Computer trouble help?

[}{arlequin]

My ThinkPad runs fine, most of the time, barring any virus hickups, which I evntually take care of (ie: use some kind of virus fix software)

I normally don't bother shutting it down, only every now and then. Usually I just close it and let it do its thing.

The other day I open it up and upon startup I get a black screen w/ this message:

"Error
0200: Failure Fixed Disk 0
Press to Setup"

After hitting F1, it goes into the BIOS Setup Utility which does not seem to help, either when restarting or trying to get it configured etc.

Each time after it goes back to the same screen whether I restart it or not

Is it dead? Is it fixable? Should I just let the IBM people handle the problem? I do have some private content on the hard drive...

[jrdavid68]

Here's a link to an IBM site with the error codes:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-39673

Here is what it says about the 0200:

Check to see if fixed disk is attached properly. Run setup. Find out if the fixed disk type is correctly identified.

So, either the settings are messed up and the hard drive is not being recognized properly, or the hard drive may be dead.

Is the machine still under warranty?

[rcecale]

Dave,

Here's a link to IBM's Website that shows all the error codes. For the 0200 Error Code, it states "Check to see if fixed disk is attached properly. Run setup. Find out if the fixed disk type is correctly identified."

I would open it up and remove the HDD and then replace it, just to reseat the contacts. We use thinkpads where I work and have occasionally had this happen.

I know the newer Thinkpads don't come with floppy drives, but if you have access to one, you may try booting with a Windows 98 floppy and see if you can access the drive that way. Or, you can download an NTFS Boot Disk from here.

The NTFS Boot Disk opens as sort of a shell that allows access to your files. Of course this only works if your HDD hasn't failed.

Good luck!

Randy

[jrdavid68]

I have also seen a similar error with HP/Compaq laptops that are experiencing a heat related issue. Ultimately a fan or something needs to be replaced, however, turning the laptop off for a couple hours to let it completely cool will allow it to boot - useful if a backup is necessary.

Just throwing that out there in an effort to try the simple things first.

[RickM]

Take the HD out and note the setup parameters. Then boot, go to BIOS setup and make sure that the configuration is correct.

[}{arlequin]

Originally posted by RickM
Take the HD out and note the setup parameters. Then boot, go to BIOS setup and make sure that the configuration is correct.

How do I note the setup w/ the HD out? Is it all pins and connectors?

Thanks to all for chipping in. I'll be trying all these methods out. As for taking the computer apart... I understand the keyboard needs to come out first? Are there "set screws" or other items to move/loosen before I can open it up?

It's a T41

Thanks again.

[RickM]

With a desktop PC hard drive there are setup specs printed on the unit. Info includes Sectors, Cylinders, Heads and total diskspace. The first three parameters are plugged into the BIOS setup and then the total space is calculated.

Note: The HD model and capacity can be used to look the info up as well.

[RickM]

Here's an example of the info that may be printed on the drive:

[}{arlequin]

wow, I never knew that. Thank you for your patience.

[rcecale]

Dave,

I believe the T41's are pretty much the same as a T40, except for some of the inards. The HDD is pretty simple to remove.

Look on the bottom of the laptop, underneath where your right hand would rest on the wrist pad. There is a single screw that needs to come out. Once removed, the HDD should slide right out...with a little pulling maybe. It's a piece of cake. I've done the T40's several times.



Randy

[}{arlequin]

awesome info/help, thanks.

[concentric]

Yeah, I just had the same thing happen.
The drive sits in a little tray inside the laptop, just remove that screw that was mentioned and there should be a piece of plastic that will allow you to pull it out, or you can use a screwdriver through the screwhole to wedge the hard-drive out. My PC laptop is a 600X, which is close to the same. It's a really easy swap, especially if you replace with the same drive from the same company. No BIOS changes then in most cases.

Jason

[}{arlequin]

I'll try all this when I get home, but assuming I can't get it to run, and IBM does provide me w/ a new drive... what options do I have for reclaiming the stuff from my old drive? I've heard of services/companies doing that sort of recovery, but is it feasible? What's the chance of success?

[RickM]

The more physical damage to the drive the harder and more expensive it is to recover data. Sometimes out of reach though.

I'm hoping you just have to reset your HD parameters in the BIOS. If not you have alot of help here.

Oh, and when you're done figuring this all out start backing your system up

[rcecale]

If the HDD hasn't failed but you still can't boot to it, you may be able to use one of these little guys and slave it into a desktop.

I just had one of our users' laptops do that and it just did not want to play. Tried to re-install Windows over the old installation but it would only work if I formatted the drive. Using one of these adapters, I was able to slave it up and get all the data the guy needed.

If the drive has failed phisically, then, chances are you can still have the data recovered by OnTrack or another such company which actually disassembles the drive and mounts the platters to a different location so the data can be extracted. Definitely the MORE expensive way to go.

Randy

[concentric]

You can also buy a Firewire hard-drive enclosure for the drive and try to run it that way... If the drive isn't complete loss, you should be able to recover some of the data.

JCM