Solving Hard Drive Problems

Table 7-3Solving Hard Drive Problems

Hard drive error occurs.

Cause

Solution

 

 

Hard disk has bad sectors or has failed.

1. In Windows 8, on the Start screen type e, and then select

 

File Explorer from the list of applications. In the left

 

column, expand Computer, right-click on a drive, select

 

Properties, and then select the Tools tab. Under Error

 

checking click Check.

 

2. Use a utility to locate and block usage of bad sectors. If

 

necessary, reformat the hard disk.

 

 

Disk transaction problem.

 

 

 

Cause

Solution

 

 

Either the directory structure is bad or there is a problem with a

In Windows 8, on the Start screen type e, and then click File

file.

Explorer from the list of applications. In the left column, expand

 

Computer, right-click on a drive, select Properties, and then

 

select the Tools tab. Under Error checking click Check.

 

 

Drive not found (identified).

 

 

 

Cause

Solution

 

 

Cable could be loose.

Check cable connections.

 

 

The system may not have automatically recognized a newly

See reconfiguration directions in the Solving Hardware

installed device.

Installation Problems on page 81 section. If the system still

 

does not recognize the new device, check to see if the device is

 

listed within Computer Setup. If it is listed, the probable cause is a

 

driver problem. If it is not listed, the probable cause is a hardware

 

problem.

 

If this is a newly installed drive, run the Computer Setup utility

 

and try adding a POST delay under Advanced > Power-On

 

Options.

 

 

The device is attached to a SATA port that has been hidden in

Run the Computer Setup utility and ensure Device Available is

Computer Setup.

selected for the device's SATA port in Security > Device Security.

 

 

Drive responds slowly immediately after power-up.

Run Computer Setup and increase the POST Delay in Advanced >

 

Power-On Options.

 

 

Nonsystem disk/NTLDR missing message.

 

 

 

Cause

Solution

 

 

The system is trying to start from the hard drive but the hard

▲ Perform Drive Protection System (DPS) testing in system

drive may have been damaged.

ROM.

 

 

System files missing or not properly installed.

1. Insert bootable media and restart the computer.

Solving Hard Drive Problems 69