Hard drive problem

alan · 16 Aug 2011 at 15:54

Hi,

Over the last week or so my computer has randomly started to crash after 3/4 hours use. Upon restarting it comes up with a disk boot error, please enter windows cd and press enter. I can go into bios and sometimes it says the hd is there and other times it doesnt see it.

Then if I leave the pc for a longer period (ie overnight) then turn it on, all will be fine and dandy again, loading up windows no problem.

Just seems like a really random, intermittent problem that is starting to get really annoying.

I've got an Asus p5n-e sli mobo and a Seagate barracuda 500gb hd - which is probably a year or so old. Has been working absolutely fine up until this last week. Running windows 7 64bit.

Any suggestions? or does it look like a new hard drive is needed?

rpstewart · 16 Aug 2011 at 15:55

Start with checking and if possible replacing the data cable.

alan · 16 Aug 2011 at 16:26

Just changed the data cables and no luck. Started booting and then came up with a black screen and just a flashing _ top left. Had to restart.

Surveyor · 16 Aug 2011 at 18:10

A bit off the wall but I would also test your RAM to make sure it isn't faulty.

Run Memtest and try running with one stick at a time.

Faulty RAM can can cause all sorts of odd issues to arise.

alan · 11 Sep 2011 at 12:21

So thought this problem had gone away, as my pc had started working fine for about a week. However over the last few days it has got progressively worse and now it is not even working intermittently. Just keep getting the 'disk boot failure' error message and after going into Bios the hard drive is nowhere to be seen.

Have tried changing the cables, using different SATA ports, played around with ram etc.

Any ideas ? Really struggling as what to do.