Computer question:how can i tell a hard drive is bad?Update

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Computer question:how can i tell a hard drive is bad?Update

Posted: 9/21/2005 2:23:29 PM EDT

I am logging on from my daughters computer right now. my main comp is has quite a few problems.it all started when i got messages say some files were missing. Mostly DLL's. then occasionally the it would it would make a clicking sound like it was shutting of and on quickly. I got tired of the messages and did a clean istall of XP.it work for a aday and then I donloaded acrobat and it all went to hell after the install. So i try installing Xp again. Now when it gets to the format phase it locks up when installing the DLL's. I look in the bios and my hD is not recongnized now.

Any ideas on whats going on? I don't want to buy a HD and find out its something else.

Posted: 9/21/2005 2:24:45 PM EDT

[#1]

If the HDD is "clicking" get your data off it NOW!!! It's going down hill and will need to be replaced.

Posted: 9/21/2005 2:25:28 PM EDT

[#2]

Go here and download an image of the ultimate boot cd.

Run the utility for the brand of drive you have. If the drive comes back good there tools to check the memory too.

Posted: 9/21/2005 2:45:20 PM EDT

[#3]

It's bad. Buy another one. I have a drive sitting right here that passes all the tests but is a paper weight because it corrupts after a few days. Yours wouldn't happen to be an IBM would it?

Posted: 9/21/2005 2:45:50 PM EDT

[#4]

sounds like the HD is dying.

In my experience as an IT person (hundreds of pc's), a computer with a decent amount of daily use can expect about 3 to 4 years from a typical HD. If you get more, good for you.

Back up your important data NOW.

Posted: 9/21/2005 2:54:42 PM EDT

[#5]

You will have boot up problems, and eventually not boot up at all.

Posted: 9/21/2005 3:35:21 PM EDT

[#6]

Western digital.

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:32:32 PM EDT

[#7]

The most I have ever been able to get out of a HDD is 4 years. And that was with a WD. Get as much information as you can off of it and put it on a new one. I recommend Western Digital. They are the largest and most reliable (not saying much, but meh...) company out there.

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:36:20 PM EDT

[#8]

Mine keeps locking up. First it will stay on for 10 minutes before it locks up. Then it will lock up when windows loads up. I've had it for about 3 or 4 years. I've been using my laptop for a while now.

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:38:12 PM EDT

[#9]

Does it smell sour?

When you touch it is it slightly slimy?

Is it a western digital?

If the answer to any of the above is YES, then it is bad.

Posted: 9/21/2005 5:39:44 PM EDT

[#10]

I missed the clicking noises initially. I'd say replace it. New hard drives are just damn cheap these days anyways.

Posted: 9/22/2005 5:11:32 PM EDT

[#11]

Updat: i don'tthink its the hd but the HD controller?? I took the HD out and installed it in the comp I am using now. It seems to work fine.I can write to it and it has a copy of windows on it. HD controller where would that be?? the message i got says to scan for viruses and remove recently installed hd or controllers.

Posted: 9/23/2005 12:02:39 AM EDT

[#12]

HD controller is a chip on the motherboard.

Posted: 9/23/2005 12:42:15 AM EDT

[#13]

Funny, the HDD in my Dell laptop made loud click sounds from the day I bought it (Dec. 2001). Still works great to this day.

Posted: 9/23/2005 12:47:39 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Funny, the HDD in my Dell laptop made loud click sounds from the day I bought it (Dec. 2001). Still works great to this day.

different kind of click. the click that we are referring to is the sound of the read head smacking back and forth. An even better should is when you start hearing chirps and something that sounds like a laser. When you hear those you really know that you are in for some fun.

Posted: 9/23/2005 12:53:10 AM EDT

[#15]

Tagged

Vulcan94

Posted: 9/23/2005 1:09:26 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Funny, the HDD in my Dell laptop made loud click sounds from the day I bought it (Dec. 2001). Still works great to this day.

different kind of click. the click that we are referring to is the sound of the read head smacking back and forth. An even better should is when you start hearing chirps and something that sounds like a laser. When you hear those you really know that you are in for some fun.

Uh, What does a laser sound like? None of the lasers I own make any noise. Maybe your CD drive is going bad.

Posted: 9/23/2005 2:12:31 AM EDT

[#17]

I think I smell a power supply starting to fail.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Computer question:how can i tell a hard drive is bad?Update

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