Vista Will Not Boot "Disk Read Error"

M

Mourf

New Member
This has happened a couple of times due to power outages, but usually I resolved it through the repair disk and selecting a system restore point.

This time is different as now as once the the recovery cd loads there is no Vista OS from which to choose (there is nothing at all here) to begin to work with to try and repair.

Without the recovery cd I just a "disk read error" message and told to hit ctrl+alt+del.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

Make sure Bios is set to boot from DVD.

Three practical options to choose from

If your computer has a restoration partition (restore to factory specs) you could go that route
or
For cost contact your computer supplier and get for cost an install DVD. The cost is about $25
or
You could buy a Windows 7 upgrade DVD for about 150.00

With your computer make and model I can try to help with option one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Thanks Rich - its a Gateway GM5474

I also have an update.

I reseated the cables to the HD as I saw in the BIOS there wasnt one listed. Now, one of three things would happen:

1. BSOD with 0x0000007E
2. The recovery tools cd loads to the scrolling green bar and sit there
3. The recovery tools would load (only happened once) and I got this error message when trying to run System Restore:
System restore failed due to an unspecified error.
Transaction support within the specified file system resource manager is not started or was shutdown due to an error (0x80071A91)

Startup repair returned:
Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically.
Problem details were:
StartupRepairV2
External Media
6.0.6000.16386.0.0.0.0
0
65537unknown
NoOsInstalled
0
1
FixPartitionTable
3
OS Version: 6.0.60000.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

I believe there is a recovery partition (D:).
 

My Computer

System One

Actually, this is good news. With that BSOD, you can send me the dump report, which will tell us a lot
http://www.vistax64.com/crashes-debugging/282419-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html
If you use the recovery partition, you do lose your stuff and all updates

The way to restore Gateways is to hold down the ALT Key and repeatedly hitting f10 then it should bring you to a boot sequence screen then choose the HDD and then hold down ALT and repeatedly hit f10 again that should promt the restore feature for gateway.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
I'm not sure I can as I can't do anything more than whats available to me through the recovery tools.

I booted twice more to see if I could get the BSOD to appear again and it didnt. Here's what did happen:

BOOT #1 (after recovery tools loaded I saw this message automatically)
Windows found problems with your computer's startup options.
(Details provided were)
Repair Details:
Name: (recovered)
Windows Device: Partition=Not found

Then got this error when clicking the apply and restart button:
Failed to save startup options.

BOOT #2 (after recovery tools loaded I saw this message automatically)
Windows found problems with your computer's startup options.
(Details provided were)
Repair Details:
Name: (recovered)
Path: Windows
Windows Device: Partition=D: (10056 MB)

Then got this error when clicking the apply and restart button:
Failed to save startup options.

Should I try to get a CD of WDC's tools to check the drive?
 

My Computer

System One

Yes make the test. Then we will know something about the drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
The quick test said there was a read error and the drive needs to be replaced. I'm running a more thorough scan now.

If I do need to reinstall the OS onto a new hard drive how can I get a CD/DVD with Vista on it? Gateway tells me they no longer offer recovery CDs for this system.

If I have a license for Vista, surely I dont need to pay again for it?
 

My Computer

System One

Drive Test
Test Hard Drive HD Diagnostic or this test Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.

There are several ways to get a Vista install DVD
Call the computer manufacturer and ask for a install DVD at cost (25.00
Call MS and explain to them and ask for a DVD
Borrow a DVD same edition and platform (example Home Premium 32 bit.)

The key number is on your computer. 25 digites and or letters in groups of 5. If your OS came with the computer, it will say OEM somwhere in the numbers and letters.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
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