Hard Drive Blue Screen/Operating System Not Found problem

[harkstone]

My beloved T42 has become a bit of a pain. It used to boot first time every time which is what I need, I use it at work all day. For awhile now, when I turn it on, it often boots to "Operating System Not Found", or any number of Blue Screens. Typically, rebooting and pressing down firmly on the palmrest on the hard drive or even just rebooting it will boot up ok. There is nothing wrong with the hard drive/filesystem! It's getting more and more of a problem, sometimes taking 3,4, or more tries to get it going. I'm convinced it is somehow related to the drive caddy/alignment problem, or possibly to the shock sensor? Whe I first got the computer, about 8 months ago, I took the 7200rpm HDD out and replaced it with a smaller Samsung to install Linux, a couple of times. I had a very difficult time getting the drive, with the door/caddy hinge in each time. So I left the 7200 in. Didn't seem to have problems for a few months but it's acting up too often. I'm a PC tech and I use this laptop every day. But I'm not authorized to work on it, and I don't have any parts or special tools that might be needed. Recently at work a guy called and he was having the EXACT same problem with an R50. So I know I'm not the only one. I called IBM/Lenovo support and that was pointless. It would be very tough to work even a day or two without my laptop, but first I need to find someone who is FAMILIAR with this problem, knows the problem, and knows the solution. I'd like to fix it myself if possible but if I have to take it to a local service center (St. Louis area), I will. Any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated. I need this computer to run first time every time, like it used to. Thanks!

[Kyocera]

I have several drives I use in my t42, ten gigs, and 40. The ten gigs I get out of printers and R&R them to life. Before I got another hard drive caddy I used to plug them in with forceps (stupid I know, but I'm lazy). It's like playing that old game Operation if you don't get it lined up exactly it will give you the buzzer "no operating system found" also had this a couple of times before I realized one was in upside down! Yikes! I'd make sure the two screws on the rear of the drive where the black guide thing fits over the screws are tight not allowing the metal to slip under the screw allowing less space for the drive to push in. Hope that makes sense.

[harkstone]

Thanks for your reply. I've tried about everything I can think of, I've used it without the black piece, the drive bay just open. I haven't removed the drive caddy and tried just the drive though. I'm sure it is an alignment problem but i leave the drive in all the time. I just wonder if the misalignment isn't part of the inside of the drive tray, in the laptop itself. Lenovo was no help in finding a service center that could help, and the tech support in general is dismal. I've also thought about disabling startup or even uninstalling the anti-shock software. I may try that. I just don't see hoe if the drive fits, all the pins are in, how it can be so physically quirky. Thanks again!

[Kyocera]

It's hard to line the driv up correctly without at least the caddy one the drive. You might pull out the drive and shine a flashlight inside and see if every thing is Ok. You might also want to back that drive up in case it is going south.