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Thread ID: 98780 2009-04-06 20:40:00 Bootsector poked? Paul Ramon (11806) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
762821 2009-04-06 20:40:00 I have a Dell Vista HP computer back for repair which keeps loosing it's boot sector. It's not a major problem - yet, as it takes only 10 min to restore from the Vista repair disk but it has been happening every 6 weeks or so.
The machine is about 6mths out of warranty (typical!) and I have scanned for bootsector virus's - nil, and bad sectors - nil. Its a Western Digital HDD so have even used their proprietry HDD software to check.
All software installed is legitimate, Vista compatable & standard i.e. Microsoft Office 2007, i-tunes, Adobe Reader 9 etc etc but the problem persists.

Any clever techs out there with a solution.

Main problem is the computer belongs to a relative who doesn't think I should charge her lol!!
Paul Ramon (11806)
762822 2009-04-06 21:46:00 Try running a chkdsk...from the vista recovery CD Blam (54)
762823 2009-04-06 22:10:00 Try running a chkdsk...from the vista recovery CD

Yep, tried that. Also chkdsk /r, chkdsk /p, chkdsk /f etc. Forgot to mention the BIOS settings are all OK too.
Paul Ramon (11806)
762824 2009-04-06 22:39:00 Have you tried a vista repair install? Blam (54)
762825 2009-04-07 03:17:00 Run the hard drive manufacturers diagnostic software. pctek (84)
762826 2009-04-07 03:56:00 He already said he did


Its a Western Digital HDD so have even used their proprietry HDD software to check.
bevy121 (117)
762827 2009-04-07 05:54:00 It's not a major problem - yet, as it takes only 10 min to restore from the Vista repair disk but it has been happening every 6 weeks or so.
Its a Western Digital HDD so have even used their proprietry HDD software to check.

Still got me stumped...:confused:
Paul Ramon (11806)
762828 2009-04-07 07:04:00 Try this - click start - type in performance - in the results open performance and Reliability . When it opens, select "Reliability"

Look at the graph - at the times there has been a problem there will be a red circle with a white X - click that, in the results there will be expanded out what caused the problem - What does it report .
wainuitech (129)
762829 2009-04-16 23:30:00 Try this - click start - type in performance - in the results open performance and Reliability . When it opens, select "Reliability"

Look at the graph - at the times there has been a problem there will be a red circle with a white X - click that, in the results there will be expanded out what caused the problem - What does it report .

I have just done another repair on this machine:angry
The error given under the Reliability monitor just states ' Boot error', so I'm still stumped as to why this HDD does this . Any other ideas out there???:confused:
Paul Ramon (11806)
762830 2009-04-17 07:12:00 Try another hdd (install Vista and drivers, but dont authorise :) (the recovery disk install may complain if installing to a different size or brand of hdd, worth a try though)) to eliminate any motherboard issues, if it doesnt kill the boot sector on that drive, there's your answer (1st drive is dying). feersumendjinn (64)
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