Computers: How do you know....

[intrigued]

when your hard drives days are numbered? What are the symptoms? Is there an online test or something that you can use?

I think I'm gonna be a goner very, very soon.

 

[SuperShyGuy]

There are a thousand different symptoms, but here's one piece of advice from someone who learned the hard way: if something seems wrong, DON'T IGNORE IT! It will not just go away on it's own. Getting you computer looked at can be pricy, but it could save you money in the long run. Kind of like getting your car tuned up, it's probably a good idea.

 

[intrigued]

Thank you. I'm doing everything I know to do. I went to the mfg's site and ran a diagnostic test on it, and it said it was performing fine. (Well, C drive is) I'm less than convinced because of all the things its doing.

I started another thread on the General Board that goes into it in more detail. I guess I'll just go ahead and replace it, I don't know what else to do.

Thanks again!

 

[Jaded1]

when your hard drives days are numbered? What are the symptoms? Is there an online test or something that you can use?

I think I'm gonna be a goner very, very soon.

Well, intrigued that would be terrible if that happen...

Here is something you may want to try. I am gathering that you are working with a PC and are running windows.

1. Go to the start button lower left corner of your screen and click
on it.

2. Move the cursor upward and click on the word programs.

3. Look for and move your cursor to the word accessories then click on it.

4. Find the word system tools and move the cursor to it then click
on it.

5. Move the cursor to the words disk clean up and click on it.
What this will do is remove all temporary files from your hard
drive. Each time you play on the internet numerous temporary
files are placed on your hard drive. Disk clean up gets rid of
them. This will take a few minutes depending on the number
of garbage files are on your hard drive.

6. After completion repeat steps 1 through 4. Now you're going to
look for a systems utility called disk defragmenter. Click on disk
defragmenter. If you have not run this utility in a while your
data files will be spread out all over your hard drive. By running
this utility you are essential reading these data into memory and
re writing back out onto your hard drive. Freeing up all the
space between these file. Letting you reclaim part of your hard
drive again. It also reports the number of hard sector that are
bad. If this count is high then it is time to replace the hard
drive. If the count is low or zero this could speed up your hard drives
performance........ Do not be alarmed this will take a while
to run if you have not run this utility in a while!

Any additional question please feel free to PM me....

Jaded1, CT

 

[CasusCoiti]

ScanDisk should be run before Defrag. Select the "Thorough" option and it will test every cluster on the drive(s) selected. It takes forever, and to keep it from being interrupted, close every program first (if you use cable internet, disconnect it as well since many will interrupt a scan by having write processes).

This may be the 'diagnostic test' the manufacturer had you run. If it is, disregard. Otherwise, run this asap.

 

[SuperShyGuy]

These guys are right. Run scandisk and disk defragmenter every once on a while. I run mine every week, which is a little more than you need to. Run those programs once or twice a month to keep your system running at top speed. Oh if you haven't been running them before, be warned these programs take a LONG time to do their job, but it's worth it.

 

[sxylegs]

Re: Re: Computers: How do you know....

Well, intrigued that would be terrible if that happen...

Here is something you may want to try. I am gathering that you are working with a PC and are running windows.

1. Go to the start button lower left corner of your screen and click
on it.

2. Move the cursor upward and click on the word programs.

3. Look for and move your cursor to the word accessories then click on it.

4. Find the word system tools and move the cursor to it then click
on it.

5. Move the cursor to the words disk clean up and click on it.
What this will do is remove all temporary files from your hard
drive. Each time you play on the internet numerous temporary
files are placed on your hard drive. Disk clean up gets rid of
them. This will take a few minutes depending on the number
of garbage files are on your hard drive.

6. After completion repeat steps 1 through 4. Now you're going to
look for a systems utility called disk defragmenter. Click on disk
defragmenter. If you have not run this utility in a while your
data files will be spread out all over your hard drive. By running
this utility you are essential reading these data into memory and
re writing back out onto your hard drive. Freeing up all the
space between these file. Letting you reclaim part of your hard
drive again. It also reports the number of hard sector that are
bad. If this count is high then it is time to replace the hard
drive. If the count is low or zero this could speed up your hard drives
performance........ Do not be alarmed this will take a while
to run if you have not run this utility in a while!

Any additional question please feel free to PM me....

Jaded1, CT

Hi Jaded1...
Just a quickie......That has to be the sexiest AV that I have seen.....Really cool......

Thanks for sharing!!!!

 

[Jaded1]

Re: Re: Re: Computers: How do you know....

Hi Jaded1...
Just a quickie......That has to be the sexiest AV that I have seen.....Really cool......

Thanks for sharing!!!!

Sorry, sexylegs... But, Jaded1 is not into quickies!

By the way GREAT LEGS....

The word for today is legs! Let's spread the word....

Luv ya. You're such a very naughty vixen....

Jaded1, CT

 

[sxylegs]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Computers: How do you know....

Sorry, sexylegs... But, Jaded1 is not into quickies!

By the way GREAT LEGS....

The word for today is legs! Let's spread the word....

Luv ya. You're such a very naughty vixen....

Jaded1, CT

Quickies are fun too....especially if you only have a few moments before you get caught!!!!!.....oh what fun......

 

[intrigued]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice.

I did a diagnostic test, it passed. I tried to run a scan disk so I could defrag (did both about a month ago) but kept getting a pop up stating that it had attempted 10 times, but that something else was writing to the disk and for me to close all programs. Well, in my mind, everything was closed, I had nothing up but my desk top. Trail told me there are things running that I can't see, and that I have to do a process of elimination to determine what it is and what I should close. That terrifies me, I don't know how to proceed....

 

[SuperShyGuy]

Do you have some sort of an antivirus firewall? They can cause some strange stuff to happen. Try turning it off and see what happens when you run a scandisk. Oh if it works don't forget to turn it back on when you are done!

 

[Jaded1]

How do you know.....

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice.

I did a diagnostic test, it passed. I tried to run a scan disk so I could defrag (did both about a month ago) but kept getting a pop up stating that it had attempted 10 times, but that something else was writing to the disk and for me to close all programs. Well, in my mind, everything was closed, I had nothing up but my desk top. Trail told me there are things running that I can't see, and that I have to do a process of elimination to determine what it is and what I should close. That terrifies me, I don't know how to proceed....

Hi, intrigued....

It sound like you're discribing a read/write error. You very well may have a numerous bad sectors on the hard drive. The operating system does set aside a area on your disk to use when a disk sector becomes flawed it will write the information into what is know as the overflow area. Once this area is used up do to bad sectors on the hard drive you will see that area message about trying to write information to a bad sector. Usually, once a hard drive crashs the information is no long available. Yes, there area companys that can recovery some information but the procedure is very expensive.

I would recommend replacing the hard drive in your machine as soon as possible. Many computer repair shops can install a new drive for you and copy the data on your current hard drive the the new hard drive.

I would also recommend purchasing a quality hard drive such as a western or seagate. You should also think about increasing the size at the same time. As we all do know size matters..... Yes, the are a little more expensive but I don't think you want to go through this again anytime in the near furture.....

Intrigued, have a great week end..........

Jaded1, CT

 

[lobito]

testing the drive doens't actually mean it'll work the next time you turn on the computer. If you suspect something could go wrong very son wtih your existing hard drive, go buy a new hard drive, and a copy of Norton Ghost for @ $125 total (HD & Software), and be safe before you are sorry.

 

[ArtifexLignorum]

Bad HD?

Your symptoms sound more virus like than mechanical.

Rather throw money immediately at the issue. Try the fine virus swatters that are out there and see if it improves. Also, if you can eliminate some of the clutter (ie. delete a buch of stuff you dont need) which could be on your disk and then try rerunning your house keeping tools. Things may improve significantly. This is not to say your drive may be going south, but it is worth trying the software fussery first.

Good luck.

 

[sxylegs]

Re: Bad HD?

Your symptoms sound more virus like than mechanical.

Rather throw money immediately at the issue. Try the fine virus swatters that are out there and see if it improves. Also, if you can eliminate some of the clutter (ie. delete a buch of stuff you dont need) which could be on your disk and then try rerunning your house keeping tools. Things may improve significantly. This is not to say your drive may be going south, but it is worth trying the software fussery first.

Good luck.

Good morn!!!

My daughters little gateway barely logged on the other day and I eliminated all the stuff on her desktop and boy that sure made a difference.....people dont realize how that bogs a computer down. also ....someone told you to defragment...that is a great idea cause if you play games they leave fragments of the game allover the place......also if you are interested check out....escorcher.com....that is the greatest virus check.....

 

[nationalsteel]

Ok somebody has to ask. What has the system been doing to make you think you have a hard drive problem? I saw a couple of symptoms pop up throught he thread but it would be horrible to go buy a new hard drive if all you had to do was update your virus definitions.

 

[sxylegs]

Ok somebody has to ask. What has the system been doing to make you think you have a hard drive problem? I saw a couple of symptoms pop up throught he thread but it would be horrible to go buy a new hard drive if all you had to do was update your virus definitions.

I agree with nationalsteel......it would also be a shame if you bought a new hard drive and all you needed was to defragment.....

 

[MystiqDrgn]

Just as a side note. You may want to make sure you are backing up important information as well. ~M~


____________
Built to tease, aim to please....or is that, built to please, aim to tease!