No drivers were found "P-6860FX"

Hi guys, How are you doin'

When I have a problem I am coming to this web site,,, First of all, thanks for this, I mean being a helpful forum having nice people anyway,,,

I have a P-6860FX and I have a problem which is related HDD. I think Hard disk drive is about to die. A few days ago, suddenly the desktop freezed. I shut down the computer and I tried to turn it on but it said "there is no operation system or something" then I tried to setup Vista again but after menu it called "Install Now" it didn't list any hard disk's drives, it was like, no HDD or something:S It reported "No drivers were found" :S I connected USB HDD and I tried to setup Vista at that time the drives listed and I installed Vista to bad HDD. Also, I couldn't install Vista to USB HDD, that's another story. Anyhow I installed Vista to bad HDD it took long time. When the computer turned to the desktop was freezing again, I couldn't do anything, I couldn't backup any of my folders :S

The moral of story, the HDD is bad, it is about to die. Windows sometimes recognize it sometimes not. And I bought this computer exactly one year ago June 2, 2008 ,,and I don't think there is any guarantee or warrant or whatever you call. Is there?

What should I do? I think, I should make a contact with Gateway? I can't go Bestbuy (where I bought this computer) I don't think Bestbuy can help me, can they?

Thanks

 

Unless you want to buy another hd I wouldnt go back to bestbuy heh....
You might be able to try getting a new harddrive through gateway or maybe the hd itself has a warranty.... do you know what manufacturer produced the faulty drive?

OR

Save yourself time and potentially wasted effort by just buying a new drive such as a 7200rpm 500 drive from newegg for about $140..... or just a replacement drive 5400rpm 320 drive for cheaper

 

Is your USB HDD a 2.5" removeable drive? If so, I recommend swapping it out to verify that in fact your HDD is bad; it could be your HDD controller or something else. IIRC, I was able to instal Vista on my USB HDD fairly easily on my P6860-FX. It shouldn't be too hard to get your hands on another 2.5" HDD to diagnose it. Otherwise you might ask BestBuy or a local computer repair shop if they have a diagnosis service and what it costs.

 

Thanks guys for responding.

I've got this response;

"Thank you for contacting Gateway. I’ll be happy to assist you with the Hard Drive issue.

As per our records your computer is out of warranty and I am sorry to inform you that, I am unable to offer support for this type of issue. However, we are more than happy to assist you in finding resolutions to your issue. We do offer a phone-based support options for Out of Warranty products that also covers "How Do I" questions as well.

"Answers by Gateway" is a convenient and affordable fee based technical support service that is great for answering "how to" questions or technical issues once the product warranty has expired. With your purchase of the service you would have instant access to our Highly Trained agents.

You may call 1.800-229-1103. However, it's a fee based support. Calling cards are available for 30 minutes ( $59.99 ), 90 minutes ( $129.99 ), or 15 issues ( $199.99 ) and the validity will be 1 year.

Another option is that you can approach a local technician.

For further clarifications please visit our web site http://www.support.gateway.com/"

As you can see,
I think, I have to buy new HDD and set it up, even tough I have no idea what kind of HDD I have to buy and I have no idea how to open laptops, :S

Starcub, I have an External-USB HDD Toshiba 250GB and I can't install Vista on it, somehow :S

 

Installing a new hdd on a 6860fx is very easy. What you want is any standard sata 2.5" hard drive. A 320gb 7200rpm drive is very fast and runs about $80.

Open the large harddrive panel on the bottom of the laptop, pull out the harddrive and put in the new one. Its just some screws you gotta deal with.

Edit: $80 when buying online... prices are much more inflated if you go to a brick-and-mortar electronics store like Best Buy. In an out-of-warranty case like this, it'd be easiest to accept that harddrives do fail, and just eat the cost of buying a new one. Don't waste any money on that support line or whatever.

 

Yeah ,, I already took it out. It was very easy just like you wrote it.

I think I am going to buy this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148336

What do you think?

 

That one is definitely compatible.

 

I ordered it already,
Thanks again,

 

The HDD came,
Now I am using it. It seems fast. Thanks a lot guys,,,,

By the way, I've been seen your signatures you guys are using nice CPUs (T9300) and @t3rR0r ,,,you are using RAID 0.....I got jealous with these...
I think I am going to buy one more HDD which I have now, and I think I am going to do RAID 0,,

Also, I'd like to buy new CPU because I am having trouble with mine (T5550 1.83GHz). While I am trying to play game (for example, Call of Duty World at War) the CPU gets so hot and the computer gets shut down. :S In addition, last night I was trying to render some videos on Sony Vegas Pro the computer shut down, again. :S

I was looking at T9300 on Newegg.com http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819111001 wow This CPU was pretty expensive, I said to myself.
Is there any way to buy this CPU (T9300) with good price? Second hand, Used whatever you call it? Is anyone selling their CPUs?

Thanks

 

Try Ebay... its about the best place for getting CPU's

 

How much should it be for on second hand/used?
170 USD 200USD ?

 

A new T9300 would help with video work, but you could probably fix the overheating issue by using compressed air to clean your vents, and/or replacing the thermal compound on the CPU's heatsink. If you're not undervolting yet, that's also a good way to reduce temps while stressing your system.