Disk error

Kiri-shiba · #1 (**permalink**) 19-01-2006, 06:19 AM

Hi there

I have a toshiba tecra 8000 that I had been working with some quite some time. Now a few weeks back, I tried to work with it again but the 'Disk Error' thing always came up on screen.

I have no idea what this means. Problem though is that I have lost the bootdisk.

Can someone please advise me what to do?

Thanks

jephree · #2 (**permalink**) 19-01-2006, 06:40 AM

From a brief search I see that laptop has a floppy drive. You can use the Microsoft 6 floppy boot disks to access the Recovery Console. Depending on the way that Toshiba setup their OEM XP this may or may not work. If it does not you will need to get a Toshiba disk.

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

Quote:

If you cannot boot into Windows I would suggest first trying the Recovery Console:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;307654

To try to fix the boot:

Assuming that your XP is on C: then:

Type:

FIXMBR C:

then enter. After that completes type:

FIXBOOT C:

then enter. After that completes type:

BOOTCFG /rebuild

then enter. After that completes type:

EXIT

then reboot.

If in the process you are asked to run chkdsk say YES.

Also after the BOOTCFG /rebuild you will be prompted to:

C:\Windows
1. Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All):
2. Enter Load Identifier: (Custom description for an operating system loading from the Boot menu)
3. Enter Operating System Load Options: (that is: /fastdetect)

Reply:
1. Yes
2. XP
3. /fastdetect

Kiri-shiba · #3 (**permalink**) 19-01-2006, 07:15 AM

Hi jephree

Thanks for the prompt response. I cannot access windows so I would try the recovery console. Hope this would solve the problem.

Thanks again.

Kiri-shiba · #4 (**permalink**) 19-01-2006, 10:49 AM

Sorry But Im back again.

The laptop had no floppy disk drive, only cd. I have downloaded the boot disk and save it on my computer. problem is that I need 6 disks. I try to add 'cd' instead of 'a' but cant since boot disk needs disk. Does that mean that I cant downloaded this file to a cd?

Please help.

jephree · #5 (**permalink**) 20-01-2006, 02:05 AM

Not directly no. If you create the 6 floppies you might be able to use this method to transfer them to CD:

http://www.bootdisk.com/nero.htm

moejoe432 · #6 (**permalink**) 21-01-2006, 07:26 AM

Is this error say anthing like
cyclic redundancy check error?

Kiri-shiba · #7 (**permalink**) 22-01-2006, 03:15 AM

Hi moejoe432

Thanks. The only words that appear on the screen after turning it on is Disk error. Sometimes it would say Insert system disk. Problem is I have no system disk and the laptop does not have any floppy disk compart. At the moment I'm trying to follow what jephree had proposed - to download bootdisk to a floppy and again conevrt the files to a cd as the laptop has one.

Just a question of interest - is an XP Home diffferent from a XP Pro? It's funny I forgot whether this laptop is an XP Home or Pro.

Thanks again.

jephree · #8 (**permalink**) 22-01-2006, 03:44 AM

Yes. As you will note from this link the boot disks for the two are different.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

The Toshiba Tecra 8000 was originally shipped with '95; '98; or NT. You must have had an upgrade.

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/t...ceghdgngdgmm.0

Hard to say... can only guess... if upgraded from Win2K it would definitely be Pro.

If upgraded from 9X it could be either. Best guess is Pro if it was at some point a business laptop; Home if it was not.

Don't think it would hurt to try either at this point. If it is the wrong version it will most likely let you know.

Kiri-shiba · #9 (**permalink**) 22-01-2006, 06:19 AM

Thanks jephree. I'll try the XP Pro first. If nothing happens then the Home Ed. I'll post whatever the result.

Thanks again for the assistance.