can't detect hard drive in acer aspire vx 15

simoneq

When I start my computer it says that no bootable device is found. Sometimes I get the message

Windows failed to start. The boot configuration data for your PC is missing or contains errors.

I entered the bios and tried to change the order in any possible way. Tried both legacy and uefi, but it didn't solve the issue. I tried to reinstall windows or linux with bootable usb drive but didn't work either because it says that there is no hard drive.

JackE

https://www.amazon.it/Sandisk-SDSSDA480G-Velocità-Lettura-fino/dp/B01F9G46Q8/ref=sr_1_15?__mk_it_IT=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=ssd+interno&qid=1585563798&sr=8-15

Yes. Seems OK. If you have the VX5-591G model, you may also choose an m.2 SSD card. Jack E/NJ

simoneq

JackE said:

https://www.amazon.it/Sandisk-SDSSDA480G-Velocità-Lettura-fino/dp/B01F9G46Q8/ref=sr_1_15?__mk_it_IT=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=ssd+interno&qid=1585563798&sr=8-15

Yes. Seems OK. If you have the VX5-591G model, you may also choose an m.2 SSD card. Jack E/NJ

Thanks!

JackE

Does the HDD show up in the BIOS Information tab? Jack E/NJ

simoneq

Thanks for your reply
No it doesn't.

After removing and inserting the HD again. When I load ubuntu from usb stick I can see the hard drive form the disk app, including all partitions. However when I try to mount the partition it fails. Saying can't read superblock on /dev/sdb3.

fdisks -l is not showing the drive.

I tried to fix the partition with the testdisk software without any luck.

Any other idea on what I can do to recover the data at least?

JackE

>>>After removing and inserting the HD again.>>>

This is a good thing to do again. But this time, repeatedly remove & re-insert the HDD connector cable a dozen or so times to help clean the internal connector contacts and pins. If possible, also do the same for the other end of the HDD cable connector at the mainboard. Jack E/NJ

simoneq

Thanks I will try. I noticed that when I start ubuntu from usb stick the first time it doesn't detect the hd, but when I reboot from ubuntu and load it again. I can see the hd in ubuntu and I can mount it. There are 4 partitions.

The first 2 are made of 105 and 17 MB respectively and they have both "Unknown" partitioning

The 3rd partition is called Acer and is made of 999 GB in NTFS

4th is the recovery partition of 1.1. GB NTFS

and then 1.8 MB free space

simoneq

Ok no luck. What I've noticed it is that the HD is just "slow" to start. Probably is going to die soon. Luckily I copied my personal data.

I think I will buy a new hd and given I have to restore everything I might go for an SSD drive. Any suggestion for a budget internal SSD? I'm fine with 500 GB.

Do you think this is a good choice?

https://www.amazon.it/Sandisk-SDSSDA480G-Velocità-Lettura-fino/dp/B01F9G46Q8/ref=sr_1_15?__mk_it_IT=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=ssd+interno&qid=1585563798&sr=8-15

simoneq

I have to say, this laptop was very unlucky.

First I had a problem with the cable of the monitor which isn't plugged correctly and cause white bar on the screen. (many users had the same issue)

Next the hinge break the plastic frame of the monitor, I saw again that it is a common problem on this laptop. I spent 150 EUR to replace front and back plastic. Now the HD is gone without getting any hit.

Very poor job by acer this time...

JackE

https://www.amazon.it/Sandisk-SDSSDA480G-Velocità-Lettura-fino/dp/B01F9G46Q8/ref=sr_1_15?__mk_it_IT=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=ssd+interno&qid=1585563798&sr=8-15

Yes. Seems OK. If you have the VX5-591G model, you may also choose an m.2 SSD card. Jack E/NJ

simoneq

JackE said:

https://www.amazon.it/Sandisk-SDSSDA480G-Velocità-Lettura-fino/dp/B01F9G46Q8/ref=sr_1_15?__mk_it_IT=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=ssd+interno&qid=1585563798&sr=8-15

Yes. Seems OK. If you have the VX5-591G model, you may also choose an m.2 SSD card. Jack E/NJ

Thanks!