Computer problem, any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Quiet_Storm]

First I would like to say that I don't know much about computers at all so please try not to use too much computer lingos because I'll be completely lost.

I have an old computer that crapped out on me. I was burning a music CD and all of a sudden it just shuts off on me and when I went to turn it on, it said "Disk Boot failure: Insert system disk and press enter" or something like that. I tried to unplug it and replug it back in then turn it on but same thing keeps happening. Problem is, I do not have the system disk that came with the computer when I bought it nor do I know where it is.

It's a very old computer and I would just like to retrieve the files that I have on there because I never backed any of the files in case something like this happens. I have a lot of personal pictures of families and friends along with pictures and videos of events that I've raced at and would really like to retrieve them and load it onto a new computer when I get around to buying one.

Am I screwed or is there still hope for me to get back these files? I asked my friend who knows a little bit about computers and he said I can just link mine up to another computer and retrieve the files but I have no clue how to do that and he was very vague in explaining the process. How do I hook it up, what's involved, etc.? I would love to be able to fix it but if not it's fine because it's pretty old (AMD 1600+). Most important is for me to retrieve the files so I can load it to the new computer.

Thank you for any advice and help you guys can provide. Sorry for the very long post!

 

[the Interceptor]

It may well be that your hdd just gave up, in which case your data would be lost (unless you'd have a recovery made by a company, which is pretty steep). It may also be, if you're lucky, that there simply is a connection problem between ypur hdd and the power supply. This has happened to me before more than once, and can be addressed by simply opening the case, pulling the power supply cable out of the hdd and then plugging it in again. Alternatively, you can use another one (there should be some unoccupied ones hanging around).

Here's a picture of what your hdd and the cables look like. What you need to do is pull the one of the right (which says "P3" in this picture) out and plug it in again. Make sure that the computer is not running at the time (important!). If that won't work, try another of those cables. Your power supply offers a bunch, one or two should be free. And don't forget to pay attention to the alignment of the plug, it has two chamfered edges.

Regards
the Interceptor

P.S.: what I said is no must, there are other things that could be the problem. This is worth a try though...

 

[DustDriver]

This could have multiple causes.
It could be a fault with your cd burner, the harddisk or the cables connecting them to your motherboard.
The problem could also be in your bios, or in the boot.ini file on your harddisk.
All have different solutions.
But you could also mess up more if you start making changes to any of these.
(sorry for any computer lingo you don't know about)
The smartest thing to do is get someone to look at it who knows more about pc's
It's much quicker to locate the problem if the pc is in front of you.

edit: you can follow interceptor's solution, but also unplug the power cord, not only shut down the pc.

 

[Quiet_Storm]

Thanks for your help, guys! I really appreciate it. I'll try what you guys suggested and see if that will solve my problem. Could you guys show me how I would go about hooking the none functioning computer to another one so I can do a remote transfer of the files? Is it possible to do with my computer not booting fully but just turned on? Thanks again for the help!

 

[the Interceptor]

I'm afraid that won't help you, as you will have no access to the files on your fauly computer. A file transfer, which way it may ever take, will only work if your file system is running properly. As long as it doesn't, you won't be able to do any transfers. So I'm afraid you won't have any other choice then to find out what's wrong with your system.

 

[SolidSnake15]

I'm only a teenager so excuse me if this won't work:

If you know which system you are running (Windows98 for example) you could get a disk that contains that system information (a Windows98 disk) pop it in, and try. In my opinion computers should come with the exact disc used in the factory to install the system in case this happens.

 

[GrumpEone]

First I would like to say that I don't know much about computers at all so please try not to use too much computer lingos because I'll be completely lost.

I have an old computer that crapped out on me. I was burning a music CD and all of a sudden it just shuts off on me and when I went to turn it on, it said "Disk Boot failure: Insert system disk and press enter" or something like that. I tried to unplug it and replug it back in then turn it on but same thing keeps happening. Problem is, I do not have the system disk that came with the computer when I bought it nor do I know where it is.

It's a very old computer and I would just like to retrieve the files that I have on there because I never backed any of the files in case something like this happens. I have a lot of personal pictures of families and friends along with pictures and videos of events that I've raced at and would really like to retrieve them and load it onto a new computer when I get around to buying one.

Am I screwed or is there still hope for me to get back these files? I asked my friend who knows a little bit about computers and he said I can just link mine up to another computer and retrieve the files but I have no clue how to do that and he was very vague in explaining the process. How do I hook it up, what's involved, etc.? I would love to be able to fix it but if not it's fine because it's pretty old (AMD 1600+). Most important is for me to retrieve the files so I can load it to the new computer.

Thank you for any advice and help you guys can provide. Sorry for the very long post!

My best guess would be either a BIOS issue or a HDD issue. first try something as simple as flashing the BIOS, either by the jumper or by unplugging/ removing the battery (should be about the size of a US Nickel).

Keep the battery removed for about a minute, with the computer off! Then put it back in and try to boot up.

The other issue could be a bad boot sector on the HDD, then to retrieve the data, plug it into another computer's ribbon (IDE) cable and see if the other computer can recognize it, there may be a chance that you could get all your data even with a bad boot sector. Now if the file system has been corrupted your SOL!!

Good Luck, lemme know if you need more help, are more detailed help.

 

[Quiet_Storm]

Thanks a lot Interceptor, DustDriver, SolidSnake and GrumpEone for the help! One question before I open up my computer. Is there a capacitor located in the computer somewhere that I should watch out for so I don't shock the heck out of myself? I'll try those things you guys have suggested tomorrow and see if any of it will solve my problem. Thanks again for taking your time out to explain things. I really appreciate it!👍



SolidSnake - I would really like to try that but the only problem is I don't know where my system disk is because I bought this computer a few years ago and have no clue where it could be. With my luck, I probably accidentally threw it out without even knowing it. Also, it doesn't matter if you're a teenager or not. I've met a lot of really smart teenagers that I've learned quite a few things from.

 

[GrumpEone]

One question before I open up my computer. Is there a capacitor located in the computer somewhere that I should watch out for so I don't shock the heck out of myself?

1st off, never press the blinking RED button, jk

When you open your case, make sure it is unplugged and touch the metal case holding the power supply; that is grounded away from the motherboard and will discharge any static electricity that you have in your body. Besides that, you shouldn't have any issues with getting a sizeable poke (unless you plan to recreationally tear apart your power supply).

Also, don't be afraid of tearing apart your computer, EVER. It's not Rocket Surgery.

 

[Quiet_Storm]

I tried what you guys suggested and it still doesn't work. The only thing for me to do now is try to find a system disk and see if it'll load up. Thanks a lot for all your help and replies, guys. I really appreciate it. Oh yeah, after taking the computer apart (kind of), I think I'm going to tear it completely apart because it all looks very interesting. Kind of like taking an engine apart and rebuilding it, which I've done a couple of times. Maybe I'll build myself a gaming computer too when I start getting all the parts and what they do down. Thanks again!

 

[wfooshee]

System disk won't help, either. All it will get you to is an installation menu. You might be able to get to a "recovery console" by hitting the right key at the right time while it boots, but in all honesty, that won't get you very far, either.

From what you describe, your hard disk is toast. The best thing to try is to install it as a second disk in a working machine and see if you can access it that way. That will require setting the jumpers correctly for master/slave and connecting it to the correct cable in the other machine. From your description of your Mad Skillz, you'll need help with this. (That's not a criticism - I'd MUCH rather help someone who says he doesn't understand, than try to help someone who refuses to admit they don't know and wastes my time pretending to understand.)

If the hard disk won't spin up, there is nothing you can do aside from a very expensive recovery service. You send them the drive, they disassemble it and recover the data onto a set of CDs or DVDs they then send you. A business might be able to justify spending $2000 to recover lost payroll files, but not many people can spend that to recover pictures and stuff, no matter how much they want to.

Another tool that a geek friend of yours might have, or be able to make for you, is something like the Ultimate Boot CD. This is a bootable CD that boots Windows in a setup mode, establishes a RAMdisk and starts a desktop and gives you access to whatever drives it finds in the system. Best use of this tool is to boot a system that won't boot itself for whatever reason, virus, broken boot sector, etc.

 

[GrumpEone]

I tried what you guys suggested and it still doesn't work. The only thing for me to do now is try to find a system disk and see if it'll load up. Thanks a lot for all your help and replies, guys. I really appreciate it. Oh yeah, after taking the computer apart (kind of), I think I'm going to tear it completely apart because it all looks very interesting. Kind of like taking an engine apart and rebuilding it, which I've done a couple of times. Maybe I'll build myself a gaming computer too when I start getting all the parts and what they do down. Thanks again!

What OS is on your HDD??? Plus, all details of your system, and I may be able to help you recover your lost files.

 

[SolidSnake15]

1st off, never press the blinking RED button, jk

When you open your case, make sure it is unplugged and touch the metal case holding the power supply; that is grounded away from the motherboard and will discharge any static electricity that you have in your body. Besides that, you shouldn't have any issues with getting a sizeable poke (unless you plan to recreationally tear apart your power supply).

Also, don't be afraid of tearing apart your computer, EVER. It's not Rocket Surgery.

Rocket Surgery? I didn't know rockets needed medical attention.

With all seriousness there are capacitors all over the inside. Touching a single one will be an incredibly painful experience.

 

[SolidSnake15]

System disk won't help, either. All it will get you to is an installation menu. You might be able to get to a "recovery console" by hitting the right key at the right time while it boots, but in all honesty, that won't get you very far, either.

From what you describe, your hard disk is toast. The best thing to try is to install it as a second disk in a working machine and see if you can access it that way. That will require setting the jumpers correctly for master/slave and connecting it to the correct cable in the other machine. From your description of your Mad Skillz, you'll need help with this. (That's not a criticism - I'd MUCH rather help someone who says he doesn't understand, than try to help someone who refuses to admit they don't know and wastes my time pretending to understand.)

If the hard disk won't spin up, there is nothing you can do aside from a very expensive recovery service. You send them the drive, they disassemble it and recover the data onto a set of CDs or DVDs they then send you. A business might be able to justify spending $2000 to recover lost payroll files, but not many people can spend that to recover pictures and stuff, no matter how much they want to.

Another tool that a geek friend of yours might have, or be able to make for you, is something like the Ultimate Boot CD. This is a bootable CD that boots Windows in a setup mode, establishes a RAMdisk and starts a desktop and gives you access to whatever drives it finds in the system. Best use of this tool is to boot a system that won't boot itself for whatever reason, virus, broken boot sector, etc.

I just learned a good deal about computers. Thanks bud!👍

 

[GrumpEone]

Rocket Surgery? I didn't know rockets needed medical attention.

With all seriousness there are capacitors all over the inside. Touching a single one will be an incredibly painful experience.

The only capacitors that would do any real damage/ pain, are the one's in-cased in the power supply. The rest of the capacitors on a 'normal' computer dischrage within minutes of powering down the system. Even if they were fully-charged, the capacitors lack the physical size and power demand, to pack much of punch.

Now if the system was powered on, you could experience a slight jolt; computers are very efficient and do not require HIGH VOLTAGE.

But if you took apart your Tube-Monitor it would be a different story, there are tons of capacitors and a Picture Tube, that would hold enough charge to knock you on your butt!!!

 

[Azuremen]

Rocket Surgery? I didn't know rockets needed medical attention.

With all seriousness there are capacitors all over the inside. Touching a single one will be an incredibly painful experience.

Haha.. thats funny.

No, it wouldn't be painful. Those capacitors are tiny. The ones in a CRT monitor are a different story...

Working on the inside of a computer is nothing special, you can touch stuff, drop things, et cetera. They are quite a bit more durable than alot of people tend to think.

And yes, I've only been doing this for 13 years, so I have no idea, honest

On the issue at hand, just pull the HDD and plug it into the IDE cable on another computer, and make sure the jumper is on "Cable Select" probably. Actually, wfooshee has the right idea.

 

[VT]

As long as you don't take apart the power supply within like 5 minutes of turning your computer off you're not gonna get shocked or jolted or electrocuted or anything like that.

To me, it sounds as though you somehow managed to corrupt your OS while you were burning that CD. Take the HDD out and go over to a friends house and hook it up (or hook it up to another computer you have lying around). You're going to want the jumper on either cable select or slave because there will likely be a master already attached to the IDE ribbon. Boot up that computer and you should be able to recover all the files you want from that drive. If the second computer does not recognize your HDD then in all likelihood your drive is dead and you'll probably start to back up your files from now on.

Or you could do like I do and use one drive for OS and one drive for personal; that will alleviate most of the problems with losing any of your data if your OS corrupts again.

NOTE: I still back up my data.

Working on the inside of a computer is nothing special, you can touch stuff, drop things, et cetera. They are quite a bit more durable than alot of people tend to think.

Yeah .. Unless you bend a pin on the processor you can't really do anything terribly bad other than putting a magnet on your HDD or anything like that. I've actually given a laptop a shower (powered off .. duh) and had it still work without taking it apart or anything like that. All I did was dry the power connector and let it drain the water out from inside and give it some time to dry a little.