HD Problem and application Freezup

[JoeP]

Hi All,

I have Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bits.

From time to time I have some freeze up of the application. So I ran the
CHKDSK when the computer was rebooting and did not see any message from the
CHKDSK that there was any problem. Also 2 days ago I could not BOOT since
some service could found in the HD and the OS suggested running a CHKDSK
that one was installed in drive D. Before that I got some messages from
Vista that temporarily the application could not get access to the drive.
Such as Word Document or Visual Studio.

After the CHKDSK was running and I got this message just before logging in.

Configuring updates
Stage 1 of 3 0% complete

What was that message all about?

How can I check completely the HD which is from Western Digital 150GB,
Raptor 10000 RPM.

Is that really could be an HD problem? Checking with the McAfee does not
seem I have a Virus.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Malke]

Hi All,

I have Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bits.

From time to time I have some freeze up of the application. So I ran the
CHKDSK when the computer was rebooting and did not see any message from
the CHKDSK that there was any problem. Also 2 days ago I could not BOOT
since some service could found in the HD and the OS suggested running a
CHKDSK that one was installed in drive D. Before that I got some messages
from Vista that temporarily the application could not get access to the
drive. Such as Word Document or Visual Studio.

After the CHKDSK was running and I got this message just before logging
in.

Configuring updates
Stage 1 of 3 0% complete

What was that message all about?

How can I check completely the HD which is from Western Digital 150GB,
Raptor 10000 RPM.

Is that really could be an HD problem? Checking with the McAfee does not
seem I have a Virus.

1. Back up your data.
2. Run a diagnostic utility downloaded from the drive mftr.'s website. You
will create a bootable CD with the file you download. You will need
third-party burning software to do this such as Roxio, Nero, or the free
CDBurnerXP Pro. Burn as an image, not as data.

http://www.cdburnerxp.se/

Boot with the CD you made and do a thorough test of the drive. If it fails
any physical tests, replace it.

Malke

 

[AJR]

From your post "...> Configuring updates

Stage 1 of 3 0% complete..." . You are receiving automatic updates which
are installed in "stages" usually prior to shutdown. If you are not
doing so - let update installation proceed.

 

[JoeP]

Hi There,

Thanks for the answer.

I went to this link
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=601&sid=30&lang=en and
created a bootable cd. The problem is it is looking at drive A instead of
drive C. My computer does not have drive A. As you see in the above link
that it is Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (CD).

I am getting a message: Can not load the file A:\Command.com. I guess that
iso file does not have all required files or that I missed something...
Anybody has an idea? (I burned that using Roxio)

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Malke]

Hi There,

Thanks for the answer.

I went to this link
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=601&sid=30&lang=en and
created a bootable cd. The problem is it is looking at drive A instead of
drive C. My computer does not have drive A. As you see in the above link
that it is Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (CD).

I am getting a message: Can not load the file A:\Command.com. I guess
that
iso file does not have all required files or that I missed something...

If you burned the .iso properly - with third-party burning software as an
image, not as data - then you simply need to set your computer to boot from
the CD drive first, just the way the instructions at the above link said.
You do this in the BIOS Setup.

Each computer has its own way of entering the BIOS. Look for a message when
you first turn on the computer. It will say something like "Press F2 to
enter Setup". Press that key and look for the Boot Priority or Boot Order
in the BIOS. Put the optical drive first, hard drive second. Some computers
also give you the ability to temporarily change the boot order when you
first start the machine without entering the BIOS Setup by pressing a
different key, for ex. F12. You'll then get a boot menu where you can
select which device should be first for that one time.

Accessing the BIOS
http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/reference/biosp.htm
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000235.htm

Malke

 

[Malke]

Hi Malke,

Thanks for your reply.
I created a bootable dvd actually using Roxio 9 and the option that I was
choosing was: Burn from disk image file. Under creator classic.

Then it was booted from the dvd but it tried to look for drive A. In this
link
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=601&sid=30&lang=en I
downloaded this file: Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (CD)

Maybe Western digital placed the wrong install file! does it make sense?
Yes and I went to the BIOS and changed the boot sequence to be the first
priority as the DVD.

"It tried to look for drive A"... What tried to look for Drive A? No, that
is the correct file. You are doing something wrong. I can't guess what
since I can't see your machine. Perhaps it is now time to consider having a
knowledgeable friend come over and help you or take the machine to a local
computer repair shop. I don't recommend using a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad
type of place.

I'm sorry, but I really don't know what else to tell you. I'm sorry I was
unable to help you.

Malke

 

[JoeP]

Hi Malke,

When I was booting from the DVD, and then when Dos was loaded the program in
the DVD was looking for Drive A. It said Drive A is not found. I really
thanks you for your help in here but I really followed your steps very
carefully. I think I should call Western Digital to clarify this problem
with them.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Malke]

Hi Malke,

When I was booting from the DVD, and then when Dos was loaded the program
in the DVD was looking for Drive A. It said Drive A is not found. I really
thanks you for your help in here but I really followed your steps very
carefully. I think I should call Western Digital to clarify this problem
with them.

It sounds like WD's diagnostic utility didn't see your hard drive. Try
Seagate's SeaTools for DOS, here:

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools

You do the same thing with it - burn as an image, not as data.

Malke

 

[JoeP]

Hi Malke,

That link http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools worked
like a charm. I also have Seagate HD in my computer, but Western Digital
should pay attention of their software, it really does not work.

When booted using the Seagate software it went right into the SeaTools for
DOS which provides graphical menu and mouse support as well.

Thanks Again.

Joe

 

[Malke]

Hi Malke,

That link http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools
worked like a charm. I also have Seagate HD in my computer, but Western
Digital should pay attention of their software, it really does not work.

When booted using the Seagate software it went right into the SeaTools for
DOS which provides graphical menu and mouse support as well.

Thanks Again.

You're welcome. Of course you realize that your problems might not be
because of a bad hard drive. The hard drive test is only one thing to try
and because of the symptoms you described, the first one I suggested. If
the hard drive tests good, something else is wrong and you'll need to
troubleshoot it. I'd do the RAM next and if the RAM is good, what you do
next depends on 1) whether you have a laptop or a desktop; 2) your skill
level.

Malke

 

[JoeP]

Hi Malke,

Thanks for your reply.

I ran CHKDSK and that fixed this problem for now.

Regards,

Joe