BleepingComputer.com: Dropped laptop

I dropped my sony VAIO from about a foot and a half while it was on, and when i picked it up, put it on the table it worked fine. When I turned it off and then turned it back on again, it got past the VAOI first screen while making repetitive beeping noises, and then said Operating System not Found.
I think that my hard drive got screwed up, but I didn’t really have anything important on it, other than backup homework files that were already handed in.
I was planning on installing windows 7 (im on vista), which would mean that I would have to wipe the hard drive anyways, but I was wondering if I need to fix my hard drive somehow.
If not, can I just run the windows 7 installation disk?
(which raises the question as to how im going to open the cd drive which wont open now)


*first post, sorry if i'm in the wrong area
** and please dont just tell me to take my computer to a shop, i'm scared to tell my parents so i wanna resolve this on my own.... (im not asking for counselling here, which i have recieved on many other sites... )

Thanks in advance.

you can maybe get the data off of it with something along the lines of a ubuntu live disc http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download however, chances are you will need a new hard drive. You can try reinstalling the OS, no garentees it will work. You can also pull the hard drive cover off the bottom of the computer and double check it didnt just get knocked loose to, and I would advise trying both, but my guess is the hard drives shot.

I dont really care about the data on my computer, I didn't really need any of it but thanks anyways.
All that I want to know is whether or not I can just install windows 7 over my dead hard drive, or if I need to buy a new one.

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Have you tried removing the hard drive and re-seating it?
Same with the memory

garmanma, on Mar 4 2010, 10:24 AM, said:

no, should I do that?

I would

yes try reseating it and the memory. If that doesnt work, your computer may have a utility partition you can access by hitting f12 to bring up the boot menu, and it should say utility partition if it has one (it may not) You maybe able to run a full diagnostic of your hardware that way and possibly find the problem.

thanks, i tried that but it didn't work. Im going to try pressing the f12 thing now, ill let you know what happens
thanks a lot btw

Its definately not the end of the world, Hard drives are relatively cheap when compared to a new, somewhere-around-top-of-the-line laptop. I get all of my components and most of my software that has to be paid for through TigerDirect.com. They are fast and cheapest I have found. At one point they had the Upgrade from vista to win7 for like $89.99, i was about to jump on it tho when the price changed.

anywhoo...u can search TD for your make and model of hard drive, and may even be able to upgrade to a bigger one in the process!

Do you hear a clanking sound?

cryptodan, on Mar 7 2010, 06:54 PM, said:

not really a clanking, but a beep that goes high beep low short beep repeat.
I tried installing windows xp corporate,
but then it says error after installing a bunch of drivers and stuff and it says to check your hardrive for viruses and such
should i try installing a harddrive from another laptop, or should I just buy another one?

I would try replacing the hard drive.

cryptodan, on Jun 14 2010, 03:07 AM, said:

my dad wants to get it diagnosed for like $40.00... waste of money in my opinion

can i try putting in a currently being used harddrive from another laptop?

if "currently being used harddrive" has windows installed it is not likely to boot unless it came from the exact same laptop with the exact same specs. you need a blank hard drive or one you can partition and format to reinstall the OS.

does sony provide any diagnostic programs at their website ?

i can't even get the manual on that site for the vaio i bought for my daughter two months ago !!!

This post has been edited by caperdog: 14 June 2010 - 08:03 PM

thanks
and not any that i could find, let alone a phone number to phone