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Disk Read Error Occurred



 
 
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  #16  
Old June 16th 10, 11:44 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
Shaun Paine
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5
Default Disk Read Error Occurred

I believe you have in fact suffered a virus attack, given that the internet
failed then required a reboot, the symptoms you described are signs of a
virus. If you have some one that can mount the drive externally and scan it
for you I would do that first ....
Shaun M Paine
Computech Repair


"Peggy" wrote in message
...
Anna,

I'm sorry for the delayed response - I didn't realize there had been any
additional replies to my post. I would like to attempt this repair
installation but am afraid I'm going to run into problems because the
original OS for this system is Win 2K, and the only Win XP CD I have is
the
upgrade CD. Even if the upgrade CD would work for a repair, it's SP1, and
I
was on SP3. At the time this happened, I was looking at a procedure to
slipstream a SP3 CD. Do you think this will work? It's a little daunting,
but
I hate to give up if the PC is still good.

Thanks for your help,

"Anna" wrote:


"Peggy" wrote in message
...
Peggy wrote:
I have an older Gateway PC running XP Pro SP3. I was working on my
PC
with no
problem, it slowed down (not infrequent occurrence), then I suddenly
couldn't
load a web page at all. Thought I had just lost my internet
connection,
so I
closed everything and restarted. Now I get "A disk read error
occurred.
Press
ctrl-alt-delete to restart." I tried this, but it just goes back to
this
screen every time. I can't boot into safe mode. I can get into the
BIOS, and
that's all.

Is this a HDD failure? I don't have another computer at home to help
with
diagnostics. The hard drive is only a couple of years old and is
mostly
free.
I'm loathe to buy a new drive if I don't have to, as the budget is
stretched.
However, I do need a working PC. Is there a surefire way to know?
Should I
attempt a repair install? Complicating matters, the PC came with Win
2K, so
the only XP disk I have is an upgrade CD.

Thanks for your help.



(Peggy responding to Paul's suggestions)...
Thanks for all your suggestions. Unfortunately it looks like the
problem
is
not with the drive. My husband took it to a shop and they were able to
mount
it in an enclosure and see the list of files, open photos, and the
like.
The
tech said all signs point to a motherboard failure. It isn't the power
supply, and if it also isn't the hard drive, I don't know what else
could
be
wrong. Since a new computer is not on the cards right now, I guess I'm
out
of
luck.

I do appreciate all the time you took and will bookmark your reply for
future reference.



Peggy:
As Paul has suggested it is highly questionable whether motherboard
failure
is at the root of the problem you're experiencing. The fact that you've
been
able to access the BIOS and presumably maneuver among the BIOS settings
tends to indicate motherboard failure is not the problem (although I have
to
be quick to add that it's entirely possible a defective motherboard may
indeed be the problem.)

The "disk read error" message you've rec'd is, unfortunately, the type of
message than can signify a wide range of both software & hardware-related
problems that can prevent a system from properly functioning. Based on
your
experience so far I think it would be wise at this point-in-time to
consider
that the problem may be nothing more than a corrupted OS. Should that be
the
case it's entirely likely that a Repair installation of the XP operating
system (OS) may correct the problem.

I'm going to assume that you have available an XP installation CD that
will
allow you to undertake a Repair installation of the OS.

Undertaking a Repair install of the OS is a relatively straightforward
process. It would be roughly akin to making a fresh install of the OS,
but
in nearly every case your existing programs & user-created data would be
retained. Notice I said "nearly". While it would be a rather rare
situation
where data would be lost or corrupted as a result of the Repair install,
and
as unlikely as it may be, it *could* happen.

So if there are any programs and/or other data on your present drive that
are absolutely crucial to you and you could not tolerate their loss, then
I
would strongly suggest that before undertaking this Repair install
operation
that you first either make a "clone" of your existing HDD (using a disk
imaging program) or, if that's not practical, install the HDD in another
machine as a secondary HDD so that you can pull off whatever data you
want
onto some removable media, e.g., flash drive, CD, etc.

Again, it's a relatively rare event that a loss or corruption of data
will
occur even when the Repair install is unsuccessful, but it *can* happen.
So
I want you to be aware of this.

Here are the step-by-step instructions that can be found at Microsoft's
site
at...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...nostart.mspx#2

(NOTE: Ensure that the boot priority setting in your BIOS indicates a
first
boot to your CD-ROM (optical drive)).

quote
Before performing a repair installation of Windows XP, you should have
both
your Windows XP CD and your product key available.

To perform a repair installation of Windows XP

1. Insert your Windows XP CD into your computer.

2. Restart your computer. If prompted, press a key to start from the
CD-ROM.

3. When the Welcome to Setup page appears, press ENTER on your keyboard.
(DO
NOT PRESS THE "R" KEY)

4. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing
agreement.
Press the PAGE DOWN key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then,
press F8.

5. When prompted, press R to have Windows XP attempt to repair Windows by
reinstalling important Windows components.

The repair and reinstallation process might take more than an hour.
Eventually, Setup prompts you to answer questions just as if you were
installing Windows XP for the first time. For detailed instructions, read
"Install Windows XP" at...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx"
/quote

Also, here are a number of websites that contain detailed step-by-step
instructions for undertaking a Repair install. Let me assure you that
it's
not a difficult process and not terribly time-consuming. As I've
indicated,
it's roughly similar to making a fresh install of the XP OS.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XP...install.htm#RI
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=138
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winx...exfullpage.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;315341

Assuming the Repair install is successful, you should use your A-V
program
to immediately check out your PC for any virus infestation. Also, you
will
need to download/install *all* the MS critical updates since SP3. (I'm
assuming that if you undertake this Repair install of the XP OS, you will
be
doing so with a XP installation CD that contains SP3).

Obviously, even assuming you're able to undertake the Repair install of
the
OS with your XP installation CD, this undertaking may not be successful
for
a variety of reasons, but I think it's a worthwhile step given your
description of the problem.
Anna

.

Ads
  #17  
Old June 16th 10, 11:44 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
Shaun Paine
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5
Default Disk Read Error Occurred

I believe you have in fact suffered a virus attack, given that the internet
failed then required a reboot, the symptoms you described are signs of a
virus. If you have some one that can mount the drive externally and scan it
for you I would do that first ....
Shaun M Paine
Computech Repair


"Peggy" wrote in message
...
Anna,

I'm sorry for the delayed response - I didn't realize there had been any
additional replies to my post. I would like to attempt this repair
installation but am afraid I'm going to run into problems because the
original OS for this system is Win 2K, and the only Win XP CD I have is
the
upgrade CD. Even if the upgrade CD would work for a repair, it's SP1, and
I
was on SP3. At the time this happened, I was looking at a procedure to
slipstream a SP3 CD. Do you think this will work? It's a little daunting,
but
I hate to give up if the PC is still good.

Thanks for your help,

"Anna" wrote:


"Peggy" wrote in message
...
Peggy wrote:
I have an older Gateway PC running XP Pro SP3. I was working on my
PC
with no
problem, it slowed down (not infrequent occurrence), then I suddenly
couldn't
load a web page at all. Thought I had just lost my internet
connection,
so I
closed everything and restarted. Now I get "A disk read error
occurred.
Press
ctrl-alt-delete to restart." I tried this, but it just goes back to
this
screen every time. I can't boot into safe mode. I can get into the
BIOS, and
that's all.

Is this a HDD failure? I don't have another computer at home to help
with
diagnostics. The hard drive is only a couple of years old and is
mostly
free.
I'm loathe to buy a new drive if I don't have to, as the budget is
stretched.
However, I do need a working PC. Is there a surefire way to know?
Should I
attempt a repair install? Complicating matters, the PC came with Win
2K, so
the only XP disk I have is an upgrade CD.

Thanks for your help.



(Peggy responding to Paul's suggestions)...
Thanks for all your suggestions. Unfortunately it looks like the
problem
is
not with the drive. My husband took it to a shop and they were able to
mount
it in an enclosure and see the list of files, open photos, and the
like.
The
tech said all signs point to a motherboard failure. It isn't the power
supply, and if it also isn't the hard drive, I don't know what else
could
be
wrong. Since a new computer is not on the cards right now, I guess I'm
out
of
luck.

I do appreciate all the time you took and will bookmark your reply for
future reference.



Peggy:
As Paul has suggested it is highly questionable whether motherboard
failure
is at the root of the problem you're experiencing. The fact that you've
been
able to access the BIOS and presumably maneuver among the BIOS settings
tends to indicate motherboard failure is not the problem (although I have
to
be quick to add that it's entirely possible a defective motherboard may
indeed be the problem.)

The "disk read error" message you've rec'd is, unfortunately, the type of
message than can signify a wide range of both software & hardware-related
problems that can prevent a system from properly functioning. Based on
your
experience so far I think it would be wise at this point-in-time to
consider
that the problem may be nothing more than a corrupted OS. Should that be
the
case it's entirely likely that a Repair installation of the XP operating
system (OS) may correct the problem.

I'm going to assume that you have available an XP installation CD that
will
allow you to undertake a Repair installation of the OS.

Undertaking a Repair install of the OS is a relatively straightforward
process. It would be roughly akin to making a fresh install of the OS,
but
in nearly every case your existing programs & user-created data would be
retained. Notice I said "nearly". While it would be a rather rare
situation
where data would be lost or corrupted as a result of the Repair install,
and
as unlikely as it may be, it *could* happen.

So if there are any programs and/or other data on your present drive that
are absolutely crucial to you and you could not tolerate their loss, then
I
would strongly suggest that before undertaking this Repair install
operation
that you first either make a "clone" of your existing HDD (using a disk
imaging program) or, if that's not practical, install the HDD in another
machine as a secondary HDD so that you can pull off whatever data you
want
onto some removable media, e.g., flash drive, CD, etc.

Again, it's a relatively rare event that a loss or corruption of data
will
occur even when the Repair install is unsuccessful, but it *can* happen.
So
I want you to be aware of this.

Here are the step-by-step instructions that can be found at Microsoft's
site
at...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...nostart.mspx#2

(NOTE: Ensure that the boot priority setting in your BIOS indicates a
first
boot to your CD-ROM (optical drive)).

quote
Before performing a repair installation of Windows XP, you should have
both
your Windows XP CD and your product key available.

To perform a repair installation of Windows XP

1. Insert your Windows XP CD into your computer.

2. Restart your computer. If prompted, press a key to start from the
CD-ROM.

3. When the Welcome to Setup page appears, press ENTER on your keyboard.
(DO
NOT PRESS THE "R" KEY)

4. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing
agreement.
Press the PAGE DOWN key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then,
press F8.

5. When prompted, press R to have Windows XP attempt to repair Windows by
reinstalling important Windows components.

The repair and reinstallation process might take more than an hour.
Eventually, Setup prompts you to answer questions just as if you were
installing Windows XP for the first time. For detailed instructions, read
"Install Windows XP" at...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx"
/quote

Also, here are a number of websites that contain detailed step-by-step
instructions for undertaking a Repair install. Let me assure you that
it's
not a difficult process and not terribly time-consuming. As I've
indicated,
it's roughly similar to making a fresh install of the XP OS.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XP...install.htm#RI
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=138
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winx...exfullpage.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;315341

Assuming the Repair install is successful, you should use your A-V
program
to immediately check out your PC for any virus infestation. Also, you
will
need to download/install *all* the MS critical updates since SP3. (I'm
assuming that if you undertake this Repair install of the XP OS, you will
be
doing so with a XP installation CD that contains SP3).

Obviously, even assuming you're able to undertake the Repair install of
the
OS with your XP installation CD, this undertaking may not be successful
for
a variety of reasons, but I think it's a worthwhile step given your
description of the problem.
Anna

.

  #18  
Old June 23rd 10, 08:38 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
adrwow[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Disk Read Error Occurred


to confirm if your hard disk is damaged or faulty, try accessing the
hard disk's internal smart logs. all modern hard disk have it.

FREE app that i use is call HD SMART from Aeo3.
http://aeo3.com/apps/hdsmart/index.html

i use it for my department's support work as it's free for commercial
use also.

download and place in the thumbdrive. no install needed. just run from
flash drive and see if there are HEALTH issues.

of course, only if u could actually boot into windows again.

maybe u have bad sectors in some critical windows files.


--
adrwow
------------------------------------------------------------------------
adrwow's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/235851.htm
View this thread: http://forums.techarena.in/xp-hardware/1340504.htm

http://forums.techarena.in

  #19  
Old January 22nd 11, 11:18 AM
rusty_theron11 rusty_theron11 is offline
banned
 
First recorded activity by PCbanter: Jan 2011
Posts: 7
Default

I also face the problem like this but it solved after default load of system bios
  #20  
Old April 26th 11, 07:18 AM
Stephen.joyce77 Stephen.joyce77 is offline
banned
 
First recorded activity by PCbanter: Apr 2011
Posts: 7
Default

Its only due to BIOS problem after updating bios this problem never remain
 




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