Question for techsperts. Went to bed last night. Left computer on.
The main drive of the computer has a Windows 7 Operating System.
I have 2 drives in the system the other is a smaller drive from the last computer I just access for previous info via explorer.
Anywho. I woke up this morning with big Windows XP Screensaver going right across my screen!
What The Fungus!?
I finally logged into administrator via my now ‘XP system’, and found that through explorer I WAS able to see & access the drive I was operating with Windows 7.
I fiddled a bit in Bios, and noted that the Windows 7 drive was no longer my primary. I then opened the computer & physically unplugged the spare partitioned drive.
How do I get the win 7 [ST3500418AS] back as primary? I cannot find any way to do this via BIOS *Insert Hysterically Crying Face here*
Puter Screen of Fungus!
Miss Lou Acquiring Lore 
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All I know about fixing computers is turning them off and waiting. But this website has a place where you can ask a question about your problem. Perhaps it will help.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7?sort=lastreplydate&dir=desc&tab=threads&status=all&mod=&modAge=&advFil=&postedAfter=&postedBefore=&threadType=all&tm=1460716136610
Thanks Joseph! That’s a great resource. I’ll save it under Google and be sure to take advantage the next time I have an issue.
In this case, I discovered it is a hard drive issue and have taken it to the tecchies to work out 🙂
Wish me luck!
ML
There’s usually a section in the BIOS for “boot order” and you should be able to use the plus and minus keys (usually) to set the primary boot drive.
If you’re worried that your Win7 drive has issues you could try running chkdsk and/or sfc /scannow or /verifyonly on it.
Good luck 🙂
Thanks for the comment 🙂
Through some troubleshooting I’ve discovered it is the Hard Drive that is the problem.
I’ve taken it to the Data retrieval people and am hoping it’ll be sorted quickly.
ML
I hope you soon manage to get things fixed.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Me too David! Wonderful to hear from you BTW 🙂
I took it to a data retrieval specialist & I am hoping it is quick!
*Hugs*
ML
On the bios screen you have there is an option for boot devices. Change which drive is in the first slot. Usually you have to press the minus or plus key to move them up and down.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Yes, already across all of that :). Through some troubleshooting and the process of elimination I established it’s the drive itself that is the problem.
Issues with the Boot Sequence and quite possibly a drying drive.
Thanks again.
ML
You’re welcome. I do repairs for a living while I’m finishing up my degree. So I see that problem daily. Just trying to help.
Thanks again! I imagine the repairs on the side has you seeing all sorts of interesting problems.. Have you experienced any that are impossible to identify yet?
I just got a call from the Data People, they said my drive is fine, no issues, BUT the Windows 7 is corrupt for whatever reason AND my Disk reader had died which is why it was not allowing me to boot from the DVDR drive.
Goodness! All of that, I can fix myself, so thankfully it only cost me $75. – and whatever it costs to go and get a new internal 2TB seagate drive.
If someone really wants your identity it’s hard to stop. Metal wallets for your cards. Change passwords on accounts regularly. And for the love of God, don’t ever believe a phone call from Microsoft or any company. They don’t call you.
Glad you have enough savvy to do the work yourself. Good luck
A agreed with Dan’s comment above. There is something wrong with primary drive that now it is not bootable even though some part appears to be good. This could be a damage to boot partition. However, there should be a BIOS option to specify which is the primary boot drive.
Yes, after some trouble shooting, I established it was in fact the Drive. At the very least, the boot sequence, however, I suspect the drive itself is on it’s way out.
That is generally the case. If drive has some troubling booting up. I think it would be good you start looking for a new one. You can try to clone it before it dies then it should be easy to get everything back.
Yes! I tried to get the data off yesterday and had some trouble so I dropped it off at the data retrieval people to help.
I would check to see what options are under the ‘Boot’ menu of the BIOS screen. If both drives can be seen, there should be a way to designate one as the primary. If the boot sector on the Win7 drive is damaged, you may have a larger problem, but at least, it appears, you will be able to recover your files. Good luck!
Thanks Dan. The BIOS screen was no help when it came to this drive. Well actually it kind of was, because it helped me recognise it was the drive at fault.
When I put the Windows 7 drive in to boot first, I got the error ‘BOOTMGR missing’ So at the very least, I know there is a fault with the boot sequence. I tried to switch boot over to DVDR and insert my Windows 7 Premium disk so I could do a boot repair.
No Dice.
I dropped the drive into the Data Retrieval yesterday and at $100 an hour, I’m hoping it’s quick.
I wish you luck!
Ty!!
I will say this, hard drives (the non solid state kind) are the number one thing to fail on a computer, it is why several tech sites recommend a backup. So, yeah, it might be the hard drive is dead or it could be other things. I agree with ddigman and you’ll have to have a tech look at it to be sure.
Yeah, after some trouble shooting, I am inclined to agree. It does appear the Hard Drive is the problem. I’ve taken it to a data retrieval specialist (at a cost of $100 per hour). Hoping it’s quick!
You have my condolences, Miss Lou!
There are a number of reasons why this may have occurred.
One option does involve your Master Drive having died, but it could also be a problem with its connection to your motherboard.
Unfortunately, there is no way of telling which is which online.
I am sorry to say that you will need to take your PC to a technician.
I hope you have been backing up your files!
I have not, but I can still access my primary drive by going via XP. BUT what a pain in the bum. Connection with mother board.. Can I switch the cords?
Or are the cords I need to switch the bunch of like 6 different colours?
*grumbles*
bleh
It sounds more like a software issue if you can still access the Master.
Is your PC a desktop or a laptop?
If it is a desktop, is it a tower (tall and narrow), a base design (wide and flat) or integrated (the computer is inside the ‘screen’)?
If it is a laptop or an integrated desktop, you will not be able to do this yourself, but if it is a tower or base desktop, you should be able to open it up to see whether anything inside is loose.
Firstly, turn your PC off and follow the instructions in this link to ground your PC and so avoid frying its innards with static electricity:
http://www.wikihow.com/Ground-Yourself-to-Avoid-Destroying-a-Computer-with-Electrostatic-Discharge
You will need a Phillips head screwdriver (‘star-shaped’) to open the case. Your hard drives should appear as small boxes attached by connectors to your motherboard.
Ensuring you and the PC are both grounded (as per the link above) check for any loose connections. Ensuring you are grounded, push the drive’s connector into its socket, then close up the PC and boot it up to see if it works.
If there are no loose connections, then it could still be a hardware issue, but then it is more likely to be software related.
Good luck!
Yup, already been in and explored (Do most of my own basic internal stuff) I eliminated causes one at a time by changing Cords etc.
The fault lies with the Drive itself – I discovered after removing it & trying it in another computer.
Certainly a boot fault at the very least, however I suspect the drive itself , might be about to die.
I took it to a data retrieval specialist. At $100 per hour, I hope they get my data out without difficulty.
ML
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