If the error “Error disk read error occurred. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart ”when trying to start Windows, it means that the system could not be activated. Recommended system restart usually does not help. No matter how many times the user reboots the OS, it refuses to turn on and freezes on a black screen with an error. What are the reasons for the failure and what can be done in case of such an error is described in detail in this article.
Error disk read error occurred
The error makes it clear that the system cannot be booted due to disk problems. The OS cannot read important system data required for normal operation. More specifically, the “a disk read error occurred” error indicates a faulty boot record or logical disk data.
Error description
No one is immune from data corruption, the error can appear both for a Windows XP user and for owners of the tenth version. It affects laptops and desktop computers. This is due to the fact that each of the listed devices uses the same file systems. Accordingly, the reasons for the failure are the same in each version.
Causes of error disk read error occurred
Before you start doing anything to fix the error, you should understand its causes. If you can figure out the source of the problem, it will become easier to determine the working methods of troubleshooting.
Incorrect master boot record configuration
A corrupted boot record is the most common cause of an error. An ordinary power surge or power outage can provoke a violation of the integrity of the most important partition for loading Windows. If the PC shuts down unexpectedly, some items may be overwritten or lost.
Sometimes the computer refuses to turn on after incorrectly resizing the logical drive. Most likely, the procedure ended with an error or the system immediately shut down during or after the partition change was completed.
There may be a record or the bootloader itself is completely absent on the disk. Sometimes it is manually removed during various system recovery operations.
Problems with configuring the partition table
Correct installation of the partition table is the key to normal operation, and a failure threatens the appearance of a data read error. The memory of all hard drives must be properly allocated between logical drives to avoid conflicts. When trying to access a nonexistent memory location or use an already overwritten partition, Windows gives this error.
Technical problems
This includes several potential causes:
- The hard drive is no longer working. Usually, this is preceded by behavior unusual for HDDs. For example: third-party noises during operation, crackling or buzzing, the difficulty of starting the disk (it is not loaded the first time), blue screens of “death” often appear, the computer restarts for no apparent reason, and so on. Rarely, but a drive may have broken for no prior reason. After a fall, the HDD also often fails.
- The disk is not connected correctly. This also includes situations when the contacts of the hard drive or cable are oxidized. Failure is one of the most common and easy-to-fix problems.
- Power supply failure. If the power supply cannot provide sufficient consumption, then the computer “suffocates” and this manifests itself in various errors. The PC may not turn on at all, or work incorrectly or turn off under heavy loads.
Another possible source of malfunction is the BIOS, the settings of which were reset after a manual update or physical breakdown.
Bug fix
There are several simple manipulations that can fix the error.
Checking with special programs (Test Disk, DMDE)
There are a number of utilities that can scan the disk. After each sector, the application checks for its presence in the table. Thus, it is possible to eliminate those disk fragments that are not present in the partition table. Of the mass of similar programs, the Test Disk utility seemed to be the fastest, it is actively supported and has great functionality. For this reason, further actions to correct the error will be carried out in it. DMDE is a worthy counterpart in which similar actions are available.
Recovery instructions:
- You need a Live CD-flash drive with the Test Disk program recorded on it. You can download from specialized sites or use distribution kit with a whole set of useful utilities for working with the disk. To create a bootable USB flash drive, you can use Win Setup From USB, Ultra ISO or Daemon Tools Ultra.
- Turn on the computer and start it from the removable drive. To do this, you can make the “Boot” settings in the BIOS by setting the USB flash drive as a priority device to start. Another option: during system boot, press F9 (a prompt will appear), then select the drive.
- Activate “Create a new log file” in the utility window; you should not abandon the log file.
- Select the problem disk and click “Proceed”. It is worth setting Intel as the type of partitions.
- Use the “Analyze current partition …” function.
- If the result of the program was successful, then select the action “Backup”. Otherwise, start rescanning.
- The whole list is ready, is it green? Ok, click “OK” and try to boot Windows. If the quick scan fails, select “Deep search”.
Check if the cables are properly connected to the hard drive
The current malfunction is not always caused by system problems, it may be all about connecting the hard drive.
Helpful hints:
- If shortly before the error appeared inside the computer, any work was carried out, then you should check the reliability of the cable connections. It also happens that the system unit stood without a cover, and the cable touched one of the household members or an animal. It is worth removing the SATA bus from the hard drive and motherboard side, and then reconnecting it. It also makes sense to change the cable to another. This will help eliminate the risk of its failure.
- Did the error appear after connecting an additional disk? You need to try to disconnect it and check how the system boots with one HDD. It is also worth trying to connect the drive to a different SATA port.
- Checking the quality of contacts. Oxidation is especially common in computers that have not been used for a long time. It is recommended to remove the cables and check their quality.
RAM check
If you have access to Windows, it is easier to make sure that the RAM is fully functional. When the system does not start, you will have to use the Live CD-stick with the memtest86 + utility again.
Instructions for action:
- Pull all the RAM out of the computer, except for one bar.
- Connect a flash drive with memtest86 + and run it. An automatic memory check will appear immediately. Upon completion of testing, the errors found, if any, will be displayed. Their features are worth looking at on the net by rewriting the error code.
- Turn off the computer, install another memory module and repeat the previous step. Perform the procedure the required number of times, depending on the RAM strips.
Update BIOS or reset to default settings
If you managed to remember that the prerequisite for the appearance of the error was working with BIOS, then you should:
- Reset settings. The procedure often has to be performed after updating the BIOS. To do this, just restart the PC, open BIOS (F2 or Del) during startup and select the option “Load Optimized Defaults” on the main screen. The item name may differ slightly.
- Configure BIOS after reset. Upon completion, on the SATA settings page, you should correctly identify the AHCI / IDE type (you can try each).
- Set the correct boot order. On the “Boot” page, you need to designate the hard disk as the primary device for starting. Often this setting is changed at the time of installing Windows from a USB flash drive or disk.
- Update BIOS. Almost every manufacturer produces special utilities for updating the BIOS. It remains only to make a bootable USB flash drive with it, start from the drive and enable the update.
System recovery methods
There are a few more additional ways to fix the error:
- System Restore is a tool to return to Windows and is available if you have an installation disc or flash drive. After starting the system, go to the item of the same name, then to “Troubleshooting”. Here the user is interested in the “Startup Recovery” item. The tool will automatically help fix the problem with the boot record.
- Reinstalling Windows is the most drastic method and should be taken as a last resort. Nevertheless, the method is working, and also does not require system diagnostics.
Commands that can be specified via a string
The following console commands are capable of resolving the crash:
- the bootloader can be restored using the bcdboot c: windows command, where C is the letter of the system logical drive;
- boot record recovery is performed by bootrec.exe / fixmbr and bootrec.exe / fixboot commands;
- the chkdsk C: / f / r command is responsible for checking the health of the disk. It can be run for all partitions in turn, but the main thing is to check the system disk.
All of the above methods for correcting the “a disk read error occurred” error are good because they allow you to save disk data. They do not affect the safety of information in any way, so after restoring Windows, the data will remain accessible. The only exception is a faulty hard drive. In this case, the problem may not always be corrected. If you suspect that the HDD is damaged, you need to create a backup with all the important data on the disk. In other cases, you can actually correct the error on your own.