Short DST-Failed

[vdubber]

Hello,
My hp2230s vista business machine which I've had since Feb2009, stopped working yesterday, as follows:

- things became oddly sluggish so I restarted the computer

- returned after 10 minutes and found the screen blank with the mouse pointer visible and the disk light flashing intermittently

- after a long wait, I did the ESC while rebooting and performed a diagnostic test

  - memory was fine

  - smart drive fine

  - "Short DST-Failed: statement (followed by), 64NH53-GFX5RG-XD6W3F-60WV03 and Hard Disk 1 Quick

My key data is secure on a cloud site but my work environment is in jeopardy.

Questions:

- Is the drive unusable?

- Can anything be recovered?

- If recoverable, can I do this myself? if so, any recommendations?

- What is my best course of action?

Would greatly appreciate any assistance.

Thanks

[DavidPK]

Hi,

It would look like your Hard Drive is failing/failed and will almost certainly need to be replaced.

One possible way to try and retrieve your files from a non-booting drive is to follow the process detailed in the link below.  The Ubuntu operating system CD you create can run from the CD alone ( ie it doesn't have to install on the Hard Drive ) and I've often found it to be successful in retrieving data even from a failing Hard Drive.  When you've created the CD, follow the instructions and see if you can back up your existing files. 

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windo...

Regards,

DP-K

[AU4U]

SHORT DST(drive self test) FAILED means the file system is corrupt and there may be bad sectors on the hard drive.
Try this:
1. Boot the computer with the Windows disc.
2. At the "Welcome to Setup" screen > press R to start the Recovery Console.
3. When prompted type "1". (if you have a multi-boot computer, select the installation you want to repair.)
4. When prompted > enter the Administrator password. If there is no password, just press ENTER.
5. Now you should be in the recovery console.
6. Type chkdsk c: /p /r > press <Enter>.
7. When the disk check is done: Type Exit > press <Enter>.
8. Take the Windows disc out and reboot.

If that doesn't work the hard drive has to be replaced. 

- Can anything be recovered?

- If recoverable, can I do this myself? if so, any recommendations?

 In most cases, Yes.
Depending on how damaged the drive is you should be able to hook it up to a computer using a USB caddy-cable and access it. If the filesystem/partion table is damaged you could possible recover it using testdisk(http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk) , and then access your files... 

[vdubber]

Thank you DPK,

I loaded up Ubuntu 8.0 that I had hanging around.  The places window only shows HP-Recovery ( was d: under windows) but not my main drive (c.  Does that mean I'm out of luck?

Thanks

[vdubber]

Thanks AU4U,

I tried what you suggested but it didn't respond to "R" and brought me to the screen that asks you to choose "normal" start or "startup" launch.  In either case, it goes into never never land with the blank screen and intermittent flashing disc light. 

I will look into your suggestion on data recovery.  Have to buy the usb caddy that you suggest.  I have never used one but it sounds as though you can insert the hard drive into it and access it via the usb port.  Is that how it works?

Meanwhile, I will be reloading everything on the new drive I just bought to get myself up and running.

I'll give you an update on how the recovery process you recommended, works for me.

Thanks again

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Try removing and then re-seating the Hard Drive - the procedure is detailed starting on Page 42 of your Maintenance & Service Guide.  Then try viewing the HDD with the Ubuntu CD again.

As suggested by AU4U, another option is to connect the HDD to another PC using an external caddy.  If this also fails, the only real option left is to use the services of a company that specialises in data recovery but this is an expensive option.

Regards,

DP-K

[vdubber]

okay; sounds good; thanks

[AU4U]

 "Have to buy the usb caddy that you suggest."

If you have an external HDD of the same form factor, open it up, swap, and use that.

But you DO have one, as that's the place you back up your REALLY REALLY important stuff, don't you?!

If the arms are fuzzed to the platter, you may get nothing at all, other than that, they will remove the platter and install it to a bench unit to recover the data.

[vdubber]

Thanks; I'll try the external box I have: I use sugarsync for my backups off-site; that's a really super product that just saved my hide during this disaster.

Regards,

[vdubber]

I reseated the disk as you suggested; now I see "SCSI Drive" icon instead of "HP Recovery"; does that tell me anything?

thanks