Need help please--I screwed up

[Horse with no Name]

Computer started screaming.
I don't know what the deal was, so I opened it up (first mistake).
Anyway, I ended up unplugging the hard disk drive.
I plugged it back in and when I booted up, it said hard drive error and to insert system disk.
What is a system disk and how do I fix this.
Thanks for help.

[Richard Steele]

1. You should have gotten a 'system disk' when you bought the computer...

...with your backup OS and some 'fixit' tools on it.

[FreedomAngel82]

5. Yes

Then you should choose the case that says to restore the disc. I've had that happen a few times. When you do the restore you need a special code that you get from the company (I wrote it down so I don't have to call anymore heh heh) and you shouldn't lose anything.

[lectrobyte]

6. perhaps. a lot of computers though haven't shipped those in a while

though, to save costs. It's kind of hard to diagnose something you can't really see or hear, it could be the hard drive is OK but was corrupted by removing the cable while power was on, or it could be seized or something. To the OP, can you tell if the hard drive is spinning up when you turn on your computer?

[lectrobyte]

2. The error message indicates that the system thinks your

hard drive is no longer there, and is wanting a diskette or CD to boot from. I would check to see that your hard drive is truly plugged in properly. If the screaming noise was from the bearings in your hard drive, then you may have a bad problem, such as the platter is now siezed etc.

[Cleita]

3. You should have software that came with your computer

on a CD. It has your windows or whatever operating system on it. I hope you didn't wipe your whole hard disk. Let's hope it's just a small boot it needs. I'm pretty moronic when it comes to this stuff myself so let's hope some of the computer savvy weigh in.

[RawMaterials]

4. it means that you are not

booting off your hard drive.

make sure you have everything pluged in right and you should be ok.



or you can get a boot disk and format your hd the install a new OS

[RawMaterials]

7. never seen 4 post at the same time

i guess we are all twins :)

[mermaid]

8. A System Disk

is a boot disk, which you should have made, on a floppy, when you first installed Windows.

BUT...it sounds to me like you have not correctly re-installed your hard drive...which would likely solve your problem, as it would have a Master Boot Record right on it.

But...if not, you need a System Disk.

You can, if you have a friend who has Windows...get them to make you another Boot Disk. You'll need a floppy disk....and then it is on option off the My Computer icon on your desktop.

What you do is double-click on My Computer. Double click on Control Panel. Double click on add/remove programs...and there will then be an option for you to create a startup disk.

This is the disk your computer is asking for.

[democracyindanger]

9. What do you mean, "screaming?"

If your hard drive was making a bunch of noise, it might have failed.

[BlueJazz]

10. Has the Screaming stopped?

Did you unplug the power cable to the drive or the Ribbon Cable?

[dave502d]

11. Try hitting F8. n/t

[Warpy]

12. First, take a deep breath.

Second, you may have plugged your hard drive in backwards. Try that first.

If that doesn't fix it, then you'll need to swap the plug back the way it was and find the CD that came with your system. If you're running Win95 or Win98, you'll need the floppy disk that came with your system, try to boot from the floppy, repair or reload your OS.

However, you'll need to find out what started screaming inside your puter. Usually when a hard drive fails, it warns by grinds and buzzes. Screams are likelier to be fans, either in the power supply or on the CPU. However, if it's your HD, you may be able to piggyback your old HD into your new one when you install it and retrieve at least some of the data. In any case, it's a reminder of why you need to back up your files at least weekly. Been there, done that.

Oh, and don't forget to hook a toe onto the chassis while you check this stuff out!

[Horse with no Name]

13. Follow up

I was able to get it booted back up....after several hours.
However, when I position the hard drive back in its slot--it doesn't work.
So, right now--at least until tomorrow--I am leaving it all open.
Thanks for all the help.
I am not sure what actually worked...probably a combination of all of the above.
Thanks again.
:)

[streblin]

14. your screwed

seems like your screwed just like george...