No hard drive found using seagate seatools

4

4on4off

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Jul 10, 2012
Posts
141
Received an Acer Aspire TimelineX laptop 48330T-6841 with booting issues.

I received the following message which ever route I go:


Windows boot manager

Windows has encountered a problem communicating with a device connected to your computer.

this error can be caused by unplugging a removable storage device such as an external USB drive while the device is in use, or by faulty hardware such as a hard drive or CD-ROM drive that is failing. Make sure any removable storage is properly connected and then restart your computer.

If you continue to receive this error message, contact the hardware manufacturer.

Status: 0x00000e9

Info: An unexpected I/O error has occurred.
Click to expand...

When attempting to run Seagate Seatools diagnostic CD it detects no hard drive.

Upon inspecting the bottom of the laptop I see no apparent damage from being dropped but the cover that slides out was loose and missing a screw.

The below pic show what I found after removing the cover, a wire that is not attached. I tried connecting it the way it was lined up and also reversed with the same result.

2014-02-28 20.52.50.jpg
 
I sure would not have connected those wires in reverse. They look like pretty heavy duty power cables. Reversing polarity may have caused additional, significant damage.

If me, I would pull the notebook's HD and connect to another computer as a secondary drive (not boot) and see if it can be accessed.
 
I pulled the drive and connected it to my PC via a sati to USB bridge. When trying to access it I get the message it needs to be formatted in order to be used.

I remembered I had a puppy Linux CD and I am able to see the contents of the drive when using it.
 
If you can see the contents with your Linux CD, I would attempt to make a backup NOW of any files you don't want to lose. Then run chkdsk /r on the drive and see what happens.
 
It's been awhile since I have used the Linux CD. I will try to locate some instructions I have around here and give it a shot then try the check disk.

Thank you for the input
 
I have seen cases where Seagate Seatools fails to discover a HDD because there are no proper SATA drivers. Have you tried temporary changing AHCI to IDE in BIOS?
 
TomasD said:
I have seen cases where Seagate Seatools fails to discover a HDD because there are no proper SATA drivers. Have you tried temporary changing AHCI to IDE in BIOS?
Click to expand...

No I have not thought of that and most likely wouldn't have. I will have to fumble around with it a bit and see if I can manage it. Don't think it would hurt to try.
 
TomasD said:
I have seen cases where Seagate Seatools fails to discover a HDD because there are no proper SATA drivers. Have you tried temporary changing AHCI to IDE in BIOS?
Click to expand...

That worked. As it detected an ATA device.

stating that smart has been tripped.

I started a short test but I am not certain it is doing anything as it is not showing any progress, but I haven't used seatools for quite awhile so I don't remember what it should look like.
 
TomasD, thanks for the idea on that but while seatools did detect the device the test is sitting idle and I can't even abort it.

I might reboot and give it one more try but I think I will try backing what I can up and running Check disk.

Thank you for the input
 
Well, I managed to transfer some files using puppy Linux but now it will flash the options for f2 and f12 at start up but it is a loooong time of staring at a blank screen.

Someone has definitely mess with the hard drive before as one of the screws are missing and the wire being unhooked makes me wonder.... plus the cover on the bottom will not fit snug as if there is something in there that is bigger than it should be.
 
Digerati said:
If you can see the contents with your Linux CD, I would attempt to make a backup NOW of any files you don't want to lose. Then run chkdsk /r on the drive and see what happens.
Click to expand...


Okay, no matter how I try to boot this thing windows tries to load files and only gets so far before showing the same error in my original posts. Is there a way to run chkdsk /r from a bootable cd?

I was trying from advanced boot menu to run in safe mode with command prompt to see if I could do it that way but no go. I have other diagnostic cd's around here somewhere..

Sorry it has been so long since I have had to mess with this type of issue.
 
Okay... it appears I cannot do anything with that drive... tried accessing the acer e recovery on the hidden partition but it hangs up. Tried using a win7 disc I had to repair and or reinstall the OS but it hangs up...

I pulled a smaller drive out of a laptop I had laying around that has a bad motherboard and replaced the bad drive with it..... It boots up.

Obviously it still has all the info on the drive from the old laptop so I am wondering

I am putting a hard drive from a HP Compaq into an Acer machine (both drives had the same OS on them). When attempting to install the operating system and it asks me where I want to install it I am shown the 4 partitions with the HP recovery, HP tools, system and Primary.... Obviously the primary partition is where it needs to be installed but I am wondering...... I mean, I assume there will be an issue between the HP stuff on the drive and the Acer machine regarding drivers and all that so.......

Should I go to the advanced options and delete the other partitions before installing the operating system?

What would be the best move at this point?
 
I am putting a hard drive from a HP Compaq into an Acer machine (both drives had the same OS on them).
Click to expand...
The problem there is that is illegal. The OS license that comes with HP and Acer systems are OEM licenses and by definition, they are inextricably tied to the "Original Equipment".

As far as deleting partitions, I would - but that's me. It really is a matter of personal preference.
 
I am using a disc from a machine I built and I have spoken with Acer about what I am doing and they said it was fine. So I will proceed with deleting the partitions, reformatting and installing the operating system.
 
Understand it is not Acer's call. The Windows end user license agreement (EULA) you have is with Microsoft, not Acer. And you agreed to abide by that EULA when you decided to keep using it after you built and installed it on your computer. Retail licenses do not allow installation on two machines and OEMs don't allow transfers.

So, technically, the only way it can be "fine" is if (1) it has been "uninstalled" from your self-built AND, it was not an OEM/System Builders license - which the vast majority of all Windows licenses are. And note "upgrade licenses" are tied to the original license, and thus original equipment too.

I just want you to know the facts so you can make an informed decision.

For testing purposes, I would go for it. If it works, then you will know reversing the polarity caused no damage. But if the plan is to keep using it, you should ensure you are legal by purchasing a new Windows license, if necessary, or installing one of the many capable Linux alternatives.
 
Wait a minute......doesn't that only apply if I am using the same product key on both machines?

While I am using the disc I purchased for my machine I am using the product key that is on the Acer laptop.
 
While I am using the disc I purchased for my machine I am using the product key that is on the Acer laptop.
Click to expand...
If you purchased two legal licenses of the same version of Windows and have them installed on two machines only, then you are fine.
 
The owner of the laptop had purchased a legal license and the associated product key is what I used when reinstalling the operating system. The operating system I installed, using the disc I purchased, is the same operating system- win7 home premium 64 bit - that was on the laptop originally prior to the hard drive failure.
 
The owner of the laptop had purchased a legal license and the associated product key is what I used when reinstalling the operating system.
Click to expand...
No problem then. :)
 
Digerati said:
I sure would not have connected those wires in reverse. They look like pretty heavy duty power cables. Reversing polarity may have caused additional, significant damage.
Click to expand...

Looking at the image, they look like antenna wires to me rather than power wires. I don't see that connecting them in reverse would have done any damage. Just IMHO

Stephen
 

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