Windows XP - My hard drive is not working correctly.

  1. If you are hearing a clicking or grinding noise, back up your data (if possible) in case the hard drive fails.

  2. Check each removable media drive for discs. If present, remove from all drives.

  3. Remove any added hardware.

  4. Disconnect all external devices (printers, scanners, digital cameras, etc.).

  5. Defragment the hard drive. Often a heavily fragmented drive is noisier and slower to retrieve data.

  6. Resize the System Restore area.

    1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

    2. In Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.

    3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the System Restore tab.

    4. On the System Restore tab, click and drag the slider to the left until the maximum size of disk space usage is set to 3 percent.

    5. Click OK.

  7. Boot from the Operating System (OS) disc.

  8. Restore the Master Boot Record.

    Note: Improper use of these tools may cause damage to your system. Proceed with caution.

    To Reinstall the Master Boot Record using System Recovery Media:

    1. Insert the System Recovery CD into the CD/DVD drive.

    2. Press the power button to start the system.

    3. The Gateway System Recovery prompt appears.

    4. Press Ctrl+Backspace. The Manufacturers Menu opens.

    5. Press the A key to install the Standard Master Boot Record. The new Master Boot Record is installed and the system reboots.
      Note: There is no confirmation to the actions on this menu. As soon as you select an item by the item number, it executes.

      Manufacturer Menu

    6. Make sure that the system can boot into Windows. If it does not boot into Windows, continue troubleshooting.

    To reinstall the Master Boot Record using System Restoration CDs:

    1. Insert the blue operating system disk into the CD/DVD drive.

    2. Press the power button to start the system. The Windows Setup screen opens.

    3. Press the R key to select Repair Windows Using the Recovery Console.

      Welcome to Setup screen

    4. The Recovery Console opens.

    5. Press the 1 key, then press ENTER to load the first Windows installation listed.
      Note: Depending on the security configuration, you may or not be prompted to select an installation. If you do not enter "1" (or the proper number for their OS), when prompted, and just presses ENTER, the system automatically reboots.

    6. Enter the Administrator password, if you have one, or leave it blank, then press ENTER. The Recovery Console opens.

    7. At the command prompt, type: Fixmbr, and then press ENTER. The new Master Boot Record is installed.

    8. At the command prompt, type exit, and then press ENTER to reboot the system.

    9. Make sure that the system can boot into Windows. If it does not boot into Windows, continue troubleshooting.

  9. Check the boot order and BIOS Boot options.

    1. Press the power button to start the computer.

    2. The Gateway/eMachines Splash Screen opens.

    3. Press the F10 key. The Boot Menu opens.

    4. Make sure that the CD/DVD is selected as the first (top) boot device.

    5. Use the arrow keys to select CD/DVD, then press ENTER to boot from the optical drive.

    6. Make sure the system is now able to boot from the CD/DVD Media, then continue troubleshooting.

    To enter BIOS Setup and load the Setup Defaults (in most cases):

    1. Press the power button to start the computer.

    2. Enter the BIOS Setup and load the Setup Defaults.

    3. Refer to the system documentation for specific instructions.

    4. Make sure the system is now able to boot from the CD/DVD Media, then continue troubleshooting.

  10. Run Check Disk (CHKDSK).

  11. Run System Restore.

  12. Run GWScan.

  13. Make sure that the cables and jumpers on the hard drive are secure and set correctly. Use the computer's documentation for the correct procedures.

  14. Make sure that the cables and jumpers on the optical drive are secure and set correctly. Use the computer's documentation for the correct procedures.

If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of the following methods: