Boot/MBR issues

[AMW1]

Hi
I recently acquired a laptop from a neighbour the laptop after it had been dropped; I replaced the power jack on it and reinstalled Win 7 to get a clean start and to wipe out there data.
I now get the message “no operating system found”.

I have tried installing Linux Mint (both on its own and as a duel boot) but still get the same issue.
When installing Windows at the point where it restarts the computer it boots to the DVD and does not complete the installation on that restart but will on others/later restarts.

I can boot in on occasion usually after the computer has been off or on (via Mint boot USB or Hirren Boot CD) for a long period thou the laptop feels sluggish thou this may just be me.

I’ve tried a number of things including:-
/fixmbr and /fixboot from the Windows CD
Wiping all the partitions using Partition Wizard in HBCD
Cheacking the MBR using MBRCheck in HBCD
Using HBCD to Fix MBR
I’ve run Memtest86, Windows Memory Diagnostics (extended) and CHKDSK
Checked S.M.A.R.T info and preformed a surface scan of the disk

All of the above either didn’t work or showed no errors.

The laptop was having issues before I got the machine, I just want to know whether this issues if fix able or if the laptop needs a new hard drive, or whether to cut my losses and try to part the machine out on ebay.

Any help is appreciated
Andrew

 

[plodr]

When you go into the BIOS, is the hard drive seen?
It seems like perhaps it is not because you installed Win 7 and are now getting "no operating system found".

 

[managed]

I would disconnect then reconnect the hard drive, it may have moved due to the fall and has an intermittent connection now.

 

[AMW1]

Hi ploder and managed
The drive is visible in the BIOS I can also see the drive using live CDs/USBs.

The drive was removed when the power jack was replaced, I’ve had a feel at the drive and there is no movement on the drive when it’s screwed in place.

I turned the computer on this morning and it booted into windows first time I restarted it to install updates and got the no OS found error.

Thanks Andrew

 

[Agye]

the problem you're describing seems to be a hard drive issue but the test indicates likewise well my suggestion based on your reply is you can either check if there is an issue with the sata cable sometimes becoming loose due to the spinning of the hard drive else you have to check the hard drive again cuz it might be dying

 

[DaveBurnett]

That sounds to me as though the heads might have crashed onto the surface when it was dropped and been damaged.

 

[AMW1]

Hi
Thanks for the help, I tried the drive in another laptop and had problems booting, so from this and what everybody’s here has said its confirmed my suspicions from before i even got the machine that there was a problem with the hard drive.

I’ll keep the post open for a few more day.

Andrew

 

[managed]

I would remove all partitions then create new one(s), format (not Quick format) and then try to reinstall 7. Formatting like that can replace any bad sectors with spare ones.

EDIT : Not booting in another laptop can be caused by driver differences compared to the original laptop and so could be normal.

 

[DaveBurnett]

Allan edit: It should at least TRY to boot and likely would in safe mode.

 

[AMW1]

Hi

Reformatting the drive and reinstalling produces the same the results.

Andrew

 

[DaveBurnett]

Have you tried the disk maker's test tools on that disk.

 

[AMW1]

Hi Dave

The drive is a Toshiba so there is no test tools for it I tried Hitachi/WD tools but it did not find the drive I’ve tried the Seagate tools they found no problems.

I found a smart test on HBCD which showed a G sensor issue

Andrew

 

[DaveBurnett]

That does imply that it has suffered from the drop.
The G sensor obviously indicates how much shock there has been.

 

[managed]

Allan edit: It should at least TRY to boot and likely would in safe mode.

Maybe so Dave, I think the OP needs to tell us more about the 'boot problems' on the other laptop to be sure though.

 

[AMW1]

Hi

Just to clarify when I put the drive into another laptop it booted to window with no issues (including driver/hardware issues)
but wouldn't boot on a restart.

Andrew