Recommended Posts

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!

Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1128376-system-behaving-strange/
Share on other sites

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.

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

You have more computer problems than 50 other people. :laugh:

:D I would never buy a computer from Wal-Mart!

^ 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/

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,

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.

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.

True. But by the time you start seeing bad sectors t's time to replace the drive.

I agree with warwagon. One or two I wouldnt worry about, any over 10-20 I would be concerned. Triple digits is imminent failure.

I also like to run chkdsk from the cmd prompt so I can see the status and results. Otherwise you have to search the event viewer Application log. Hard Disk Sentinel looks like a good utility.

To answer the OP's question, I would replace the hard drive asap. Why do you think your power supply is bad? Since your system is blue screening, it should be writing a memory dump. Try and analyze the dmp file with windows debugger.

  • 2 weeks later...

Update:

I took the system apart yesterday and blew out the dust.I also discovered that 3 of the SATA cables were cracked at the connection end! I have replaced them with 2 that I had on hand, going to order some more.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • will EU users be getting the extra 1yr update for free again?
    • Samsung announces Galaxy A27 5G with 120Hz AMOLED display, expanded AI features, and more by Fiza Ali Samsung has announced the Galaxy A27 5G, its latest mid-range smartphone, bringing a handful of upgrades over last year's Galaxy A26 5G. While the changes aren't dramatic, they touch several areas that people tend to notice most in day-to-day use, including the display, performance, and software support. One of the more noticeable updates is the screen. The Galaxy A27 5G comes with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display that now supports a 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and animations appear smoother. Samsung has also switched to an Infinity-O punch-hole camera design, which leaves more room for the display and gives the phone a cleaner look from the front. Under the hood, the Galaxy A27 5G is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor. The company says the new chip brings improved responsiveness in multitasking, gaming, and media consumption. The company also highlights GPU performance improvements and faster memory technology, which should contribute to smoother graphics rendering, quicker data handling, and improved power efficiency. Furthermore, Samsung has equipped the Galaxy A27 5G with a 12-megapixel selfie camera that is capable of capturing a wider dynamic range and more accurate colours. Like many smartphones launched recently, the Galaxy A27 5G also places a strong focus on AI features. Circle to Search with Google now supports multi-object recognition, making it easier to search for different products or items at the same time. The tech giant says the feature can also support virtual outfit try-ons directly from compatible search results. Photo editing tools are getting some attention as well, with Object Eraser updated to deliver cleaner edits when removing unwanted objects or people from images. Meanwhile, the Voice Recorder app can now transcribe and translate speech simultaneously in one of the 22 supported languages, which could be useful for meetings, lectures, or interviews. Samsung is also expanding AI assistant options on the device, with support for Google Gemini and Perplexity alongside Bixby. The company says these assistants will work more closely with Galaxy apps, including Gallery, to simplify common tasks. Samsung continues to strengthen its long-term software support policy with the Galaxy A27 5G. The smartphone will receive up to six generations of Android OS and One UI updates, along with six years of security patches from its initial global launch. In terms of security, the device includes Samsung Knox and Knox Vault, which are designed to help protect sensitive information stored on the phone. On the flip side, while the company is positioning the Galaxy A27 5G as a step forward from its predecessor, not every change is necessarily an upgrade. One of the first things buyers may notice is the higher price tag. The device launches at $349, making it $50 more expensive than the Galaxy A26 5G's $299 starting price. The selfie camera has also been reduced from 13MP to 12MP, while the ultrawide camera drops from 8MP to 5MP. Samsung has further downgraded the phone's dust and water resistance rating from IP67 to IP64. The Galaxy A27 5G is also marginally thicker at 7.8mm. The Galaxy A27 5G will be available in select markets starting July 3 and will come in four colour options, including Black, Blue, Light Green, and Light Pink. The company will also offer Samsung Care+ coverage plans for customers seeking additional device protection.
    • Doogee and Ulefone regularly release phones with 10k-25k mAh batteries, but those are bricks. I don't understand how they could make it only weigh 220 grams with a battery that size.
    • Windows 10 quietly gets one more year of support and updates by Taras Buria Windows 10 reached its end of life at the end of 2025. Microsoft kicked off the Extended Security Updates program, aimed at giving regular consumers one more year of security-only updates. By doing so, Microsoft gave users more time and money to update their computers to a newer operating system or compatible hardware. Now, with the end of the Extended Security Updates program quickly approaching, Microsoft is making an important adjustment. Users discovered that the official support article for the program now lists a new end-of-support date: The Extended Security Updates program is not a new concept. It has been an official way for business consumers to continue receiving critical updates for unsupported Microsoft products for many years. However, all this time, it was a business-only, paid feature. With Windows 10, Microsoft brought ESU to regular consumers, allowing them to get security updates for Windows 10 past October 2025 essentially for free. When Windows 10 was approaching the end of support, many guessed that Microsoft might adjust its support timelines, and this is exactly what seems to be happening. Of course, Microsoft would love everyone to switch to new computers, such as its latest Surface devices, but in the days of ever-growing hardware prices, not everyone is lucky enough to have money for a new PC. Leaving hundreds of millions of customers with a Windows version that no longer receives security updates is a major risk that Microsoft is not willing to take. If you have a Windows 10 PC to enroll in the Extended Security Updates program, check out this guide to learn how to do so.
    • Sony announces Bungie layoffs that will affect "significant number of employees" by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe Sony today announced that major layoffs are happening at its first-party studio Bungie, the developer that has spawned series like Halo, Destiny, and Marathon over the past decades. The news arrives just weeks after Bungie delivered the final update to Destiny 2, and it's that team being hit with the layoffs the most. CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment Hermen Hulst revealed the staff reduction today, calling it "painful news." "Over the past several months, together with Bungie leadership, we reviewed the studio’s long-term direction, development priorities, resource needs, and role within our broader portfolio strategy," said Hulst, explaining the decision. "We explored multiple alternatives before concluding that a reduction was necessary to align the studio’s resources with its current priorities and long-term goals." The layoffs will be hitting "a significant number of employees" across most of the Destiny franchise development team. It doesn't look like Sony is planning to continue the series following Destiny 2's sunsetting update. The studio is said to be in early stages of looking at other projects to pivot to, but it's said that keeping the size of the team at current levels is no longer feasible. "We know this decision has a profound impact on the people affected, their families, friends, and teammates," said Bungie leadership in a separate message on social media. "While these changes are necessary to best position the studio now and for the future, that does not lessen the difficulty of this moment or the impact it has on those affected." At the same time, "some" of the Marathon development team are also affected by the layoffs. The recently released multiplayer-only extraction shooter title hasn't seen a big boom of players either, but the company is reportedly hoping that the live service experience will pick up players with future updates.
  • Recent Achievements

    • First Post
      kinowa earned a badge
      First Post
    • Rookie
      krychek57 went up a rank
      Rookie
    • Grand Master
      Jaybonaut went up a rank
      Grand Master
    • One Year In
      Philsl earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Dedicated
      Scoobystu earned a badge
      Dedicated
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      438
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      168
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      133
    4. 4
      Xenon
      77
    5. 5
      Michael Scrip
      75
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!