How do I if fix my problem with my hard drive??
488729
The most sensible answer is that you've pulled out one of the connectors for the hard drive. Try pushing them back in?
210810
Buy a cleaner or a new drive.
215350
reboot in safe mode and rollback to a previous installation.\n\nedit:\nif you can get to safe mode, then you can safely backup your pictures before you try other options. the "repair" option below is super risky. i tried it recently and it reformatted the hd (not on MY computer, ha ha ha.)\n\nhowever, it is not a disk problem. more likely a program that is running is corrupted (probably an install wizard or install shield.) if you can get into safe mode, answer back and we can help you try to locate the problem.
422602
Backup all your information, format the HD and reinstal OS. Probably the easiest way.
338214
Looks like you have done most of the troubleshooting. Call up Dell. They would assist you in probably replacing the drive if the system is within contracts.\n\nBut they might ask you to repeat the steps you carried out and a few more, just to make sure its not the fault with the operating system.\n\nGood Luck!
1001859
Back up everything while you can. See if the drive is still under warranty and able to be replaced by the manufacturer, if not then buy a new one.
57990
Check all the cables and connections.\n\nIf your device is detected by the OS then that is a start.\n\nCheck in the following location:\nControl Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Storage > Disk Management\n\nIf your device is shown here then great, but be warned your data may be lost and you may need to reformat the drive.\n\nHowever, if you are hearing a cranky sound then it may be that the drive has given up.  Not a good sign.\n\nCheck all of the above to make certain.  If it is a new disk then return it or get it replaced.  If unfortunately you need to buy a new disk, then AVOID Western Digital.  Get Seagate or Maxtor.\n\nGood Luck\nBattery Wizard
744897
This sounds like a plug got lose.  Unplug the power cord (and main battery if this is a laptop) then remove the plugs in the drive, and reinsert them.   Then apply power and see if the drive is restored.  \n\nThis is just a shot in the dark, but I have seen this situation on a rare basis. \n\nGood luck
1022776
Reboot into safe mode... defrag then disc cleanup/repair. If you can get through all that and see that your harddrive has no bad sectors, then run virus scan. Some viruses connect themselves to the boot sector so wiping the harddrive doesn't get them.\n\nIf all is successful but you still have the problem, use your installation disc to either reinstall the operating system. I know you did this already but do it again after you have done all of the first part.
353844
You can use software like "FinalData2", I have been in this before and helped someone here in Yahoo Answers to recover his hard drive (Check my best answers).\nIf you like I can go again with you and help you too, send me your e-mail, and mark me as best answers.\n\nXLMan
407627
Boot in dos type CHKDSK or SCANDISK there might be bad sectors on your hard disk.
560653
First step would be to defragment the troublesome partition.  If the problem still persists try a 'Restore' point where the computer was behaving itself.
923399
I think you should start copying your files....!I too lost my hard drive and lost all the data...!I can give you a link that deals with hard drive problems. Some RAM/hard drive problems can be easily fixed yourself by using easily available tools. I found the info at http://fixit.in  useful. Try this site, if you can get what is required.
836499
If the hard drive has been replaced, it is difficult to say - many software problems look like hardware problems, and vice versa. \n\nI assume as you say you had the hard drive replaced rather than doing it yourself that you are not very technically minded, so all I can suggest is the following:\n\nHardware: Remove the case lid, and check the connections internally. Ensure all the cables are seated properly, paying particular attention to the ribbon cables that run from the main board to the hard drive and CD/DVD Rom drive. \n\nSoftware: Insert the XP disk, and select recovery mode. Re-write the MBR (master boot record)\n\nBeyond that, it is almost impossible to guess: if the problem persists, it is possible that you have an intermittent fault on the motherboard or with the processor, but it is too complicated to explain how to do it if you have no technical knowledge.
466614
run scandisk and make sure you check the option to scan the surface area for physical damage.  If your computer seems to be running slower and there is a kind of grinding noise coming from the drive, it's probably time to replace it before losing all of your data.
906343
Maybe your hard drive needs to be de-fragged?
415708
i think you mean you have 4 bad sectors on you hard drive -\n\nuse the CHKDSK /p /r from a dos prompt\n\nthis will scan your disk and repair any bad sectors