Computer help forum: Please Help Me

Thanks, but it doesn't help much as i can even access the computer, and it doesn't have any answers i can see

Ive got a dell windows xp operating system one, a windows xp profesional one and also a windows xp home edition one, none of these work, it used to run vista. this is all i know. but it did used to work running xp.
does anyone think the hard drive has gone bust or is there something i can do to fix this. Many Thanks.

Thanks i will try it and get back 2 u...

Make sure your laptop is setup to boot from CD, as 1st boot device. If it starts to load the CD recovery disc or similar then you know the CD drive works. If upon trying to install on HD or still doesn't see one, then the HD is bad. The other half of this is the mtrbd. it connects to include any cabling. These HDs don't last forever and it appears it seems since it can't find a HD to work with it displays that error. I would try another HD if available.

Also, safe mode won't work as that's at a level where it requires the HD. Again it appears to be a bad HD. If you know the HD maker, then visit the support website and get the diags to test the HD. Alas, if upon initial boot-up, the bios should show a HD present, what does it display. Access the bios area as well to best see this action. If nothing, then besides the HD being bad, is the mtrbd.. I would reset several times the cabling and clean contacts and test again. if this laptop had been running "hot" it may have succumbed to heat damage.

You could also remove laptop HD and see if its seen on a desktop with proper connections as 2nd HD or mount in ext. USB case.

tada ------Willy

The CD with Ubuntu on it did not work, the screen just flashed for a bit then went back to the windows did not start successfully.... so I have come to the conclusion the HD is not working...

The recovery media you are trying to use isn't going to work, you will need the Toshiba recovery disks. Ubuntu was mentioned, that is a POSSIBILITY but doubtful. IF this was(originally) an XP system there is another trick to try, though it sounds far out I have done this on more than one system under similar conditions. Find a pre 2005 Norton AV disk, they are rare..load the disk into the drive and there will be boot options..one is boot to Windows and that is what you would do, it will either work or not, dependent upon conditions of the failure. If you can get your hands on and old Norton disk it is certainly worth a shot. Aside from that, the easiest way would be to bite the bullet and get the Toshi disks, which of course will not be free.