Corrupt files: virus or HW related?

[Betelgeuse74]

I just bought a new hard drive; Western Digital Raptor 76GB S-ATA. I
plan to use this as a boot disc (system) and have formatted it into 3
partitions. Windows XP Pro is installed on a 20GB partition.

My system configuration is:
Abit NF-7S v. 2.0
AMD XP 2800+ Processor
2x 512MB RAM
Dlink Wireless PCI adapter DWL-520+
Asus Geforce 3 Deluxe
WD Raptor 10K rpm 76GB S-ATA

I have disconnected these to discs for testing purposes:
WD 250GB Caviar S-ATA
WD 120GB Caviar ATA

I use a Windows XP pro SP-2 CD which I have created with Auto Patcher
(a small GUI program which integrates the service pack file with
WinXP)

The problem is:
Everytime I reinstall I get corrupt files on the drive. The OS works
and boots fine, but driver- and program-files which I have downloaded
becomes corrupt. If I try to install Nvidia GeForce drivers I get an
error message saying the file is corrupt and I need to download a
fresh copy and confirm its integrity. If I do so, it works fine. But
I'm worried that the system is/will become unstable. I have tried to
reinstall the system several times now, and I always get an error with
downloaded files, my documents and Outlook .pst files (As a result I
lost over 2GB of jpg pictures taken with my digital camera over the
past 3 years... Back up was stored on the 250GB S-ATA disc and it was
corrupt too, unfortunately) --> IF ANYBODY HAS ANY TIPS ON HOW TO
RESTORE/REPAIR CORRUPT JPG-FILES I'M ALL EARS!

First I thought it might be the WinXP CD I have created, and I plan to
try a fresh install with my original XP CD.
However: Since the XP system seems to work fine, I was wondering if
the problem lies with the S-ATA driver, virus, or maybe is HW related
(RAM, etc.)
I have tried to update the system with all Windows Update patches,
incl. the new S-ATA driver, but I always get the same results!

Have anybody experienced anything like this?
Can anyone give me some pointers on how to continue my quest for a
stable XP-system?

 

[Bob Willard]

I just bought a new hard drive; Western Digital Raptor 76GB S-ATA. I
plan to use this as a boot disc (system) and have formatted it into 3
partitions. Windows XP Pro is installed on a 20GB partition.

My system configuration is:
Abit NF-7S v. 2.0
AMD XP 2800+ Processor
2x 512MB RAM
Dlink Wireless PCI adapter DWL-520+
Asus Geforce 3 Deluxe
WD Raptor 10K rpm 76GB S-ATA

I have disconnected these to discs for testing purposes:
WD 250GB Caviar S-ATA
WD 120GB Caviar ATA

I use a Windows XP pro SP-2 CD which I have created with Auto Patcher
(a small GUI program which integrates the service pack file with
WinXP)

The problem is:
Everytime I reinstall I get corrupt files on the drive. The OS works
and boots fine, but driver- and program-files which I have downloaded
becomes corrupt. If I try to install Nvidia GeForce drivers I get an
error message saying the file is corrupt and I need to download a
fresh copy and confirm its integrity. If I do so, it works fine. But
I'm worried that the system is/will become unstable. I have tried to
reinstall the system several times now, and I always get an error with
downloaded files, my documents and Outlook .pst files (As a result I
lost over 2GB of jpg pictures taken with my digital camera over the
past 3 years... Back up was stored on the 250GB S-ATA disc and it was
corrupt too, unfortunately) --> IF ANYBODY HAS ANY TIPS ON HOW TO
RESTORE/REPAIR CORRUPT JPG-FILES I'M ALL EARS!

First I thought it might be the WinXP CD I have created, and I plan to
try a fresh install with my original XP CD.
However: Since the XP system seems to work fine, I was wondering if
the problem lies with the S-ATA driver, virus, or maybe is HW related
(RAM, etc.)
I have tried to update the system with all Windows Update patches,
incl. the new S-ATA driver, but I always get the same results!

Have anybody experienced anything like this?
Can anyone give me some pointers on how to continue my quest for a
stable XP-system?

Since you have problems with two different HDs, I'd be suspicious of the
power supply -- in particular, the ability of the PS to deliver enough
juice on the +12V rail. There are several PS calculators on the net,
such as http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply, which you can use as a
rough check to see if your PS is inadequate for your PC.

 

[Peter R. Fletcher]

I have seen exactly this sort of problem with a stick of memory that
had gone bad (after working fine for 3-6 months) - it turned out that
a few bits were "stuck", presumably in an area that was frequently
being used for file I/O, so files were, indeed, being corrupted!

I just bought a new hard drive; Western Digital Raptor 76GB S-ATA. I
plan to use this as a boot disc (system) and have formatted it into 3
partitions. Windows XP Pro is installed on a 20GB partition.

My system configuration is:
Abit NF-7S v. 2.0
AMD XP 2800+ Processor
2x 512MB RAM
Dlink Wireless PCI adapter DWL-520+
Asus Geforce 3 Deluxe
WD Raptor 10K rpm 76GB S-ATA

I have disconnected these to discs for testing purposes:
WD 250GB Caviar S-ATA
WD 120GB Caviar ATA

I use a Windows XP pro SP-2 CD which I have created with Auto Patcher
(a small GUI program which integrates the service pack file with
WinXP)

The problem is:
Everytime I reinstall I get corrupt files on the drive. The OS works
and boots fine, but driver- and program-files which I have downloaded
becomes corrupt. If I try to install Nvidia GeForce drivers I get an
error message saying the file is corrupt and I need to download a
fresh copy and confirm its integrity. If I do so, it works fine. But
I'm worried that the system is/will become unstable. I have tried to
reinstall the system several times now, and I always get an error with
downloaded files, my documents and Outlook .pst files (As a result I
lost over 2GB of jpg pictures taken with my digital camera over the
past 3 years... Back up was stored on the 250GB S-ATA disc and it was
corrupt too, unfortunately) --> IF ANYBODY HAS ANY TIPS ON HOW TO
RESTORE/REPAIR CORRUPT JPG-FILES I'M ALL EARS!

First I thought it might be the WinXP CD I have created, and I plan to
try a fresh install with my original XP CD.
However: Since the XP system seems to work fine, I was wondering if
the problem lies with the S-ATA driver, virus, or maybe is HW related
(RAM, etc.)
I have tried to update the system with all Windows Update patches,
incl. the new S-ATA driver, but I always get the same results!

Have anybody experienced anything like this?
Can anyone give me some pointers on how to continue my quest for a
stable XP-system?

Please respond to the Newsgroup, so that others may benefit from the exchange.
Peter R. Fletcher

 

[Guest]

I picked up on your power supply tip from your ans. to another matter.
Hmmmm? I checked and I am up to a possible 340 drain on a 300 watt power
supply.
Hmmmm? Thanks.

 

[Betelgeuse74]

Since you have problems with two different HDs, I'd be suspicious of the
power supply -- in particular, the ability of the PS to deliver enough
juice on the +12V rail. There are several PS calculators on the net,
such as http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply, which you can use as a
rough check to see if your PS is inadequate for your PC.

Thanks for the tip! I've testet my configuration and it shows I need a
minimum 315W PSU. I have an Enermax Whisper 430W, so this should be
allright. I have not experienced any problems with this earlier, and
had a fully functional system before I installed the new disc.

I have heard rumours about problems with the Silicon Image Si3x12
S-ATA controller, which is onboard my Mobo, however I have not
confirmed this (and I have not yet searched the forum for any similar
error descriptions.)

I have downloaded the latest BIOS for Abit (which includes a Firmware
upgrade for the controller), and the latest drivers from windows
update (I have even tried the drivers from Siliconimage.com, but
Windows Update's version is newer)

I learned today that a buddy of mine had a similar problem with a
Silicon Image Si3x12 external S-ATA adapter (PCI). His experience was
that files copied to or from the S-ATA disc became corrupt. My
controller is onboard, but could this be related? It sure sounds
familiar!!

 

[Betelgeuse74]

The problem is:
Everytime I reinstall I get corrupt files on the drive. The OS works
and boots fine, but driver- and program-files which I have downloaded
becomes corrupt. If I try to install Nvidia GeForce drivers I get an
error message saying the file is corrupt and I need to download a
fresh copy and confirm its integrity. If I do so, it works fine. But
I'm worried that the system is/will become unstable. I have tried to
reinstall the system several times now, and I always get an error with
downloaded files, my documents and Outlook .pst files (As a result I
lost over 2GB of jpg pictures taken with my digital camera over the
past 3 years... Back up was stored on the 250GB S-ATA disc and it was
corrupt too, unfortunately) --> IF ANYBODY HAS ANY TIPS ON HOW TO
RESTORE/REPAIR CORRUPT JPG-FILES I'M ALL EARS!

WOW!! I searched the Abit forums, and it was a well-known topic. The
problem lies with the Silicon Image controller. And there are many
tips on how to correct this. I haven't read up on the solution or
tried to fix/reinstall, but I will do that in the next couple of days.
I'll keeps you guys (and girls) posted!

In the mean time; Thanks for all your input, and if anybody knows a
good way to repair corrupt jpg-files I would REALLY appreciate it!

 

[Chris]

Hi, which motherboard bios and sata drivers are you using. There is known
corruption issues particular to each version, this forum will have a post
that will help,
http://forums.pcper.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&forumid=7
Chris C

 

[Bob Willard]

In the mean time; Thanks for all your input, and if anybody knows a
good way to repair corrupt jpg-files I would REALLY appreciate it!

You have just discovered the value of periodic backups.

==> An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of repair.

 

[Peter R. Fletcher]

I think you may have intended to direct your comment to the OP - not
to me. My problem was definitely bad memory - the memory, when tested,
was clearly bad, and the problem did not recur after it was replaced.

Hi, which motherboard bios and sata drivers are you using. There is known
corruption issues particular to each version, this forum will have a post
that will help,
http://forums.pcper.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&forumid=7
Chris C

Please respond to the Newsgroup, so that others may benefit from the exchange.
Peter R. Fletcher

 

[Chris]

Of course I was Peter....
Chris C

I think you may have intended to direct your comment to the OP - not
to me. My problem was definitely bad memory - the memory, when tested,
was clearly bad, and the problem did not recur after it was replaced.




Please respond to the Newsgroup, so that others may benefit from the
exchange.
Peter R. Fletcher