Thread: clicking noise and no bootable cd in atapi cd-rom

I'd say your hard drive is pwpped.

For something to try, disconnect the computer from the power adapter, and remove the battery. Then press and hold the start button for about 20+ seconds. This may discharge any capacitors, as a type of reset.

Thank you for the suggestion. Gave it a try but the problem remains.

In doing more web searching on this error issue, although as M. Bean suggested the hard drive is/has failed, it may be an issue where some preset recovery data on the drive the Toshiba BIOS settings uses is corrupt. This error also occurs when trying new installs on new replacement drives in these laptops. One success apparently was to remove the drive, then slave that to a different computer and...

I certainly don't have that, nor do I have the knowledge to try such a thing. I know someone who has helped with other issues in the past. Is that worth trying (to recover whatever hasn't been saved since my last backup)? I'm not interested in having this as a functional computer, I'd just love to get some sentimental files off of it.

There are different ways to get files from that drive, though all would require removing it and then using the other methods. The check disk procedure I am suggesting is an attempt to effect repairs (not any "recovering") to again access the Windows install. But if you have someone there you know who has helped in the past, perhaps they will have their own ideas and methods to use that might help...

Thank you for you time and help.

Sorry - I was not correct for file removals needing the drive removed. This person was able to do that using a Knoppix CD, for one idea.