Err1Err3

HP Pavilion m8277c desktop
Vista Home Premium

Earlier today, I booted up the computer and got the following message:

"disk read error, press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart". When I do that, it
just takes me right back to that same message. I also tried booting into
system Set-up, and choosing "Load System Defaults", but that didn't work,
either.

Finally, when I tried booting to F11 System Recovery, it took a very long
time (~ 10 minutes), then I got the "Err1Err3" message.

Now, in an attempt to recover data, I've connected the hard drive to a
second working computer. All I get are repeating sounds of the drive
connecting/disconnecting, and pop-ups with "need to format Drive J (and K)
before use".

Are these symptoms of a failing hard drive? Is there a chance my data is
lost? All suggestions and input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

On Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:03:47 -0700, Dell Christopher wrote:

> HP Pavilion m8277c desktop
> Vista Home Premium
>
> Earlier today, I booted up the computer and got the following message:
>
> "disk read error, press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart". When I do that, it
> just takes me right back to that same message. I also tried booting into
> system Set-up, and choosing "Load System Defaults", but that didn't work,
> either.
>
> Finally, when I tried booting to F11 System Recovery, it took a very long
> time (~ 10 minutes), then I got the "Err1Err3" message.
>
> Now, in an attempt to recover data, I've connected the hard drive to a
> second working computer. All I get are repeating sounds of the drive
> connecting/disconnecting, and pop-ups with "need to format Drive J (and K)
> before use".
>
> Are these symptoms of a failing hard drive? Is there a chance my data is
> lost? All suggestions and input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Sounds very much like the drive has died, rather like Monty Python's
parrot.

If you have a backup, restore to a new drive and proceed.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)