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Hard drive error code 2000-0146, and "a disk read error occurred"

Anonymous
2011-04-28T23:27:59+00:00

I'm in desperate need of help (my laptop's died just as I'm starting my first year uni exams)

I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit on a Dell Studio 1535. It came pre-installed with Vista 32bit when I got it 2 or 3 years ago, and I upgraded to 7 a few weeks ago without many problems.

It all started while browsing the internet today. First the system froze a couple of times. The first time I managed to recover it, the second time I manually restarted with the power button. It got stuck as it was turning off, and the hard-drive made an odd, repetitive buzzing noise. When I turned it back on, I got the Dell loading screen, and the Startup (F2) and one time Boot Menu (F12) options, then a black screen and "A disk read error occurred, press ctrl+alt+delete to restart." If you do as it says, it cycles forever.

If you go into the F12 menu and run diagnostics, it gets to the hard-drive test then goes insane, makes a lot of beeping noises, and gives you the error code 2000-0146. It also says to contact Dell tech support, but as far as I know mine has expired, so I don't know what to do. I also have the option of booting from CD or booting from NIC, though I don't know what that is. I've tried booting from my Windows 7 CD so that I can repair the OS. It gets to Install Now or Repair Your Computer. I hit repair, and then it just sits there on a blank background forever, until you turn it off manually.

I've tried taking the laptop to pieces and checking the cable to the HDD, but no change. From what I can gather the boot sector of the HDD is just...dead.

All the solutions I've seen online require the F8 startup menu for safe mode or startup repair, and I can't even get to that! If anyone can help me I would be so grateful. My absolute number one priority is to recover some files for assessed essays which are due this week. If someone could walk me through doing that it would be a great start. Finding a permanent solution to this problem can come afterwards.

Update - I can't even reinstall Windows 7. It gets to the "setup is starting" screen, then just sits there forever with the HDD light blinking. I just wanted to see if I could somehow partition it to reinstall the OS and keep my documents.

Update again - My dad tried booting it from the NIC, it got the disk read error again.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-12-01T20:41:59+00:00

    Hi there, I have had errors like this and the first thing I checked (both my laptop and desktop had this.) was to change the ram card or play elimination if you have more than one as usually crashes like this happen from dead ram cards. I had two in both my computers so just removed one until the one left was working and allowed the computer to boot....Simple. Believe me...I know it feels like you should investigate the hard drive as that was the error but pc's have strange ways of stating errors and it could be your ram. Ram's die from anything such as a power surge a sudden loss of power, overclocking, age, factory defects over time, etc. It is always worth a try!

    200+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2011-04-29T15:50:49+00:00

    20+ people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2017-08-31T10:49:31+00:00

    When I turn on my computer it makes a lot of beeping noises, and gives you the error code 2000-0146. what is the solution for this?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2013-06-16T14:59:13+00:00

    Hi there, I have had errors like this and the first thing I checked (both my laptop and desktop had this.) was to change the ram card or play elimination if you have more than one as usually crashes like this happen from dead ram cards. I had two in both my computers so just removed one until the one left was working and allowed the computer to boot....Simple. Believe me...I know it feels like you should investigate the hard drive as that was the error but pc's have strange ways of stating errors and it could be your ram. Ram's die from anything such as a power surge a sudden loss of power, overclocking, age, factory defects over time, etc. It is always worth a try!

    This was the most helpful advice.  My son was ready to invest in a new computer until he tried this.  This will save him a lot of hard earned money.  I suggest everybody try this first before doing anything else.  Simple and easy fix.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2011-04-30T14:24:32+00:00

    Hi there,

    Thanks for the link. I think if I could get to the disk check, I'd stand a much better chance. Unfortunately, as stated, the system repair won't start =( It just sits on a blank background until you manually down the machine.

    9 people found this answer helpful.
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