Help! Dropped my laptop and can't reboot.

Unregistered39

I know, I know. Dropped laptop, it froze so I tried to restart it. I'm getting a boot device window which has hard disk/CD Rom-DVD/Floppy Disk and LAN Boot as four options but when I try to choose one (Hard Disk, couldn't tell you why but it seems the most likely) and hit return - nada.

Any clues? Definitely have no cash to get fixed.

Be gentle - I'm a bit of a technophobe.

Many thanks.

CSU

What make is it?

Is it under warranty?

Unregistered39

CSU wrote: »

What make is it?

Is it under warranty?

It's an IQON (think it's made by Philips) but warranty is long gone - it's 6 years' old.

CSU

You've probably killed the HDD

You could be lucky and only have loosened the HDD from the board, locate it (usually on the side held in by a cover with one screw) and unplug and plug it and see if it works.

Otherwise the lack of any error codes on boot is telling me everything else seems fine ie. ram.

Unregistered39

CSU wrote: »

You've probably killed the HDD

You could be lucky and only have loosened the HDD from the board, locate it (usually on the side held in by a cover with one screw) and unplug and plug it and see if it works.

Otherwise the lack of any error codes on boot is telling me everything else seems fine ie. ram.

'Killed' is rarely a good word. Can't see any obvious way to open anything on the side. Would a quick look at this tell you where I should be looking?

Thanks a million,

E

bonzodog2

Looks like just one big cover on the bottom, so its probably in there, if you have the right screwdriver.

Unregistered39

bonzodog2 wrote: »

Looks like just one big cover on the bottom, so its probably in there, if you have the right screwdriver.

There are two panels so I've taken both off. Any idea which of these doodahs is the HDD? Don't really want to start messing with something about which I have clearly no clue...

bonzodog2

The rectangular silver thing on the bottom left, should slide to the left and lift out. Does it feel like its spinning ? It looks like an IDE type, you might get another cheap on ebay, but finding drivers for IQONs can be tricky sometimes.

Actually on another look at the pic, it looks like its slipped to the left, out of its socket, as the pins are visible. Try a push to the right.

ricman

the small one on the lower left, gently remove the drive, pull it to the left,away from pins.put back 2 covers . reboot laptop, does it boot up.
the drive could be damaged, or just boot files deleted, first try reboot , leave drive in, hold f8, from safe mode, menu,try safe mode directory service restore.use arrow keys,up,down enter to select it.
you could buy 40gig ide 2.5inch drive on adverts ie, 20 euro. then just reinstall windows.be careful,dont touch drive pcb, circuit board, put it down gently.is there any important data on the drive.?

CSU

*went to clean teh car sorry*

yer the HDD slipped out of the socket, a push to the right and all "should" be back to norm

and you might want to remove those photos before your product key iz all over the internets LoL!

Unregistered39

CSU wrote: »

*went to clean teh car sorry*

yer the HDD slipped out of the socket, a push to the right and all "should" be back to norm

That's exactly what happened! Thanks so much to everyone. You have restored my laptop and my faith in humanity. Really appreciate it.

And I forgive you CSU for having a life instead of doling out free advice

Cheers,

Butterfingers.

wil

having given it such a knock, now might be a oportune moment to back up everything of importance just in case.

HDs dont appreciate bumps particularly while running and every extra knock considerably reduces its life.
I'd run a HD test utility afterwards to see if anything obvious happened.
Damaged sectors etc
Different manufacturers have their own but HDDScan or similar might help.