Disk I/O Error

[cmut]

When attempting to boot the error "Disk I/O error Replace the disk, and then press any key" occurs. Help.
Thanks

 

[medic]

There are a few things you can do but we need some specs first, what you were doing before this happened, OS and software installed, M.B., bios version, H.D., partition info....?

 

[cmut]

Thanks for your reply. Not exactly sure what the user was doing before the problem occured (she probably locked up and attempted to reboot). The OS is Win95. There are TONS of 3rd party programs installed (many are DOS programs). There may be 2 partitions but not sure. Maybe 1-2 gigs?? .. sorry I don't know all the specs ... bios version not too sure of either - when attempting to boot it scrolls v4.51PG (don't know if that's what you're needing) ...wasn't sure what you meant by MB ?? ... thanks for your help!

 

[cmut]

Another thing that I wanted to mention was that the HD almost sounds as if it stops working when it gives the error (a whirling sound). I also tried to use a boot disk to try to run a thorough scan but it won't even get passed the point of the error (it doesn't give the error when I use the boot disk but after "verifying DMI pool data" is when it sticks which is the point that error would occur) .... sorry if I have confused ya ..

 

[medic]

It's possible a FDISK/MBR or sys C: may get it booted up but DON'T DO THAT YET!!

Does she have important data on it? You could Secondary master it in another computer to try to recover the data..You must set the jumpers and bios parameters exactly though, before you boot.

W95a? FAT16? You will need a W95a bootdisk.

Which Motherboard?

 

[cmut]

Data is on the server .. nothing but progs on the hd. Have no idea about the hd or the motherboard ... most definitely not a hardware chic I would like to go ahead and reinstall the OS but I can't even do that because it hangs.

 

[medic]

Okay that's good to know!

Hardware speaking the drive doesn't sound good though..
Can you boot the computer to the A prompt with a bootdisk?
If so can you CD to C: and read the drive?

 

[cmut]

Can't get far at all with the boot disk. It does "PCI device listing", verifies the DMI data pool then stops ... can't get anywhere after that ... just stops

 

[cmut]

HEY!!! it's starting to boot!! ...keep ya posted ..wait it stopped again. Something is trying to work, I can actually hear it turning on and off ... Could the power supply cause this? The heat sink fan is still turning, as well as the power supply fan ...

 

[medic]

Unplug every extra fan,(not CPU) remove soundcard ect. and try again or try another Power Supply.

 

[rahvin]

You have some motherboard related stuff going on, I would be supprised if the hard drive is invoved if you can't boot from a floppy. Stopping after the DMI stuff is usually a good indication of a motherboard problem.

This may sound stupid, but open the case and blow all the dust out.

 

[cmut]

Well, here's the deal.. I gave up .. it wasn't the power supply. So I grabbed another hd. The new hd install went great and it's working fine. Thanks for all of your help and suggestions.
Cheryl

 

[medic]

Another thing that I wanted to mention was that the HD almost sounds as if it stops working when it gives the error (a whirling sound)

Like I said..the drive doesn't sound good! (most likely too old to RMA)

Thank god for having the data on the server...safe!