Need a harddrive and bios removal - Acer Aspire 4720 Notebook

This is a network PXE boot screen. This is usually the last boot device it will try if it doesn't detect a HDD or cd/dvd drive with bootable media. You should be able to see a hard drive in bios, if not replce it and re-install your operating system.

Hello

as the bios was reset the harddrive password was removed from the bios memory.

To get the password unlocked you will need to remove the harddrive from the laptop, buy a adapter so you can connect it to your pc and then do a few things Il tell you about later if your going to do it.

otherwice you can take the harddrive to a shop to be unlocked / reset to defaults.

A) To resolve the initial BIOS lockout, download the most recent BIOS firmware, and flash the system if possible.

[ Note*
1) IF, there is a power outage at your home/business, when flashing the BIOS, your motherboard becomes an expensive paperweight.

It isn't it may happen, it IS do Not lose power, or this will happen. However this goes with number 2 below also,

2) When flashing the BIOS program it will be asked (Should) if you wish to create a backup, before proceeding to the flash.
The answer is Y-E-S.

Should something happen as briefly described above, you will have the original BIOS program backup to go back to ]

B) Then remove your harddrive, install it into an economical 2.5 SATA external enclosure, and pull your personal info off by attaching the external enclosure's USB cable, to a working computer.

Then reinstall the harddrive, and use the Recovery Disk to Repair.
(Non-Destructive Installation)

You May be forced however, to perform a Full Installation instead.
(Destructive Installation)
You will have your personal information because you saved it. You will however, have to reinstall programs/applications.

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

[ Harddrives come in two different sizes, and technologies, at present.

A harddrive is measured across it's Width.
A laptop harddrive is 2-1/2 inches across.
A desktop harddrive is 3-1/2 inches across.

The two technologies being used at present for harddrives, is IDE (PATA), and SATA.

The Satellite L455D series uses a 2.5 inch SATA harddrive,

http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com/Toshiba,Laptop,Part,P000506260.aspx

{ Not stating the original harddrive was an Hitachi. Showing that the harddrive uses the SATA technology. It is already known that the size is 2.5
It is a laptop harddrive }

This is information on IDE (PATA) technology,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_ATA#IDE_and_ATA-1

This is information on SATA technology,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

This is but one example of a 2.5 SATA external enclosure,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3195233&CatId=2783

Use Anti-Static Precautions when working on your laptop.
Be Sure ALL power is removed. AC adapter (Charger) and Battery.

Not Andrea, just wanted to offer;

1) Installed a new larger Harddrive for the laptop?
There is a special procedure for this. Depends on what laptop we're discussing here.
A new harddrive will have no operating system on it. BIOS needs to recognize the harddrive.

{When you press the Power On button of your laptop, the first chipset to receive power is the BIOS chipset. BIOS looks to see what devices are installed, does a Ram Memory count, turns the Processor on, and hands the laptop over to the Operating System. WinXP is one example of an O/S }

Some laptops have a procedure where basic info is stored until the new harddrive is installed. Then the basic info is transferred to the new harddrive.

In any case I suggest going into the BIOS Setup, and on the main page see if the Harddrive is recognized.
It will be listed.
If it isn't listed you have to manually set the harddrive's parameters. (Type them in)
The Cylinders, Heads, and Sectors.

When BIOS recognizes the harddrive, then you can install Windows XP off of the Restoration Disk, (Repair. Also know as Non-Destructive Installation), or a fresh, new genuine copy.

2) If this is a reference to an external harddrive, there may be an electronic problem with the unit.
The main problem that happens with an external harddrive, is the small circuit board inside goes bad.

This small circuit board is an Interface Board.
It connects to the Harddrive inside the case of the external harddrive, and allows a USB cable to be used.

If this is found to be the problem simply remove the harddrive inside, and install it into an economical external enclosure.

Awaiting further information so I know what we are dealing with.

A) Is this a reference to a new harddrive being installed into the laptop?
If so, laptop manufacturer name, and Model Number.
(Bottom of laptop in a white Service Tag, or sticker)

B) Is this a reference to an extermal harddrive?
Manufacturer name, and Model Number

Regards,
joecoolvette

Hi,

Check if the harddrive is detected in BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) setup by pressing F2..or F12 (depends on what key is designed for the BIOS setup).

- If the harddrive is detected in the BIOS (usually shows the harddrive name or values beside "Drive 0"), your operating system is corrupted. You need an operating system disc to install it.

- If the harddrive is not detected in the BIOS ( no value beside "Drive 0"), either the harddrive cable is loose, the harddrive is not inserted properly or is defective. Check the harddrive compartment at the bottom of the laptop and use screw driver to reveal it. Try to reinsert it or use a good known hard drive.

Hope this helps.

Hi,

Here are some steps that you can try.

- Check if the harddrive is recognized in the BIOS (Basic Input Output System). Normally you will see values beside "Drive 0" at the first page if the harddrive is detected. If it says none or blank, then it is not detected. Reload BIOS default settings and try to boot up the unit to see if it will pick up the harddrive.
- If the harddrive is not detected in the BIOS, you need to unscrew the harddrive compartment at the bottom of the laptop.
- Reinsert the harddrive and check harddrive cable. Also try to use a good known harddrive if yours is defective.

Hope this helps.

Have you replaced the RAM? Try removing one at a time and turn on the computer - one maybe bad. Or your Harddrive may be bad - disconnect the Harddrive and see if you can go into the BIOS - it should without a Harddrive. If you can go into the BIOS your harddrive is bad.

http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html?cat=Desktops&subcat=T%20Series&model=T3522 Chat with a tech. I think a system password has been set by someone. Most probably a bios / HDD password. So you need to know that to boot. Bios reset may do the trick (by removing cmos battery). But you have to set the settings back to normal in BIOS. But if you have encrypted data you may harm them. (Rarely).

First its better try to set up your bios to optimized value so it will run in factory default.

Also - if it is telling you to install a hard drive - then your bios is not reconizing that you have a hard drive installed. Go into your Bios to see if your hard is listed. if not - you need to open your computer to make sure all the connections are correct. if this doesn't work, you may have to buy a new hard drive.