Dropped my laptop

[Croda]

I have a Dell Inspiron 2200, that met with a little fall from the bed to the floor last night. now I can't get it to boot.

I get alternating errors. sometimes it can't find a valid boot device, sometimes it gives me errors loading system files (ntoskrnl.exe, \config\system), other times I get the Blue Screen of Death telling me to run checkdisk.

I get this booting to windows, into safe mode (w/ or w/o command prompt), no matter what.

I got to my desktop once just booting normally, but it seized up as it does from time to time.

I'm not having any luck booting from CD (don't have a floppy) and cannot get to a command prompt to even attempt to run simple commands.

I've removed and reseated the HD to no avail.

does anyone have any ideas? I'm guessing there was some damage to the HD and that if I can run chkdsk or something, I may be ok...but I might be deluding myself too.

I'm wide open to suggestions.

thanks in advance.

 

[SirChadwick]

The mobos in laptops tend to be fragile also. Try running that chkdsk and see what happens. If nothing, I bet you need a mobo replacement.

 

[KGB]

Try the F12 to get the "one time" boot order and select "Diagnostics".

This will run the onboard Dell diagnostics and give you results.
Post back with the results.

 

[Croda]

can't run chkdisk because I can't get to a command prompt or to the desktop


as for the diagnostic tool...everything passes, oddly enough.


took out the HD today to look at it again and it rattles when I shake it. that can't be a good sign.

 

[Kinslayer777]

Er...Could it be the HD needle crashing into the harddrive? That would really screw it up, but as this occurs to me i am dubious i thought of it before you others =-p

 

[MedicBob]

Reseat your memory. No the HDD rattling isn't good. You could try buying a new HDD and reinstalling but if won't help if something else is bad/broken.

 

[Laputa]

Your hard drive is failing and going bad down the road quick. I believe the read head had crashed into the platter disc and there are definitely head crash spots now. This is why you are getting random errors because each crash spot is like a speed bump and read head is running at about 40-54mph. This is going to get worse and worse. Lease expensive way to do it is just to replace the drive if you don't need the data. If you need the data, send me a PM.