Error 2100: HDD0 (HardDisk Drive) initialization error (2)

[dav1129]

Hallo.
I have a failed HDD.
In the past I have usually been able to help myself to at least retrieve any data from the HDD.
But this time the problem seems to be different. If it has any bearing, this is the first time since upgrading to Windows 7 and operating for I can't remember how long, since without any issues.
As I always have in the past, this HDD is formatted with a separate partitions (1) for the OS and program files, and (2) for my data. This has usually this been enough to retrieve my data by installing the drive in a second Thinkpad using a second HDD adapter and retrieving the data. These days I also keep most of my data is on a NAS but I do have some folders on a D:\ or Data drive which I would like to retrieve.

This time however I cannot even 'see' the drive at all. Not when I try to boot from it, or as a second HDD using an adapter. So this time, I seem stuck, unable to help myself:
In the first instance, I get the Error 2100: HDD0 (Hard Disk Drive) initialization error (2) when booting from the drive.
When I press ESC to continue, the computer to initialize or something and from memory, I think displays an 'unable to boot from device' screen and shows the status for the devices without any operating systems.
When I try the same with the affected HDD but this time with an installation disc inserted, I do not see the 'Press any key to boot from CD or DVD'. By the way unlike before with XP, neither Win7 ThinkPad I have, seems to boot automatically from the optical drive giving you the 'Press any key to boot from CD or DVD' option. I have to select F12 to select an optical drive from the BOOT List. Is this normal? If so, it's news to me.

Anyway, and instead boot goes to this screen:

https://wpcf.neosmart.net/sites/5/2013/ ... -error.png

Except that above the Status line read: Title: \Boot\BCD

And the Info line instead reads: An error occurred while trying to read from the boot configuration data.

With the affected HDD I seem to be stuck in this loop. Whereas when I try the same with a different HDD either in of two T6x ThinkPads I have, I do then seem to progress to the 'Press any key to boot from CD or DVD' option.

Just to be sure I have swapped HDDs and put a T60 HDD into the affected T61p and again seem able to progress to the 'Press any key to boot from CD or DVD' option ruling out I hope any hardware issue in the T61p other than the affected HDD.

Just prior to the failure, the system or trying to type seemed to hang for no apparent reason, while changing screen or finding the cursor sometimes took forever. At the time it was very hot and I suspected possible malicious software.

In hindsight, I suspect I missed the obvious signs hat the HDD was probably failing and should have backed up.

Can anyone recognise the problem and help me to get the HDD up and running if only, long enough to recover some folders and files?

[ajkula66]

Can anyone recognise the problem and help me to get the HDD up and running if only, long enough to recover some folders and files?

Try placing the drive into an external USB carrier and see whether you can access the files from there, using one of your healthy systems.

Good luck.

[dav1129]

Try placing the drive into an external USB carrier and see whether you can access the files from there, using one of your healthy systems. Good luck.

thanks but ah, I did mention that I already tried this, as it has always been my tried and true method in the past.....

just a reminder

..... this has usually this been enough to retrieve my data by installing the drive in a second ThinkPad using a second HDD adapter and retrieving the data. These days I also keep most of my data is on a NAS but I do have some folders on a D:\ or Data drive which I would like to retrieve.

This time however I cannot even 'see' the drive at all......

I don't have one and anyway I don't think a strictly external USB carrier would behave any different to a 2nd HDD adapter.

anyone with any useful suggestions?

[RealBlackStuff]

There are programs with which you can try and fix booting, such as
Visual BCD: https://www.boyans.net/
EasyBCD: http://neosmart.net/EasyBCD/
Linux Bootrepair: https://sourceforge.net/projects/boot-repair-cd/

What happens if you put that HD in an adapter, connect it to another PC/laptop with Windows and call up: diskmgmt.msc
Does it see it then?

[ajkula66]

I don't have one and anyway I don't think a strictly external USB carrier would behave any different to a 2nd HDD adapter.

In my not-so-limited experience, USB adapters have slower transfer speeds IRL than the 2nd bay ones, which sometimes allows for accessing the files that are not "seen" otherwise when one is dealing with a damaged/defective drive. That's one of the reasons I always have both at my disposal.

anyone with any useful suggestions?

An attitude adjustment towards the people who are trying to help you out might be a good start...

[dav1129]

An attitude adjustment towards the people who seeking to help you out might be a good start...

I am normally always very careful in this respect. on the other hand and most frustrating for those wishing to help, are posters seeking help who then don't include sufficient detail. I went to some trouble to include as much detail as I could and n this critical and frustrating moment, felt the reply demonstrated that you had not properly read it.

In my not-so-limited experience, USB adapters have slower transfer speeds IRL than the 2nd bay ones, which sometimes allows for accessing the files that are not "seen" otherwise when one is dealing with a damaged/defective drive. That's one of the reasons I always have both at my disposal..

I was quietly suspecting this was the reason for the suggestion. it would have helped had you mentioned this in your post

thanks nonetheless

[dav1129]

There are programs with which you can try and fix booting, such as
Visual BCD: https://www.boyans.net/
EasyBCD: http://neosmart.net/EasyBCD/
Linux Bootrepair: https://sourceforge.net/projects/boot-repair-cd/

thanks

What happens if you put that HD in an adapter, connect it to another PC/laptop with Windows and call up: diskmgmt.msc
Does it see it then?

no

[RealBlackStuff]

Try any one of these, it/they may work: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/filerecov ... ograms.htm
If not, find a nice burial spot in your backyard...