jaclaz

@ConfusedChimp Your symptoms are UNlike the ones of either BSY or LBA0. Now it depends only on value of the data on the hard disk and whether you can afford paying a pro to attempt a recovery. If you can/want, now is the right time to do so. If you know that you won't ever have the money for it, you can try the proposed methods, as you have "nothing to lose" see Read-Me-First:#1 and #2: The procedures substantially "reset" some data inside the hard disk "memory". This may "fix" a "generic" data corruption issue or it may not. From what you posted the preoccupying part seems to me that the device "progressively got worse" (stopping being mountable/hot swappable) which is a behaviour that doesn't sound like what corrupted data may cause (which tends to be binary, on/off or working/bricked). BTW it is also possible that something very simple happened, like dirty or corroded/oxidized contacts between PCB and hard disk. Removing the PCB and cleaning contacts before reassembling it won't do any harm so it is well worth a try. jaclaz

Not enough data to compute T8E (mk1) T8E (mk1.5) T8G (mk3) T8H (mk4) Assuming a T8E(mk1) you need to get this file (only the XP version is available on the Panasonic site): "f6fd_8_5_0_1032_d081084.exe" http://pc-dl.panasonic.co.jp/public/soft_first/cf-y_w_t_r_f8e_os/f6fd_8_5_0_1032_d081084.exe Open it with 7-zip, open the file TXTSETUP.OEM and you will find this info: So, it is a "generic" INTEL SATA driver. The actual controller should be a ICH7. Go to the Intel site, and search for the Windows 2000 "AHCI SATA" drivers: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=10609&ProdId=2101〈=eng&OSVersion=Windows%202000%20%20*&DownloadType=Software%20Archives You want to get the file: f6flpy32_57.zip open with 7-zip, etc. txtsetup.oem: jaclaz

Yes, the terms "clone", "copy", "image" and "backup" have always - one way or the other - been mixed it is very easy to get confused when using them. Some clarifications of the terminology (listed in order of "accuracy" or amount of info contained): a clone is something that is IDENTICAL (dd-like or "forensic sound") or AS SIMILAR AS needed to be exchanged for the original <- the target of a clone is another hard disk that can be used to physically replace an image is something that once restored to the original will make it IDENTICAL (dd-like or "forensic sound") or AS SIMILAR AS needed, in such a way that once restored there won't be any difference in the working of the system a copy is usually an image with a number of information to rebuild a working system, not necessarily identical to the original a backup is usually a copy with even less information and of course there are "mixed" or "intermediate" approaches. Do check these two threads: Then we'll see the details/which app or methoid is more suited for your requirements. I understand your "base" requirement, but I need to know the "final" goal, i.e. if the idea is being able to restore a corrupted operating system to a previous working "snapshot" (on same disk/partition/hardware), being able to do "bare metal" recovery, make an actual forensic sound clone/image, etc. jaclaz

The end paragraph before "The Paradox of Technology", the one in italics, starting with: Which in the end, connects us unexpectedly to the Nutrimatic Machine: http://hitchhikers.wikia.com/wiki/Nutri-Matic_Drink_Synthesizer http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/content.asp?Bnum=1385 and - conversely - to the Sirius Cybernetic Corporation: http://hitchhikers.wikia.com/wiki/Sirius_Cybernetics_Corporation whose Marketing Department definition is not very different from the one that is emerging in this thread for the Microsoft Marketing Department . I love concidences . jaclaz

Unless basic math has not been subverted lately - just for the record - being 2.45%=2.45% the condition is called "being equal" or "at the same level". In plain English is something (that was at a lower level) gets to the same level of something else, you say "it has reached" not "it has surpassed". Adding the "Windows Touch" (which should be RT) is a non-orthodox operation (and it hasn't been evidenced in the graph). The actual source: http://netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=10&qpcustomd=0&qptimeframe=W actually talks of "Windows 8 RT Touch" (this only shows how the good Neowin guys are not able to report correctly a string of text) BUT it has OBVIOUSLY mixed some data, as the report is titled: I have seen no desktops shipped with a senselessly underpowered ARM processor, but maybe I missed something? If the good guys @NetMarketShare believe in good faith that the Windows RT is a desktop operating system, they have however bigger problems than those Quality Assurance (see below) may fix . Please note that if we use the same amount of illogical procedure, we can use the 0.02% reported for "Mac OS X (no version reported)" as counter balance for the 0.02% of senselessly inserted in the report for "Windows 8 RT Touch". More generally citing a single report that has this text (top left): is not a good example of scientifical method. If you check the view filtering for "DeviceType=All" aka "Operating System Market Share": http://netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=10&qptimeframe=W&qpcustomd= Something interesting happens. The Windows 8 RT Touch that had 0.02% in "Desktop Operating System Market Share" jumps up to 0.07% while Mac OS X 10.8 and Windows 8 that had BOTH 2.45% step down to 2.17%. HOW can this happen (I mean IF data is real AND math is used correctly?) A given fixed amount divided by a larger number increases? jaclaz

Cannot the thingy cdob posted here (as .inf): http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=24566 for VIA be "converted" to txtsetup.oem format? jaclaz

One of the pillars in the study of ergonomics is this book by Donald Norman: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Design_of_Everyday_Things http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Norman The main idea is "affordance" of objects with which you interact. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affordance A plate on a door "affords" to be pushed, it is like it is shouting "hey, push me", a round bar, of a suitable diameter and length "affords" to be gripped by the hand, it's like shouting "hey grip me", etc. Besides the fact that the only thing the NCI "affords" is to be switched off, do check page #29 on google book's preview: http://books.google.it/books?id=w8pM72p_dpoC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false There is a clear example about the "generic risk" the MS guys are taking . jaclaz

...as well as Horny Mike puts horns everywhere... http://www.hornymike.com/ in the case of Phaenius there is no need to add them, as they (some horns I mean) will grow spontaneously out of boredom over the time he will be able to fix (or replace ) that sound card/system. jaclaz

The usually recommended Virtual environment (by me) that can run on *any* hardware/OS (of course within limits) is Qemu. Running under Windows (NT family) there is a nice GUI frontend for it, Qemu Manager, which is strongly recommended : http://www.davereyn.co.uk/download.htm Generally speaking VMware (and VirtualBox) are NOT "ideal" environments to test a bootable CD for the install of a NT based system because they use "proprietary" (virtual) hardware that needs specific drivers. Qemu, on the other hand uses "standard" (virtual) hardware which drivers are already included in any NT OS install, particularly a NT installed in a Qemu VM will use the Microsoft "Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE" which will prevent the common on other VM's STOP ERROR 0x0000007b. Testing a .ISO through an image on a USB stick is an exercise in futility as it implies at least two layers of complexity (grub4dos to map the .iso in "text mode" and a NT driver such as Winvblock or Firadisk for "GUI mode") to which, in your specific case you would need to add a third layer (the PLoP bootmanager to add a USB stack to your BIOS), in practice everything and the contrary of everything can happen in such a setup . Please note how Qemu is slower than other virtual machine solutions, but at the same time it is more "similar" to real hardware. If you are willing to install XP/2003 from USB, take your time on the dedicated forum, several different tools/approaches available: http://www.msfn.org/board/forum/157-install-windows-from-usb/ If you are going to experiment with PLoP, this might come of use: jaclaz

That seems like a (bad) joke. However: http://www.veodin.com/windows-shortcuts/windows-8-explorer-shortcuts/ CTRL+C and CTRL+V are there allright. jaclaz

Yep , and I was referring to the fact that they are two completely different examples. In the case of anything advertised as "contact cleaner", it WILL clean contacts (BUT there may exist more cheap products/chemicals that can clean contacts AS WELL or even BETTER). In the case of anything advertised as "lightning protection", it WON'T actually protect from an actual lightning strike (AND there is NO way on earth that you can protect something connected to a cable from a lightning strike on the cable). I hope you can see the differences. jaclaz

In certain conditions it should be possible to issue a Safe Erase ATA command. See: https://ata.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/ATA_Secure_Erase http://tinyapps.org/docs/wipe_drives_hdparm.html jaclaz

Not really. I was talking of physics impossibilities. You see, a lightning is by definition a burst of voltage ranging in the several hundred thousands/millions volts range. It actually strikes because of this voltage being far superior to the dielectric properties of air. Electricity (just like water and most natural forces) tend to have an implicit , built in, Occam's Razor and will flow following the easier path. When something really high voltage is flowing down a conductor (a cable in this case) you cannot stop it UNLESS the length of the whatever you attempt using for stopping it and it's insulation with respect to the media (air) in which it is immersed has so high dielectric properties as to avoid making an arc outside that *whatever* (or there is an easier way to ground). Will it stop a marginal surge due to a lightning strike in the vicinity? Possibly yes. Will it stop an actual lightining strike? NO, no chance. Have you ever seen with your own eyes (not in a picture/video) a CAT 777? (or driven it? ) Do you have an idea of how big, heavy, sturdy, tough it is? Try stopping the lightning that did this to one of them: http://www.miningmayhem.com/2012/08/lightning-strike-on-777.html jaclaz

@dencorso JFYI, whenever you read "lightning protection" you can be sure that it won't protect anything from an actual lightning. @Phaenius As expected , no way to know whether it is AC or DC, let alone the voltage or frequency if AC. Field telephones have been used as a method of torture : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_telephone and their ringer generator provided around 90 V AC at 20 Hz: http://olive-drab.com/od_electronics_ee8.php jaclaz

Leave alone the fact that it is a 7200.12 for the moment. There are two ATA passwords levels. User and Master (or Max and High) Which one is set on the disk? Is the scope "unlocking the disk" or "unlocking the disk AND recover it's current contents"? jaclaz

The usual note about the use of "legacy" outside of it's meaning as a sort of pejorative term: http://homepage.ntlworld.com./jonathan.deboynepollard/FGA/legacy-is-not-a-pejorative.html jaclaz

I would like to know: How EXACTLY you measured the voltage on the TV cable (and determined that it was 220 V and AC). Whether you have tested the amount of current you can draw from that TV cable. That thingy there is seemingly a surge protector/ground decoupler/breaker (BTW sold in Italy on e-bay as "lightning protection ): http://www.ebay.it/itm/CAVO-PROTEZIONE-DA-FULMINI-TEMPORALI-PER-CAVI-ANTENNA-TV-SEPARATORE-GALVANICO-/170729105041 (let's say very, very low power lightnings ) Better descriptions: http://www.ebay.com/itm/XANTECH-GROUND-BREAKER-FEED-THROUGH-SURGE-PROTECTOR-063400-634-00-/230839719974 http://www.anteipaolucci.it/protezioni-e-separatori-galvanici/7139-protezione-separatore-galvanico.html This is also very similar: http://shop.digital-devices.de/094724 Wijipedia to the rescue: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheath_current_filter very likely that thingy there is a capacitive coupler, similar to this DIY (German): http://www.vdr-wiki.de/wiki/index.php/Mantelstromfilter jaclaz

Well, no. jaclaz did NOT suggest to install grub4dos anywhere, his suggestion was to use grldr as the no-emulation bootsector of the actual CD. And of course sharing the actual EXACT specific menu.lst you put up would be actually "sharing" your solution. Anyway, the main thing is that your problem was solved. jaclaz

Basically this error means "the motor has received a spinup command but it does not spin". As seen above this can be caused by failing contacts (and I cannot see how exactly you are testing them, in any case make sure they are clean). On spin up a DC motor will attemp to draw a lot of power and - just for the record - it can be DANGEROUS for the integrity of the electronic components on the PCB when the contacts are not good as some overcurrent can be created, but before hypotizing a serious malfunctioning of the motor the issue could be caused by simple "stiction". It is not rare, particularly with disks that have been not powered up for a long time. In some cases keeping the disk vertical when spinning up is enough to "free" the motor. If nothing changes, next advice is to attempt some light "percussive maintenance". Put under the disk (still vertical) some thick cloth or a rubber pad (like a mouse pad, the thick, gummy type). Leave a corner of the hard disk (on the side where connectors are, i.e. opposite to where the patters/motors are) lying on the pad and use it as hinge. Lift the other side a couple of centimeters and when you issue the spinup command, let it fall on the pad. jaclaz

Well, I have the advantage on you, as I started believing that (and asked for at least the sheer minimum of missing info) on post #4. Generally speaking there are TWO main kinds of these thingies. The first, more common, is where the cable is a cable and in the actual case there is one (or more than one, example dual USB/Firewire external drive cases) and the second (more dated) design where the cable is actually a converter and the case is just a case (with optionally the power supply). As an example I do have an Archos CD drive (one of those little gizmo's that you will need to pry out of my dead fingers ) that : has internally a "normal" laptop half height CD drive (IDE) AA rechargeable batteries a connector with "standard" IDE connection/pins (proprietary as "format" but seemingly "standard" as actually pins/signals present in it) a cable with this connector on one side and a PCMCIA card on the other side <- the actual PCMCIA to IDE conversion happens here The thingy doubles as a portable CD player (think "Sony Walkman") as it sports a an Audio Out jack and came with earplugs , here is a (rare) picture of it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lecteur-CD-PCMCIA-ARCHOS-compatible-Toshiba-Libretto-100CT-110CT-/321058364163?pt=FR_GH_Informatique_Stockage_Lecteurs_Graveurs_Test&hash=item4ac091db03 Later versions (which were not anymore also a Music CD Player ) had the double option of the PCMCIA or USB cable: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Archos-MX6MiniCD-External-MiniCD-Drive-CDS-1-T24-/190613425523 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Archos-PCST341-1-pcmcia-laptop-Adapter-/220741442785?pt=US_Internal_Port_Expansion_Cards&hash=item3365371ce1 http://www.archos.com/support/download/spec_sheets/archos_minicd24_usb2_en.pdf Additionally, a "rare" PS/2 "power stealer": http://www.ciao.co.uk/Archos_Technology_Power_adapter_Power_DC_jack_6_pin_mini_DIN_PS_2_style__5773454 And a firewire "cable" (adapter cable): http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00009MKMM/ref=asc_df_B00009MKMM11?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=ciaouk-ce-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B00009MKMM jaclaz

Yep, you may be correct , but life is tough and rarely "fair" For NO apparent reason : @Phaenius Really, there is no real reason to get angry, some misunderstandings/misreferencing can happen to everyone . @submix8c Come on, Phaenius hasn't signed a contract to clean his PC within a deadline, and it's his PC, and he actually having an issue. I do understand how bearing the suspence is tough, but ....come on jaclaz

Oww, come on. If the OS detects *something* and attempts to load a driver for it - no matter if it fails to find one or if it stops with a code 10 - *something* is actually connected. It is the HOW this (the connection) happens that is completely missing from the first post and that ppgrainbow insists on omitting as well as a more generally complete description of the setup. This is actually a form of flattery as it evidently implies that the OP attributes us (and to our crystal balls, tarots, I-ching, etc.) divinatory capabilities far beyond the ones we actually have. jaclaz

I guess you are missing a point. IF you have to actually do something (like "work") you need to play hide & seek to find something useful for that. IF you just want to: know what time is it know how is the weather know how bad the Dow Jones is going (only to look informed when talking with your father of the money HE made through working and currently is losing in the stock exchenge) follow witty twits write witty comments on your friends pages on facebook read the the witty comments your friends wrote on your facebook page watch some lousy low resolution videos on youtube get senseless mails from your friends and reply senseless to them (no less than 10 per hour) look on the internet for some (you choose: porn/music/movies) play online with your friends (or with your foes, it's all the same as long as it is "social" and "fun") call or video call every other friend through Skype or similar Everything is ready before you, you don't have to learn anything, nor to look for anything more (there is simply no need for it). About items #1, #2, there are known alternatives, see: jaclaz

INvolution of the species? How did people used a PC at all before WIndows (and without a GUI/pointing device)? The "smartifying" (or supposedly so) of the OS/UI is an evident trend. Point is why exactly it should IMPLY the dumbifying of the user powers or downright of the users themselves or FORCE them to do something ONLY in a given fixed way (BTW, in the case of NCI, the most stupid/unconvenient among all possible ones). For NO apparent reason : jaclaz

A small step for a man, a giant leap for the sanity of mankind..... jaclaz