Fix for Disk boot failure

[kidgamer]

Turned on my computer at work today and my disk drive started to make a loud jackhammer noise near the end of the initial startup process. As soon as I log into a program like Outlook or AOL, the computer immediately freezes and I get a "Disk boot failure" error message.

Rebooting yields the same results.

Any ideas on how on a fix?
I appreciate any suggestions

[Disk_Contented]

Sounds indicative of a faulty drive.
You could try scanning the disk for errors.

[setec]

Jackhammer sound? I would backup what you can now that the computer is booted, and get a new drive. If an actualy sound you hear other than the normal grinding of the harddrive, then its most likely physical damage to the drive and its near the end of its life.

If its just normal grind, I concur with Disk_Contented on scanning for disk errors.

[kidgamer]

Thank you both for your replies.


I attempted to run Scandisk a couple of times but a minute or
two into the scan the disk drive emits a loud chaffing sound
(like a scratched or broken record). I could hear the noise
coming from the drive even standing 25ft. away. The scratching
noise comes and goes, but a frozen computer screen is the
enevitable result.

I pulled the cover off the drive, but didn't see anything obvious
that would cause the noise.

If indeed I need to replace the drive, what's the best way to save
the information on the damaged drive?

[Disk_Contented]

The drive is past saving.
Hopefully, no dust fell into the drive when the cover was removed.
All you can really do, is slave another drive to it and try to copy as many neccessary files to that as possible. With a bit of luck, all critical data is still safe and only windows files are inaccessable.
Grab what you can NOW!
Good luck.