Hi,

I have a compaq laptop.Whenever i switch it on there is a "Non -system disk or No disk" error message on the screen.
I tried the diagnostic tool provided by HP but no use.

Do you think the hard drive is corrupt? Is there no way to recover the data?
I had a lot of important information too :-((

Please help....any advises will be highly appreciated.

Thanks

you could try XP recovery console but I would be supprised if it can help with that error. Does it make nocking noises when it you switch it on? The data may still be on the drive, your best option if the recovery console does not help is to get a converter cable to convert it so it fits on a desktop pc and add it as a second drive and try remove the data that way. Make sure you dont have any usb pens or similar left in the laptop as it could be trying to boot from one of those.

Thanks neek,

I tried recovery console but didn't help.
It does make all the noises...so i believe the data must be there!!!!!
I'm not bothered about the hard drive, it's the data on it.
But, how can i use it as a second drive on to my desktop?

maplins sell adaptors (cheaper on ebay) for about £10 which just convert the small ide connector on a laptop hard drive to the bigger one used by normal hard drives. you connect it up and just blug it into one of the space IDE slots on your motherboard or where you cd/dvd drive is if you dont have a spare slot. I am assuming it has XP on it. You can then boot up you PC and all being good the laptop hard drive wil be assigned a drive letter and you can copy the data off it.

Thanks Neek,

Do you have any idea what the adaptor is called (excuse my ignorance)???

It may seem obvious, but there's definitely no floppy disc or CD in the drive(s)? If I had a pound for every time...
Neek may be on about this http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=28724&source=2001&doy=search

I can highly recommend this:

http://www.directusbstore.co.uk/cnb/shop/directusbstore?productID=375&search=usb+ide&op=catalogue-product_info-null

All external and plugs into USB so you don't have to mess opening your PC.

I can highly recommend this:

http://www.directusbstore.co.uk/cnb/shop/directusbstore?productID=375&search=usb+ide&op=catalogue-product_info-null

All external and plugs into USB so you don't have to mess opening your PC.

That looks like a damned useful tool to have actually :cool:

Hi,

I was able to retrive all the data.....all your ideas worked.Thank you very much for all the advise!!!!!!

I can highly recommend this:

http://www.directusbstore.co.uk/cnb/shop/directusbstore?productID=375&search=usb+ide&op=catalogue-product_info-null

All external and plugs into USB so you don't have to mess opening your PC.

Yeh, Maplins sell them, They look very useful...