Hard Drive Problems - Compaq AP500 Maintenance And Service Manual

4-12 Diagnostic Tools

Hard Drive Problems

This section identifies some quick checks for hard drive-related problems.
The information provided by the diagnostics test includes error code, system serial number,
drive serial number, drive model, and drive firmware revision. Specific details of the drive
failure are not included.
When you run the diagnostics, the test results are stored in a log. After completing the test, you
can print this log to a local printer or save it to a file. Alternatively, before running the test, you
can configure the test options to send the results to a local printer or file.
Solutions for some typical hard drive problems are presented in the following table.
Problem
Hard drive error occurs
Disk transaction problem
Drive not found
Nonsystem disk message
Table 4-6
Solutions for Hard Drive Problems
Possible Solution
Hard disk has bad sectors or has failed. Use a utility to locate and block usage of bad
sectors. If necessary, reformat the hard disk.
Either the directory structure is bad or there is a problem with a file.
When using Windows NT, run Disk Administrator. At the Start menu, highlight Programs
and select Administrator Tools .
1. Cable could be loose. Check cable connections.
2. Check SCSI IDs to be sure they are not duplicated.
1. The system is trying to start from a diskette that is not bootable. Remove the diskette
from the diskette drive.
2. The system is trying to start from the hard drive but the hard disk has been damaged.
Insert a bootable diskette into the diskette drive and restart the workstation.
3. Diskette boot has been disabled in Computer Setup. Run Computer Setup and enable
diskette boot.