17 replies to this topic

[jnelsoninjax]

So I am almost certain that part of my systems problem is the HDD, but I would like to know for sure. I have been having a rash of system freezes, and BSOD's (the most recent labeled Kernel memory) I am reasonably sure that I am in need of a new PSU also, which I hope to be able to purchase next month. Just the morning I had a BSOD, which stopped at 55% of doing a memory dump to the disk, then upon restart windows would not start, the system simply does a POST, and then windows never starts. I am able to 'fix' this by turning off the PSU for 2-3 mins and then turning it back on. I am really unsure as what else might be causing the issues. I did do a sfc/scannow from safe mode, and it passed. SMART data for the Windows drive does not really show anything abnormal, and if this drive is the issue I can RMA it. My concern is what I should be focusing on. I do have a brand new 1TB laptop sized HDD, which I could use for windows while the drive goes out for RMA, but I really feel that I should replace the PSU prior to installing any new HDD's in the system. Any advise or suggestions would be appreciated!

[xendrome]

Have you tried to run memtest86+ on it yet for a couple of passes?

[Hum]

I would just go to Wal-Mart and buy one reliable system.

You have more computer problems than 50 other people.

[jnelsoninjax]

xendrome, on 30 December 2012 - 16:10, said:

Have you tried to run memtest86+ on it yet for a couple of passes?

Not yet, but I really do not suspect that the memory is the issue.

Hum, on 30 December 2012 - 16:12, said:

I would just go to Wal-Mart and buy one reliable system.

You have more computer problems than 50 other people.

I would never buy a computer from Wal-Mart!

[Luc2k]

Have you checked the health of the HDD with something like Hard Disk Sentinel or HD Tune?

[jnelsoninjax]

Luc2k, on 30 December 2012 - 16:17, said:

Have you checked the health of the HDD with something like Hard Disk Sentinel or HD Tune?

[+Crisp]

Looks like a bad drive

[Hum]

^ Such a small amount of bad sectors can be 'fixed' by running Windows error checking.

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[Hum]

WOW -- I feel special

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[+warwagon]

Hum, on 30 December 2012 - 16:24, said:

^ Such a small amount of bad sectors can be 'fixed' by running Windows error checking.

530 is not a small number. Backup and replace the drive.

How Many bad sectors are too many
http://www.neowin.ne...s-are-too-many/

[Detection]

Hum, on 30 December 2012 - 16:46, said:

WOW -- I feel special

The 18% disk is fine though lol Its warned me for years to back it up, its completely full and I use it all the time for storage

[REM2000]

bad sectors will usually increase, however i would recommend you replacing your drive. Ok you may be happy with the loss of space from the bad sectors but you will suffer performance problems.

For example when you click on my computer windows will scan each drive for space remaining etc.. If your drive is dying then it will take longer to check the drive, this will give the illusion of My Computer locking up, while the controller checks and gets past the errors.

If it was external drive it wouldn't be so much of a problem, however internal it will be a big PITA, you will probably notice your BIOS POST getting longer/will be getting longer as well,

[Luc2k]

When I see drives this bad I usually go with checkdisk > backup > full format. Have a look at the 1tb drive too, doesn't look that good either.

[Hum]

I'm no expert, but I wonder if having 4 or more hard drives in the case, is creating heat-to-infinity.

Maybe that is encouraging early drive failures.

[Hum]

warwagon, on 30 December 2012 - 16:52, said:

530 is not a small number. Backup and replace the drive.

How Many bad sectors are too many
http://www.neowin.ne...s-are-too-many/

Interesting ....

First of all, virtually every hard drive manufactured has bad sectors on it before it leaves the factory. A utility is run on the hard drive to find all the initial bad sectors and placed in a list. Every sector in the list is then remapped and saved to an area called the ‘Permanent Defect List’ or PList. It would be far too expensive to manufacturer a hard drive that every sector was perfect. The manufacturers take that into consideration so every drive that is made has a pool of sectors that is used only if a bad sector is found.