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August 27th, 2014, 11:31 AM
#31
As I've read elsewhere, there's around 1 in 7 odds the correct hal.dll file will be added.
As per a previous post, although I tried overwriting files, I'm not sure it actually happened. I did try the non-format option where it's supposed to back-up data but the end result was nothing more than non-destructive recovery which leads me to believe the PC and HDD aren't really communicating.
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (32Bit OS)
Manufacturer - Dell (Inspiron Desktop 546 Minitower)
Processor - AMD Athlon (tm) 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ 2.70 GHz
Memory - 3072MB (3 x 1024) 800MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
System Type - 32 bit
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA non Raid (7200Rpm)
Graphics - 512mb ATI Radeon HD 4350
Monitor - Acer P223W 22" LCD (using DVI)
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August 27th, 2014, 11:47 AM
#32
Do you see the hard drive listed in the CMOS/BIOS Setup?
If so, can you access the drive at all?
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August 27th, 2014, 12:04 PM
#33
If I have this correct then entering BIOS is F2. It appears to be reading the system ie Processor type, Processor speed etc. I don't see my HDD on that 1st page. Again, apologies for seeming slow on this, I've never dealt with this before
Edit, both HDDs are recognised on the 'boot' page. I'll guess at trying to access them now.
Last edited by oldskool1964; August 27th, 2014 at 12:17 PM.
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (32Bit OS)
Manufacturer - Dell (Inspiron Desktop 546 Minitower)
Processor - AMD Athlon (tm) 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ 2.70 GHz
Memory - 3072MB (3 x 1024) 800MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
System Type - 32 bit
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA non Raid (7200Rpm)
Graphics - 512mb ATI Radeon HD 4350
Monitor - Acer P223W 22" LCD (using DVI)
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August 27th, 2014, 12:23 PM
#34
Unfortunately, which key(s) to use to access the CMOS/BIOS Setup varies widely. After pressing [F2] though, if you are see a text-like screen where you can move around by pressing the arrow keys on your keyboard and press [Enter] to make a selection, or [Esc] to go back up a menu, then it sounds like you're already in there. Again though, exactly what you might be seeing also varies widely. Dig around and see if you can get into somewhere where you would be able change the boot order. (Like to boot from a DVD, USB, or hard drive first, etc.). If you see a hard drive model number listed in there, the computer's BIOS (basic input/output) is recognizing the hard drive.
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August 27th, 2014, 12:30 PM
#35
I highlight the drives (they both highlight together), press enter but nothing happens.
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (32Bit OS)
Manufacturer - Dell (Inspiron Desktop 546 Minitower)
Processor - AMD Athlon (tm) 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ 2.70 GHz
Memory - 3072MB (3 x 1024) 800MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
System Type - 32 bit
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA non Raid (7200Rpm)
Graphics - 512mb ATI Radeon HD 4350
Monitor - Acer P223W 22" LCD (using DVI)
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August 27th, 2014, 12:33 PM
#36
Not sure if we posted the same time. I did find the boot page and my drives were recognised. I still can't access though.
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (32Bit OS)
Manufacturer - Dell (Inspiron Desktop 546 Minitower)
Processor - AMD Athlon (tm) 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ 2.70 GHz
Memory - 3072MB (3 x 1024) 800MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
System Type - 32 bit
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA non Raid (7200Rpm)
Graphics - 512mb ATI Radeon HD 4350
Monitor - Acer P223W 22" LCD (using DVI)
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August 27th, 2014, 12:51 PM
#37
Can you access it/them after booting the computer from a Live CD/USB?
A Live CD/DVD or USB flash drive contains a complete bootable computer operating system (OS). When you boot a computer from it, the OS loads into, and then runs from memory instead of a hard drive. This allows you to run an OS without installing it or making any changes to a computer's current configuration.
To create one, download an ISO file containing the OS you want to use, (such as Ubuntu, Slax or Zorin), then use something like ISO Recorder to burn it to a CD/DVD or USB key.
Now boot your computer from this disc/key and see if you can access the hard drive(s).
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August 27th, 2014, 01:39 PM
#38
I'm going around in circles Doc. If I could find the way of entering the HDDs I'd be on it already. I'm currently using the Ultimate Boot CD 5 as recommended by Mydknyte, nobody answered my earlier query about how to burn Ubuntu, whether it's just a case of burning the extracted files or not. When I right-click and highlight all files I do see the recommended ISO tool but I'm lost how to actually use it. That probably sounds silly when you're so used to such things, I've never done this before.
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (32Bit OS)
Manufacturer - Dell (Inspiron Desktop 546 Minitower)
Processor - AMD Athlon (tm) 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ 2.70 GHz
Memory - 3072MB (3 x 1024) 800MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
System Type - 32 bit
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA non Raid (7200Rpm)
Graphics - 512mb ATI Radeon HD 4350
Monitor - Acer P223W 22" LCD (using DVI)
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August 27th, 2014, 02:11 PM
#39
Ok. An alternative would be to use a SATA/IDE-to-USB adapter to connect that hard drive to a USB port on another computer and see if you can access from there.
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August 27th, 2014, 02:26 PM
#40
Which takes me back to my 2nd or 3rd post Probably for the best. It's an old machine which I've definitely had my monies worth. Thanks to all for trying. Hopefully I can buy locally, I will post back if I can retrieve my data.
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (32Bit OS)
Manufacturer - Dell (Inspiron Desktop 546 Minitower)
Processor - AMD Athlon (tm) 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ 2.70 GHz
Memory - 3072MB (3 x 1024) 800MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
System Type - 32 bit
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA non Raid (7200Rpm)
Graphics - 512mb ATI Radeon HD 4350
Monitor - Acer P223W 22" LCD (using DVI)
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August 27th, 2014, 03:09 PM
#41
Originally Posted by oldskool1964
I will post back if I can retrieve my data.
If you can't, Ontrack, DriveSavers and Datarecovery are three well-known and respected* companies that can attempt to retrieve files off of a flaky hard drive. Pricing typically runs between a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars (US).
(*Western Digital "Platinum Data Recovery Partners")
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August 27th, 2014, 03:19 PM
#42
It isn't worth too much money. Youtube clips which I saved for later viewing and 7 years worth of 'favourites'. It's more an annoyance than pain
Assuming this vista becomes my main PC, I will be looking for a new free firewall. This currently has comodo but it's too much. I install a program and have to give numerous permissions, which is fine if you understand all the random numbers and letters. I'm sure things have moved on since, I've always used zone alarm before so hopefully ZA is now available for vista? (yes, it has been that long).
Last edited by oldskool1964; August 27th, 2014 at 03:30 PM.
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (32Bit OS)
Manufacturer - Dell (Inspiron Desktop 546 Minitower)
Processor - AMD Athlon (tm) 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ 2.70 GHz
Memory - 3072MB (3 x 1024) 800MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
System Type - 32 bit
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA non Raid (7200Rpm)
Graphics - 512mb ATI Radeon HD 4350
Monitor - Acer P223W 22" LCD (using DVI)
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August 27th, 2014, 03:56 PM
#43
Know what you mean about not being worth it. To help avoid the problem of losing it all again though, you might want to start using something like EaseUS Todo Backup Free regularly. It's saved my bacon more than once.
As far as a firewall goes, the Windows firewall works for me. I'm behind a hardware firewall as well though.
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August 27th, 2014, 06:35 PM
#44
I play online poker so online security is of utmost importance. I like to see what is attempting to access the internet, ZA has always worked for me there.
Generally speaking I do back up files regularly but I nearly always have around 30-40 gig to 'check out' before deciding whether I want to keep them or not. Most of them would be retrievable by simply going back to youtube, if I can remember what they were
Last edited by oldskool1964; August 27th, 2014 at 06:49 PM.
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (32Bit OS)
Manufacturer - Dell (Inspiron Desktop 546 Minitower)
Processor - AMD Athlon (tm) 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ 2.70 GHz
Memory - 3072MB (3 x 1024) 800MHz DDR2 Dual Channel
System Type - 32 bit
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA non Raid (7200Rpm)
Graphics - 512mb ATI Radeon HD 4350
Monitor - Acer P223W 22" LCD (using DVI)
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August 27th, 2014, 07:21 PM
#45
For security I'm usually running:
All Windows Updates (except Bing)
Microsoft Security Essentials
MalwareBytes Anti-Malware Premium
MalwareBytes Anti-Exploit
Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit
Winpatrol Plus
SpywareBlaster
Secunia PSI
CCleaner
and everything is behind a Cisco Small Business firewall (router).
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