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A disk read error occurred
Description
The partition boot record was reading data from the drive and received a disk error.
This could be due to damage to the file system, bad boot record information or a problem with the hard disk.
Sample Screen
A disk read error occurred Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart
Key Facts
Full Title
A disk read error occurred Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart
You can use Windows Recovery Console to fix a number of problems. First boot from your Windows boot CD/DVD. We recommend you use a version that matches the OS service pack installed on your system (i.e. if you have Vista SP1, use a Vista SP1 DVD).
Go into the Vista Recovery Console or XP Recovery Console . For Vista, a the option "Startup Repair" should take care of it. For XP, you'll need to go through the command prompt and type: chkdsk c: /r to validate and fix errors in the file system. Next you'll repair the boot record by typing at the command prompt: fixboot
Solution 2 of 3 - Check Hard Disk and Cables
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If you had changed, added or removed hard drives, or changed or removed drive cabling, likely something is wrong. Recheck that the drives are properly installed and the cabling has not changed. Switching cables to different motherboard connectors or changing the master/slave drive jumpers (on old ATA drives) can cause this problem. In some systems, the cables were not plugged into the drive or motherboard securely and may have worked loose. Reseat all drive connectors.
It's also possible a hard drive is failing. Use a system diagnostic to validate the drive or swap to another hard disk.
If you skipped any of the prior solutions, you may want to return and try them out. These next options are when all else fails!
Remove the system hard drive and replace it with a blank drive. Install a fresh copy of Windows. If this works, it's unlikely to be a hardware issue. At worse, it may be time to start over with a fresh copy of Windows, although reinstalling your applications may make the problem reoccur.
Send the PC in for repair - someone else can deal with it!
Time for a new PC?
Consider a MAC, but wait - they can have similar hard-to-solve issues and you'd have to buy all new applications.
Use your PC as a boat anchor and go for a drink.
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