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    MBR Error + Media test failure

    Discussion in 'HP' started by jenpohl, Nov 6, 2009.

  1. jenpohl

    jenpohl Newbie

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    My HP dv1000 hasn't been working too well for several weeks. Recently, when I started it up, it showed the HP logo, then just said MBR error. I was following these instructions on how to fix it ( http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ss/rconsole.htm), but when I put a new XP CD in and pressed a key to boot from CD, it came up with this error message:
    PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
    PXE-M0F: Exiting Intel Boot Agent.
    What's wrong? Has my laptop reached the end of its life?
     
    jenpohl, Nov 6, 2009
    #1
  2. dkwhite

    dkwhite Notebook Deity

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    Hard drive is dead more than likely.
     
    dkwhite, Nov 7, 2009
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  3. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    Computer didn't boot from the CD, instead it tried to boot from network using Intel PXE Network boot and then announced there's no cable connected.

    That message isn't directly related to hard drive or installation issues.
     
    KLF, Nov 7, 2009
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  4. dkwhite

    dkwhite Notebook Deity

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    MBR error is a hard drive issue. Stands for Master Boot Record. But yes the DVD drive could be going bad as well, more than likely since it's affecting both the hard drive and the optical drive the on board controller might be taking a dump.
     
    dkwhite, Nov 7, 2009
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  5. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    PXE: Media Test Failure does not say anything about hard drive condition. The media it refers to is the LAN cable, not HDD :)
     
    KLF, Nov 10, 2009
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  6. jenpohl

    jenpohl Newbie

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    I'm only minimally computer-literate (compared to you guys, at least). The basic message I'm getting is that I should give up on ever getting my computer to work, right?
     
    jenpohl, Nov 10, 2009
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  7. Th3_uN1Qu3

    Th3_uN1Qu3 Notebook Deity

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    No, the message you should be getting is that you can say bye bye to your data, that's all.

    Your computer will be working again if you get it a new hard drive (which you can get for free if it's under warranty, for around $100 otherwise), and it isn't all that difficult to install.
     
    Th3_uN1Qu3, Nov 10, 2009
    #7