Bad Sectors: Time for a New Hard Drive?

[senk8105]

Since I purchased my HP Pavilion 763n in December 2002, I have run the
error-checking function (formerly known as ScanDisk) for my hard drive
approximately once each week, with the simple three-step test most
weeks and the thorough five-step one the last week of each month. I
have also defragmented my hard drive about once a week. I have Windows
XP Home Edition with all known updates since the computer was
purchased, including Windows Service Packs 1 and 2.

On September 10, 2005, I ran the error-checking program three-step test
for my hard drive. Onscreen messages indicated that several files were
unreadable due to their being in bad sectors. I then ran the five-step
test to have Windows XP attempt to fix the bad sectors. At the end of
the test, onscreen messages indicated that I had 276 KB of data on my
hard drive in bad sectors.

The September 17 three-step test indicated the same thing.

One week later, on the final Saturday of the month (September 24), I
ran the five-step error-checking test. Onscreen messages again
indicated some files were unreadable due to their being in bad sectors.
At the end of the test, on screen messages noted that a total of 288
KB of data on my hard drive (12 KB more than previously) were in bad
sectors.

Yesterday, October 1, I ran a simple three-step error-checking test.
As before, messages stated that several files (four this time) were
unreadable due to their being in bad sectors. The concluding message
said that a total of 300 KB of data on my hard drive (12 more than in
the September 24 tests) were in bad sectors.

Is this a sign that my hard drive could be starting to fail? If so,
will I need to replace it--or is there anything else I can or should
do? (I obtained an extended warranty from my reseller that is in
effect until December 8, and does cover hard-drive replacement.)

I tried to open one file involved (a TrueType font file) and could not
do so, but the font involved still functions perfectly in NotePad and
in Microsoft Word.

What, if any, warning signs might I see or hear of further hard-drive
deterioration or imminent hard-drive failure?

In the event that I must replace my hard drive, I have already ordered
recovery CDs from HP for my computer. My understanding is that using
them will restore my computer to the state it was when it left HP's
factory; I will, however, need to reinstall all Windows XP updates
(including Service Packs 1 and 2), all non-preinstalled software, and
all e-mail, photograph, and other files that I've created or otherwise
received.

I am thus continuing to make backups of my e-mails, photos, and other
non-software files. Is there anything else I can or should do if I
indeed do need to restore my system and/or replace my hard drive?

Also, should I run my error-checking and disk-defragmenting programs
less often--or more often--than I do? One techician (not one with HP)
told me that my frequency of running such programs itself could cause
unnecessary wear and tear on my hard drive.

Please let me know your thoughts, everyone. Thanks.

Scott Enk
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Rod Speed]

(e-mail address removed) wrote

Since I purchased my HP Pavilion 763n in December 2002, I have run the
error-checking function (formerly known as ScanDisk) for my hard drive
approximately once each week, with the simple three-step test most
weeks and the thorough five-step one the last week of each month. I
have also defragmented my hard drive about once a week. I have
Windows XP Home Edition with all known updates since the computer was
purchased, including Windows Service Packs 1 and 2.

On September 10, 2005, I ran the error-checking program three-step
test for my hard drive. Onscreen messages indicated that several
files were unreadable due to their being in bad sectors. I then ran
the five-step test to have Windows XP attempt to fix the bad sectors.
At the end of the test, onscreen messages indicated that I had 276 KB
of data on my hard drive in bad sectors.

The September 17 three-step test indicated the same thing.

One week later, on the final Saturday of the month (September 24), I
ran the five-step error-checking test. Onscreen messages again
indicated some files were unreadable due to their being in bad
sectors. At the end of the test, on screen messages noted that a
total of 288 KB of data on my hard drive (12 KB more than previously)
were in bad sectors.

Yesterday, October 1, I ran a simple three-step error-checking test.
As before, messages stated that several files (four this time) were
unreadable due to their being in bad sectors. The concluding message
said that a total of 300 KB of data on my hard drive (12 more than in
the September 24 tests) were in bad sectors.

Is this a sign that my hard drive could be starting to fail?

Yes. Run the hard drive manufacturer's diagnostic on the
drive if you like, but more bad sectors mean its dying.

If so, will I need to replace it--
Yes.

or is there anything else I can or should do?
(I obtained an extended warranty from my reseller that is in
effect until December 8, and does cover hard-drive replacement.)

Then get it replaced under warranty.

I tried to open one file involved (a TrueType font file)
and could not do so, but the font involved still functions
perfectly in NotePad and in Microsoft Word.

What, if any, warning signs might I see or hear of further
hard-drive deterioration or imminent hard-drive failure?

It might just stop working completely, so
you should replace it as quickly as possible.

In the event that I must replace my hard drive, I have already ordered
recovery CDs from HP for my computer. My understanding is that using
them will restore my computer to the state it was when it left HP's
factory; I will, however, need to reinstall all Windows XP updates
(including Service Packs 1 and 2), all non-preinstalled software, and
all e-mail, photograph, and other files that I've created or otherwise
received.

Correct.

Its generally better to clone the current drive to the replacement.

I am thus continuing to make backups of my e-mails, photos, and
other non-software files. Is there anything else I can or should do if
I indeed do need to restore my system and/or replace my hard drive?

And image of the drive would make a minimum effort
restore to the replacement drive as easy as possible.

If you can get the replacement before returning the bad
drive, its easiest to clone it from one drive to the other.

Also, should I run my error-checking and disk-defragmenting
programs less often--or more often--than I do?

Stop doing it until you get the drive replaced.

One techician (not one with HP) told me that my
frequency of running such programs itself could
cause unnecessary wear and tear on my hard drive.

More strictly its undesirable ONCE its starting to fail.

 

[John Doe]

(e-mail address removed) wrote:

....

I am thus continuing to make backups of my e-mails, photos, and
other non-software files.

That's good. You should always keep a copy of important files.

Is there anything else I can or should do if I
indeed do need to restore my system and/or replace my hard drive?

That depends.

If you do a lot of configuring in Windows, you might want to copy
the THEME file... Display Properties -- Themes. Windows XP has a
settings transfer Wizard (or whatever you want to call it) but it
doesn't seem very useful, you could try it.

Make a copy of your Internet bookmarks/favorites folder.

Also, should I run my error-checking and disk-defragmenting
programs less often--or more often--than I do? One techician (not
one with HP) told me that my frequency of running such programs
itself could cause unnecessary wear and tear on my hard drive.

That sounds pretty silly to me. I think hard drives usually fail
from defects/shock/overvoltage/whatever as opposed to normal use.
The mean time between failure MTBF rating for some drives is over
100 years.

Good luck.

 

[Peter]

That sounds pretty silly to me. I think hard drives usually fail

from defects/shock/overvoltage/whatever as opposed to normal use.
The mean time between failure MTBF rating for some drives is over
100 years.

Even if MTBF rating is more than 100 years, it would not guarantee drive
average life span to be more than 5 years.

 

[Arno Wagner]

(e-mail address removed) wrote:

That's good. You should always keep a copy of important files.

That depends.

If you do a lot of configuring in Windows, you might want to copy
the THEME file... Display Properties -- Themes. Windows XP has a
settings transfer Wizard (or whatever you want to call it) but it
doesn't seem very useful, you could try it.

Make a copy of your Internet bookmarks/favorites folder.

That sounds pretty silly to me. I think hard drives usually fail
from defects/shock/overvoltage/whatever as opposed to normal use.
The mean time between failure MTBF rating for some drives is over
100 years.

Wrong. MTBF is the failure probability during the lifetime.
After the end of the lifetime the MTBF may (and usually does)
get worse. Lifetime for HDDs is 5 years. When will you people
throwing around technical terms like MTBF look up the definition
before making ridiculous claims?

Arno

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

Wrong. MTBF is the failure probability during the lifetime.
After the end of the lifetime the MTBF may (and usually does)
get worse. Lifetime for HDDs is 5 years. When will you people
throwing around technical terms like MTBF look up the definition
before making ridiculous claims?

Ooh, Arnie wants his message header posted all over the internet.

 

[dannysdailys]

I have a bit of advice, before you do anything else from these wel
meaning posters

Open the computers side and pull it's hard drive drive out

Go the a friends house and plug it in as a number two. (you may hav
to change it's jumper plugs

If it comes up as another drive, (C,D,E, etc) in my computer, on his
her computer, double click on it and open it up

If all your files are there, don't touch the drive! It sounds lik
you picked up malware or a virus. If you touch the drive, THE
WIN!!

Got it

Best Luck to yo

 

[Curious George]

(e-mail address removed) wrote:

...

That's good. You should always keep a copy of important files.

Ya think? You comfortable with _A_ copy? Most sensible ppl arent.

That depends.

If you do a lot of configuring in Windows, you might want to copy
the THEME file... Display Properties -- Themes. Windows XP has a
settings transfer Wizard (or whatever you want to call it) but it
doesn't seem very useful, you could try it.

That's configuring?

You're in for a surprise if you think that'll restore a system
completely & quickly. Unless the machine only runs word & Outlook
Express with a pretty wallpaper with a cute login sound.

Make a copy of your Internet bookmarks/favorites folder.


That sounds pretty silly to me. I think hard drives usually fail
from defects/shock/overvoltage/whatever as opposed to normal use.

Umm. If you say so.

The mean time between failure MTBF rating for some drives is over
100 years.

You misunderstand MTBF. Service life (as quoted my manufacturers) is
typically 3-5 yrs.

 

[fj]

I have a bit of advice, before you do anything else from these well
meaning posters.

Open the computers side and pull it's hard drive drive out.

Go the a friends house and plug it in as a number two. (you may have
to change it's jumper plugs)

If it comes up as another drive, (C,D,E, etc) in my computer, on his/
her computer, double click on it and open it up.

If all your files are there, don't touch the drive! It sounds like
you picked up malware or a virus. If you touch the drive, THEY
WIN!!!

Huh? Do you have just one example of a malware or virus that would produce
the symptoms the OP has reported?
At the same time, if the drive is really failing, you would want to avoid
any unnecessary moving around.

While irrelevant to the OP's problem, what in the world do you mean 'They
Win'?