Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

Computer newbies forum: How do you tell when your hard drive is going...

by: raddman January 25, 2007 9:40 PM PST

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

How do you tell when your hard drive is going...

by raddman - 1/25/07 9:40 PM

Hi...Was wondering if there are any symptoms of a hard drive getting bad besides the squealing bearings...

Can anyone give me some things to look for in the early stages?

thank you...


Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Other signs that a hard drive is dying:

by Paul C - 1/26/07 1:41 AM

In Reply to: How do you tell when your hard drive is going... by raddman

1. Strange whirring/clicking noises;

2. Inability to retrieve data/start programs or very long retrieval/startup times (especially when booting up the PC);

3. Difficulty/impossibility to write data to disk;

4. Random disk read errors during normal operation.

If you get any of these on a regular basis, drop everything you're doing and copy all your vital files to another HD/DVD/CD immediately. Then get another hard drive and reinstall everything to it.

Of course, if you already have good backups stored elsewhere than on the problem HD, you're ahead of the game...


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

If you know the mfr's name

by Ray Harinec - 1/26/07 3:36 PM

In Reply to: How do you tell when your hard drive is going... by raddman

go to their website and download their diagnostic program and run it.

Do you have smart drive enalbled for that drive. Both can sense some incipient failures early.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

How do you tell when your hard drive is going...

by klappjack - 2/2/07 7:24 PM

In Reply to: How do you tell when your hard drive is going... by raddman

Hard drives can and do fail without warning.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

A couple of classic freeware programs to try

by nicolebond - 2/3/07 12:57 PM

In Reply to: How do you tell when your hard drive is going... by raddman

I tried these programs a couple of years ago when I had a similar problem. I really can't remember much about them, but they may be worth a try:

HDD Health from http://www.majorgeeks.com/HDD_Health_d3654.html
SMARTUDM - HDD S.M.A.R.T. Viewer from http://www.sysinfolab.com/download.htm

Hope these help.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

More Discussions

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • DISH staffDISH staff
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close