bad clusters/sectors on new laptop, chkdsk gets stuck trying to repair

[techman41973]

I recently bought a new HP laptop with an extended warrantee.
In the past few weeks, often I would get the blue screen of death and
the system will just spontaneously crash and then I have to reboot. I
ran chkdsk and it says there are errors on the drive (no specifics).
It then tells me it couldn't repair the problems because the drive was
locked by other processes. I then entered in the command prompt
chkdsk /F/R and answered Yes for to authorize CHKDSK to run on reboot.
When CHKDSK runs on reboot everything is fine until stage 4/5 where I
get a ton of error messages, all the same
"the disk does not have enough space to replace bad clusters"
I then went into windows and noticed I have only 26GB filled with 74GB
free on a 100GB hard drive. There are no other partitions. So I don't
understand why I am getting this error.
I wonder if there is something seriously wrong with the hard disk
drive.
I want to avoid sending it in to HP as I don't want to be without a
laptop for a few weeks.
Is there anything I can do to fix this problem or diagnose it further.
Thanks

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

I recently bought a new HP laptop with an extended warrantee.
In the past few weeks, often I would get the blue screen of death and
the system will just spontaneously crash and then I have to reboot. I
ran chkdsk and it says there are errors on the drive (no specifics).
It then tells me it couldn't repair the problems because the drive was
locked by other processes. I then entered in the command prompt
chkdsk /F/R and answered Yes for to authorize CHKDSK to run on reboot.
When CHKDSK runs on reboot everything is fine until stage 4/5 where I
get a ton of error messages, all the same
"the disk does not have enough space to replace bad clusters"
I then went into windows and noticed I have only 26GB filled with 74GB
free on a 100GB hard drive. There are no other partitions. So I don't
understand why I am getting this error.
I wonder if there is something seriously wrong with the hard disk
drive.
I want to avoid sending it in to HP as I don't want to be without a
laptop for a few weeks.
Is there anything I can do to fix this problem or diagnose it further.
Thanks

Back up your data NOW. The disk is doomed and there is nothing you can do
about it but send the machine back to HP to get the HDD replaced.

 

[Mike Easter]

I recently bought a new HP laptop with an extended warrantee.

I want to avoid sending it in to HP as I don't want to be without a
laptop for a few weeks.

And there's the rub -- what is the value of an extended warrantee for
someone who can't be without the (concept of) a 'spare' computer?

If you have to do all of the troubleshooting and dirty work, what is the
value of the extra $$ for the extra warantee? If you don't already have
a spare one, then you could go buy another computer, and send your LT
off to HP for an indeterminate period. And forget about any data you
haven't recovered/ backed up/ somehow.

Who wants to be without any computer for 'a while'?

Is there anything I can do to fix this problem or diagnose it further.

I would be very very worried about the integrity of my drive; and this
is one of the times, new, these problems show up.

I'm concerned that it took you a little thinking to realize that you
weren't going to get good chkdisk while running in gear, but at least
you worked your way to the appropriate scary result.

 

[JANA]

It sounds like a failing hard drive. Back up the data, and send the computer
to have it serviced.

--

JANA
_____


I recently bought a new HP laptop with an extended warrantee.
In the past few weeks, often I would get the blue screen of death and
the system will just spontaneously crash and then I have to reboot. I
ran chkdsk and it says there are errors on the drive (no specifics).
It then tells me it couldn't repair the problems because the drive was
locked by other processes. I then entered in the command prompt
chkdsk /F/R and answered Yes for to authorize CHKDSK to run on reboot.
When CHKDSK runs on reboot everything is fine until stage 4/5 where I
get a ton of error messages, all the same
"the disk does not have enough space to replace bad clusters"
I then went into windows and noticed I have only 26GB filled with 74GB
free on a 100GB hard drive. There are no other partitions. So I don't
understand why I am getting this error.
I wonder if there is something seriously wrong with the hard disk
drive.
I want to avoid sending it in to HP as I don't want to be without a
laptop for a few weeks.
Is there anything I can do to fix this problem or diagnose it further.
Thanks

 

[Keme]

(e-mail address removed) skrev:

I recently bought a new HP laptop with an extended warrantee.
In the past few weeks, often I would get the blue screen of death and
the system will just spontaneously crash and then I have to reboot. I
ran chkdsk and it says there are errors on the drive (no specifics).
It then tells me it couldn't repair the problems because the drive was
locked by other processes. I then entered in the command prompt
chkdsk /F/R and answered Yes for to authorize CHKDSK to run on reboot.
When CHKDSK runs on reboot everything is fine until stage 4/5 where I
get a ton of error messages, all the same
"the disk does not have enough space to replace bad clusters"
I then went into windows and noticed I have only 26GB filled with 74GB
free on a 100GB hard drive. There are no other partitions. So I don't
understand why I am getting this error.
I wonder if there is something seriously wrong with the hard disk
drive.
I want to avoid sending it in to HP as I don't want to be without a
laptop for a few weeks.
Is there anything I can do to fix this problem or diagnose it further.
Thanks

Talk to HP and explain your situation. They may accept your diagnose and
allow you to change the HDD yourself, sending you a replacement and
requiring the faulty one to be returned.

Not likely, but it happens...

 

[M.I.5¾]

I recently bought a new HP laptop with an extended warrantee.
In the past few weeks, often I would get the blue screen of death and
the system will just spontaneously crash and then I have to reboot. I
ran chkdsk and it says there are errors on the drive (no specifics).
It then tells me it couldn't repair the problems because the drive was
locked by other processes. I then entered in the command prompt
chkdsk /F/R and answered Yes for to authorize CHKDSK to run on reboot.
When CHKDSK runs on reboot everything is fine until stage 4/5 where I
get a ton of error messages, all the same
"the disk does not have enough space to replace bad clusters"
I then went into windows and noticed I have only 26GB filled with 74GB
free on a 100GB hard drive. There are no other partitions. So I don't
understand why I am getting this error.
I wonder if there is something seriously wrong with the hard disk
drive.
I want to avoid sending it in to HP as I don't want to be without a
laptop for a few weeks.
Is there anything I can do to fix this problem or diagnose it further.
Thanks

The disk has had it.

The type of disks fitted to PCs theses days have a number of spare clusters
on them that are not normally used. When the disk firmware detects a
cluster that is less than reliable, it copies the cluster to one of the
spares; marks the original as bad and then remaps its intenal cluster table
to point to the new one (this is somewhat simplified, but nevertheless is
essentially what happens). Eventually, it uses up the supply of spare
clusters and can't go any further. That's when you start getting the error
messages that you are getting.

Unfortunately, you are going to have to return the thing to HP to get the
disk changed, but make sure that you copy off any files that you don't want
to lose first.

 

[Cub]

I recently bought a new HP laptop with an extended warrantee.
In the past few weeks, often I would get the blue screen of death and
the system will just spontaneously crash and then I have to reboot. I
ran chkdsk and it says there are errors on the drive (no specifics).
It then tells me it couldn't repair the problems because the drive was
locked by other processes. I then entered in the command prompt
chkdsk /F/R and answered Yes for to authorize CHKDSK to run on reboot.
When CHKDSK runs on reboot everything is fine until stage 4/5 where I
get a ton of error messages, all the same
"the disk does not have enough space to replace bad clusters"
I then went into windows and noticed I have only 26GB filled with 74GB
free on a 100GB hard drive. There are no other partitions. So I don't
understand why I am getting this error.
I wonder if there is something seriously wrong with the hard disk
drive.
I want to avoid sending it in to HP as I don't want to be without a
laptop for a few weeks.
Is there anything I can do to fix this problem or diagnose it further.
Thanks

You and your laptop should qualify for a home/office repair typically next
business day. go to the HP warranty checker and put the product code and
serial in to the checker. don't even think of a chkdsk fix , thats what
warranty is for (back up your data quick)


Cub

 

[Collinsia Annectans]

send the computer to have it serviced.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Top-posting dumbfuck JANATARD does it again.

 

[Chris Allen]

I recently bought a new HP laptop with an extended warrantee.
In the past few weeks, often I would get the blue screen of death and
the system will just spontaneously crash and then I have to reboot. I
ran chkdsk and it says there are errors on the drive (no specifics).
It then tells me it couldn't repair the problems because the drive was
locked by other processes. I then entered in the command prompt
chkdsk /F/R and answered Yes for to authorize CHKDSK to run on reboot.
When CHKDSK runs on reboot everything is fine until stage 4/5 where I
get a ton of error messages, all the same
"the disk does not have enough space to replace bad clusters"
I then went into windows and noticed I have only 26GB filled with 74GB
free on a 100GB hard drive. There are no other partitions. So I don't
understand why I am getting this error.
I wonder if there is something seriously wrong with the hard disk
drive.
I want to avoid sending it in to HP as I don't want to be without a
laptop for a few weeks.
Is there anything I can do to fix this problem or diagnose it further.
Thanks

Steps I'd take:

1. Remove the HDD
This may void your warranty, I'd check before doing this
the reason I'd remove the HDD first is because if the disk really
is failing then the longer it spins the more likely it is to go out
totally
2. Download MemTest86+ boot cd, and boot it.
This will check to see if your memory is okay. Disk corruption
issues are sometimes linked to bad memory. check your memory first
before
using the computer to rescue your data. If the computer's memory
is shot, do not try to rescue your data with it.
here's the link to MemTest86+ http://www.memtest.org
3. If mem is good, then download Knoppix Boot CD
link = http://www.knoppix.org
4. get yourself a usb external hdd that is as large as or larger than
the laptops internal HDD
5. Reinstall the HDD, and boot Knoppix CD
Open command prompt, run ddrescue and copy what you can to the new
HDD
6. Get a copy of SpinRite by GRC
http://www.grc.com/spinrite.htm
Note: this program is not free, but is worth the money.
Alternatively you can download ultimate boot cd and check out what
freeware utils it has to check the physical sectors on your disk
7. If SpinRite makes corrections, repeat step 5 on another external
HDD if possible
8. if HDD is messed up, replace it and copy back data from external
HDD

 

[Anna]

Steps I'd take:

1. Remove the HDD
This may void your warranty, I'd check before doing this
the reason I'd remove the HDD first is because if the disk really
is failing then the longer it spins the more likely it is to go out
totally
2. Download MemTest86+ boot cd, and boot it.
This will check to see if your memory is okay. Disk corruption
issues are sometimes linked to bad memory. check your memory first
before
using the computer to rescue your data. If the computer's memory
is shot, do not try to rescue your data with it.
here's the link to MemTest86+ http://www.memtest.org
3. If mem is good, then download Knoppix Boot CD
link = http://www.knoppix.org
4. get yourself a usb external hdd that is as large as or larger than
the laptops internal HDD
5. Reinstall the HDD, and boot Knoppix CD
Open command prompt, run ddrescue and copy what you can to the new
HDD
6. Get a copy of SpinRite by GRC
http://www.grc.com/spinrite.htm
Note: this program is not free, but is worth the money.
Alternatively you can download ultimate boot cd and check out what
freeware utils it has to check the physical sectors on your disk
7. If SpinRite makes corrections, repeat step 5 on another external
HDD if possible
8. if HDD is messed up, replace it and copy back data from external
HDD

techman:
I have the feeling I really don't have to advise you *not* to follow Chris's
advice - that you realize the danger in doing so - but just in case...

Removing the HDD from your laptop and attempting some sort of "fix" that way
is a virtual certainty that your HP/Compaq warranty will be voided. I'm sure
you probably know this. Are you really ready to undertake that risk,
especially knowing that you may well be dealing with a defective drive?

While I understand your reluctance to return the laptop to HP for whatever
repairs are necessary under your warranty, it may very well be the only
practical course of action.

Now there are most likely self-diagnostic tools built into your laptop's
system and perhaps they can be employed to resolve the problem in the event
the problem is not hardware-related (although it certainly sounds from your
description of the problem that it *is* hardware-related). So read your
manual or whatever help screens are available on this.

You should be in touch with HP re this problem. They do have this "Active
chat" online program that could be of help to you in this situation. See...
http://h50203.www5.hp.com/hpisweb/customer/HPInstantsupport.aspx?&cc=us&lang=en
And their HP "online diagnostic tools" are also available through this link.

Also,
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/siteHome?dlc=en&lc=en&cc=us

At least give those sources a try before you start fiddling around with this
or that component in your machine.
Anna