Author Topic: Need help fixing friend's laptop. (Read 1591 times)

Coolio · January 04, 2012, 07:55:23 PM

So, when I was talking to my friend today, he said his mom/family's laptop was broken, and I offered to fix it. The laptop would be going to him because they got a new one because it broke. It's a HP Pavillion Dv6000. So, i booted it and I get:

SMART FAILURE PREDICTED ON Hard Disk 4: ST9200827AS-(S1)

Press F1 to continue

Now, the catch is, pressing F1 doesn't do ANYTHING. If I try to boot with a disk, it ejects the disk. I have Disk set to boot option 1, and HDD to option 2. I'll try switching the order, but for now, I need to bypass the warning, format the HDD, re-install, and go from there.

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Coolio · January 04, 2012, 08:10:29 PM

Switching boot order didn't help, and everything else is something that is unrelated and won't help ATM.

Ethan · January 04, 2012, 08:14:11 PM

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/HDD-Regenerator.shtml

Download it and create a bootable flash drive using a USB stick.
Boot off the stick in the computer in question and allow it to do a full scan and fix whatever. It should get you past this, for now.

Although this usually does mean that your hard drive is about to fail, so I suggest back up whatever you can and get them to buy a HDD to replace the old one with, then install Windows on it.

Coolio · January 04, 2012, 08:16:12 PM

Quote from: Ethan on January 04, 2012, 08:14:11 PM

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/HDD-Regenerator.shtml

Download it and create a bootable flash drive using a USB stick.
Boot off the stick in the computer in question and allow it to do a full scan and fix whatever. It should get you past this, for now.

Although this usually does mean that your hard drive is about to fail, so I suggest back up whatever you can and get them to buy a HDD to replace the old one with, then install Windows on it.

~~What program should I use for making a bootable flash drive?~~ Nevermind, thought it would've been an ISO.
Yeah, I'll see if I can get him a HDD. Would just a ExHDD USB work?

Ethan · January 04, 2012, 08:19:06 PM

Quote from: Coolio on January 04, 2012, 08:16:12 PM

What program should I use for making a bootable flash drive?
Yeah, I'll see if I can get him a HDD. Would just a ExHDD USB work?

Uh, the program has the feature in it. Just click the option, select the boot drive, and that's it.

Just get an internal HDD. Make sure it's compatible, at least 5400RPM and whatever capacity he needs. They aren't that expensive.

Ethan · January 04, 2012, 08:27:04 PM

Apparently you can bypass the error message by pressing F10 then F1.

Coolio · January 04, 2012, 08:52:20 PM

I put in the CD, but after skipping the error, I get
BOOTMGR IS MISSING
PRESS CTRL ALT DEL TO REBOOT

What is BOOTMGR? I booted with the USB with the F10 trick, but realized I could use the CD for Windows, but that happens/

Gojira · January 04, 2012, 08:53:27 PM

bootmgr?
probably boot manager
don't know
not an expert like ethan is

Davy · January 04, 2012, 08:55:32 PM

do not worry i am very tech savvy

step 1: turn on computer
setp 2: fix computer
step 3: give computer back to friend

Ethan · January 04, 2012, 09:01:03 PM

Quote from: Coolio on January 04, 2012, 08:52:20 PM

I put in the CD, but after skipping the error, I get
BOOTMGR IS MISSING
PRESS CTRL ALT DEL TO REBOOT

What is BOOTMGR? I booted with the USB with the F10 trick, but realized I could use the CD for Windows, but that happens/

Boot manager. At what point does that error happen? Can you get to the first windows screen on the CD? Are you using the same windows version CD as what is installed?
Windows installation CDs give you an option to launch a CMD prompt on the installer. If you can get that far, do so.
Did you run the flash drive?

Coolio · January 04, 2012, 09:21:27 PM

Okay:
Boot off of USB, later cancel then try to boot off CD
BootMgr error
Try later
Flashing black underscore

It's using Vista Home Basic (I think) but I'm trying to install XP Pro.

Ethan · January 04, 2012, 09:36:29 PM

Quote from: Coolio on January 04, 2012, 09:21:27 PM

Okay:
Boot off of USB, later cancel then try to boot off CD
BootMgr error
Try later
Flashing black underscore

It's using Vista Home Basic (I think) but I'm trying to install XP Pro.

You need to use a Vista CD, unfortunately.
Try do the flash drive?

suburb · January 04, 2012, 09:40:08 PM

Have you gone into system setup by any chance and looked at what mode the HDD is running in? I have received messages regarding issues like this many times so I just boot up and hit f11 correct me if I am wrong and you should be in a blue screen menu and stuff like that.

Sorry I couldn't help you any further than this and fyi I have an hp dv5000 pavilion so I am somewhat close to your friends haha.

Coolio · January 04, 2012, 09:40:25 PM

Dang. I can't get to his house for a few days, or a week. He lives 10 minutes away.
I'll try the USB. Is there a bootable image/program for USB where I can format the HDD, so I can install XP? That's what I was going to do.

Righteous One · January 04, 2012, 09:51:14 PM

Quote from: Coolio on January 04, 2012, 09:40:25 PM

Dang. I can't get to his house for a few days, or a week. He lives 10 minutes away.
I'll try the USB. Is there a bootable image/program for USB where I can format the HDD, so I can install XP? That's what I was going to do.

I know that you could boot into a lightweight linux installation (on the usb) and format the harddrive by simply deleting the partitions.

It sound like your re installation disk (I'm assuming you're using an OEM one) is broken. If you have a dvd burner you should be able to simply burn a new one and then use the product key on the bottom of the laptop.