Poorly laptop

[taximania]

Any ideas. Toshiba Satellite Pro A60

I was trying to re-install windows on my laptop because it had a grumbling stomach. The instalation started, then it just switched off.

My C: drive has disappeared and my DVD drive exists, but I can't access it. I think it died during the re-install of windows.

Sorted my C: drive but no Dvd drive.
If I boot from a rescue floppy, it sees the Dvd drive but I get "Abort, Retry, Fail"

Is it possible the motors in the drive have failed, that's why I can see it but not access it ?
Should I buy another drive or might I be wasting my money ?

[bdiscount]

since its a laptop you should have a recovery cd/dvd have you tried that? its quite costly to replace a hard drive in a laptop, is it new enough to warrant the cost.

[taximania]

I have the recovery Dvd, but can't access it.

Laptop is 2 year old.
I have located a replacement drive for £40 GBP
But unsure whether to buy it in case the computer is faulty not the drive.

[RandomCoder]

Have you considered a USB drive?? Can you borrow one from a friend?? I know that some of them are generic and don't need any drivers to work so it's worth a shot and would save you £40.

Regards,
RandomCoder.

[taximania]

Sorry, I missed a bit.
I've got this thread on 3 different forums

I sorted the C: drive by booting from a rescue floppy and formatting c:
I had to make C: the Primary partition before I could format it.
My system now has no Windows on it, just a Win98 C: prompt
My rescue floppy finds drive E: (dvd) but won't let me access it.
Therefore it also won't let me access my DVD Recovery Disk.

I considered using another PC to transfer the recovery DVD to the USB 5gig flash memory device I own. But my basic dos machine won't find the USB device will it ?

I've gone by instinct and ordered a new DVD drive

I'll keep you informed ....

[RandomCoder]

Good luck my friend, computers are fickle things. I wish you all the best.

Regards,
RandomCoder

[Cableguy]

the flash could work, it depends on the BIOS, if it boots to mass storage or not...Anyway from your comments about the HD, I would go with a MoBo issue or processor....Good Luck, I think you'll need it!!

[bdiscount]

There is a bios setup where you should be able to set your dvd as the boot disk enabling the recovery. good luck

[bdiscount]

you should be able to get into the bios aetup when turn on (del, f8 or what ever they say on screen.

[taximania]

Originally Posted by bdiscount

There is a bios setup where you should be able to set your dvd as the boot disk enabling the recovery. good luck

It doesn't matter what sequence I set in the BIOS

finds drive E: (dvd) but won't let me access it.

I should have another drive by Tuesday/Wednesday. Let's hope it was the drive that was faulty