Acer Aspire One D150 netbook problem

mr_vampy

Hi,
I have an Acer Aspire One D150 netbook running Windows XP and have been having problems booting up today. When I turn the netbook on, after the Acer screen comes on asking me to choose F2 to setup or F12 to change boot order, it carrys on and then comes up with

INtel UNDI, PXE 2-1 (build 082)
Copyright (C) 1997-2000 Intel Corporation
For Atheros PCIE Ethernet Controller v1.0.0.13(2008/10/15)

after 15 seconds or so it says......
"Check cable connection..!
PXE-M0F: Exiting Intel PXE ROM
No bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key

As i have no boot disk I tried to run a restore factory default reset using the Acer ERecovery Management software by pressing Alt and F10 but after clicking it, it comes up with:-

"Restore failed - Error code=1005 (the volume does not contain a recognise file system. Please make sure that all required file system drivers are loaded and that the volume is not corrupted.)

When I go into the bios, the info HDD model name and serial number is completely blank, as if there was no hard disk there. Does it sound like the hard drive is knackered?
Any info and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance

mr_vampy

paddyrg

The MBR or whole disk is hosed, you're right. Can you use pendrivelinux.com to make a USB live linux install which you can boot from? If you can, and boot from it, you may be able to mount the drive (if it is 'just' the MBR) to get your data off before replacing it.

mr_vampy

Thanks for your reply. I've not got the netbook on hand now, but will try what you suggest tomorrow. I'm not familiar with Linux at all.

paddyrg

Don't be scared, that's linux lesson #1. Use pendrivelinux.com's tool to turn any pendrive/usb stick into a bootable linux of your choice. I suggest Ubuntu or Mint as they are very familiar for windows users. You may need to choose a different linux flavour, though, if your usb stick isn't very big! Once the pendrivelinux tool has sone its job (it copies over the linux files and makes the usb stick bootable), stick it in the USB slot of your laptop and hope it will boot from USB (some will, some won't). If it doesnt't boot from USB then have a look in the computer BIOS settings in case it can be enabled, someone here is bound to talk you through that if you need it

If this all feels a bit daunting, it isn't really. Things will be a bit different and you will learn stuff along the way, but will hopefully come away feeling more confident with PC's at the end of it!