MnGCA

jaywc7 · Geocacher Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 360

Ok. So I turn on my computer. It thinks really hard, including some odd clicking from the hard drive's general direction. A few windows open telling me that something didn't start up properly. If I try to open files, it says that Windows encountered and error and needs to shut down. I did send an error report to microsoft and followed instruction, which changed nothing. Some programs like a game or something will open and run properly. Files contatining photos and such will not what so ever. Internet runs and works perfectly.

I'm guessing this is a hard drive problem. Most likely a physical one that I would guess is a result of my computer useage in my vehicle and other various abuse.

If anyone knows what is going on, what I can do, how I can check it, what any options are, or where I might go to have it looked at, please feel free to let me know. I would surely appreciate any help I can get.

Thanks!

KC0GRN · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Posts: 1424

buy a new hard drive and transfer all the data off the old one ASAP if you have stuff you don't want to lose. Sounds to me like yours is in it's death stage. If the files are unreadable they might be more of a pain to recover, especially if there is physical damage to the disk platter.

If it's not that kind of damage, there are a few tricks to get the drive to work long enough to get the stuff off it.

15Tango · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 2:34 am Post subject:

I'll second KC0GRN--I had the same thing happen to my old lap-top as well. Since I only know only enough about computers to be dangerous , I took mine to MicroCenter in St. Louis Park--I actually got to sit in the back room with the tech guy as he put what he could from the old hard drive onto a DVD-ROM. My wife used to be an Assistive Technology Specialist with PACER, and worked with a few people who are quite knowledgable about computers, and they all recommend MicroCenter over Best Buy or any other computer places.
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There comes a time in every young boy's life when he gets an irresistible urge to seek buried treasure.--Mark Twain

Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

The clicking is the sign of it going downhill. Drives don't generally "die" immediately anymore. They start clicking and running slower. It gives you time to do the backups and get everything transferred.

Good luck.
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Sad state of affairs.

towlebooth · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:48 am Post subject:

Pear Head · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:43 am Post subject:

The good news is that there is a magnet inside that is excellent for a magnetic cache! (Always an upside)

Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

Buzzygirl · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:56 pm Post subject:

I recommend is General Nano Systems on University Avenue in Mpls., near the U of M campus. They know their stuff, and their prices are reasonable.

towlebooth · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 8:24 am Post subject:

jaywc7 · Geocacher Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 360

Thanks everyone! I went to Micro Center, got a new hard drive, had my friend install it, transfered my files fine and it's working good. My only frustration, is that I have to reload all of my dang programs, some of which I've misplaced the CD's to! Grrrrrrrrrr!!! I don't have my Streets and Trips CD's, but am looking frantically since I will surely want it for the drive back to Phoenix in two weeks... It's like loosing your wallet : Once you cancel the cards and buy a new wallet, you still have the agonizing pain of replacing everything that was in it (if you can even remember what all you had)... Rolling Eyes

Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

Discussion about S&T 2006 has been split off and moved here: http://www.mngca.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1871
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Sad state of affairs.