Did I just blow up my hard drive?

[N4k]

I think I damaged my hard drive. No, not literally 'blew up'. I accidentally flipped the machein off and when I rebooted it will not read it. it. It just says:

INVALID/NO SYSTEM DISK INSERT A PROPER ONE

Something like that. I even opened up the case and fiddled with the wires! Whats going on? Please hurry, I need something on that hard drive!

[the_icon]

Free suggestion would be to get a live distro of linux - gentoo is very good. Boot from the CD and copy the files you want off the hard drive. Reformat and re-install windows.

Paid option. Use ERD Commander. Boots into windows and will enable you to gain full access to your hard drive (presuming it hasn't died) and copy files off.
Will also repair your os.

Could try windows repair console - boot from your XP cd and press (think it's F2) when prompted.

Try putting the hard drive into a friends machine and copy the stuff you need.

Guess I shouldn't ask if you have regular backups :)

[Morpher]

Just go to the bios, set it to boot from cd, insert your windows cd and use the repair installtion option, if that doesnt work you may have to format the drive and reinstall windows from scratch

[lokesh]

Shut down your system for a few hours and start it again. The problem should be solved!

This same thing had happened to me!

[N4k]

YAY! Nothing was wrong with the system, it was the case. There was a chunk of plastic that sticks out putting a lot of tension on the IDE cable. I tryed to correct the wire but the side of the case kept bumping it out of place. I ended up ditching the case and replacing it with an older black case.

Moral of the story: Compaq cases suck.

[Goins001]

lol, not just the cases my friend