How to Fix Disk Read Error now?

A computer sometimes fails to load with Disk Read error. This error comes up when computer is started. A black screen appears with following text:

"A disk read error occurred. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to restart."

As instructed in the error message, restarting computer does not usually fix the problem. This article contains simple and easy-to-implement instructions to fix Disk Read Error in PC.

1. Customize CMOS Settings
2. Load CMOS Setup Defaults
3. Replace Data/Power Cords
4. Scan and Repair OS Registry
5. Check Disk Errors
6. Disinfect Computer with a Rescue Disk

Customize CMOS Settings

The CMOS Settings contain primary configurations which are required to load your system and control the way hardware operates.

Disk Read Error occurs when the CMOS settings fail to recognize your hard disk. In other words computer is not able to detect it and/or the operating system which is installed on it. Customize CMOS Settings to repair this problem.

1. Restart the machine.
2. Press F2 or Delete repeatedly.
3. Go to the Drives menu.
4. Move down using keyboard and select Hard Disk Drive.
5. Select the hard drive that contains Windows operating system installed.
6. Move up and go to the Boot menu.
7. Move down and select Boot Sequence option.
8. Set following sequence-
First Boot Device- Hard disk Drive
Second, Third Boot Devices- {Disabled}
9. Move up and select Exit menu, and then Save settings and exit.
10. The computer shall restart itself without showing above error message.

Load CMOS Setup Defaults

Problems with the CMOS Settings cause Disk Read Error. The best option to deal with this problem is to restore default settings.

1. Load CMOS Settings in the same manner as shown above.
2. Go to the Exit menu, select Restore Defaults.
3. Select Exit | Save Settings and Exit.

Replace Data/ Power Cords

Your disk data/power cords can be loose. Failure to transfer data leads to such errors. Turn your computer off. Check internal wiring, etc. If the problem still persists, replace the data/ power cords of your hard disk.

Scan and Fix OS Registry

Operating system Registry is a set of all PC configurations. Recent modifications in the Registry could have forced your computer to show Disk Read Error. Scan and fix Windows Registry as shown below:

1. Turn on your computer.
2. Press F8 key, select Safe mode with networking option.
3. Press ENTER.
4. Download an efficient System/Registry optimizer software..
5. Start full Registry scan.
6. Repair all errors detected.

Check Disk Errors

Disk Read Error appears when your computer fails to retrieve data from the disk. System files, settings and user data retrieval fails due to corrupt disk. Bad sectors are the reasons behind this error message. Check your hard disk for errors. Here's how to do this:

1. Load your computer in the safe mode again.
2. Double click My Computer desktop icon.
3. Right click system drive (the drive where your OS is installed).
4. Select Properties.
5. Click Tools | Check Now from the new dialog box.
6. Check-up Automatically fix file system errors and click Start from the confirmation dialog.

Disinfect Computer with a Rescue Disk

The most common reason behind Disk Read problem is virus infection. Your computer may have become a victim of virus/malware. Viruses overwrite system files with malicious content.

1. Use another working computer to download a rescue disk from the internet. (Use freewares available widely)
3. Burn the rescue disk content on a blank DVD ROM Drive.
4. Insert it in your malfunctioning computer and restart.
5. Load CMOS Settings. Set your DVD ROM Drive as First Boot Device; and Hard Disk as Second Boot Device. Save the settings and exit. (For detailed instructions, please refer previous paragraphs for details).
6. The computer shall restart itself.
7. When you're prompted to press any key, follow the onscreen instructions. Computer shall boot in a Linux-based environment, and antivirus will scan and remove infected system files.
8. When you are done with removing infected files, please shut down the Linux-based rescue disk system.
9. Eject your disk, set First Boot Device as Hard Disk using CMOS Settings.
10. Load Windows in safe mode.
11. Insert Windows installation disc. Press Windows Key + R, type SFC /SCANNOW and then click OK.

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