protects its system files by preventing the system and boot partitions from being formatted.

HDD Hardware Checks

If you cannot access the hard disk drive, and its configuration settings are correct, you must troubleshoot the hardware components associated with the hard disk drive. These components include the drive, its signal cable, and the Hard Disk Controller (HDC) on the system board.

Check the HDD signal cable for proper connection at both ends. Exchange the signal cable for a known-good one. Check the Master/Slave jumper settings to ensure they are set correctly. Determine whether the system is using the Cable Select option. This setting enables the system to dynamically assign the master/slave arrangements for multiple IDE drives. Likewise, check the ID configuration settings and terminator installations for SCSI drives.

Although it might seem logical to replace the hard drive unit at this point, it is quite possible that the hard drive might not have any real damage. It might have simply lost track of where it was, and now it cannot find its starting point. In this case, the most attractive option is to reformat the hard disk. This action gives the hard drive a new starting point from which to work. Unfortunately, it also destroys anything that you had stored on the disk.

If the reformatting procedure is not successful, or the system still doesn't boot from the hard drive, replace the hard disk drive unit with a working one.

Pearson IT Certification Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Pearson IT Certification and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Pearson IT Certification products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.pearsonitcertification.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020