My hard drive is failing right?

[runnin_guy]

I have been having problems with my IBM Deskstar 16 GP hard drive, it keeps locking up. What happens is that the computer will freeze all of a sudden, and then it starts polling my CDR (Secondary slave) but there is no cd in it. The computer never unfreezes, so I must restart it. Once I get into Win 98 I run scandisk and I get the following error:
This drive's boot area contains important information that is damaged or invalid. This can cause Windows to report the drive's free space incorrectly or slowly. ScanDisk repairs the boot area by recording the correct values in this area.
Scandisk will fix the error, I rerun the program to make sure it is fixed, and it is. Unfortunately, after a couple of hours or days the computer will freeze, and the error reappears.

I have run IBM's Drive Fitness test and EZ-SMART, but neither reports a problem with the drive. I would say that in the last two days this has happened about 6 times. I reformatted my hard drive, but the error still ocurrs, that's why I would say the drive is failing. BTW the system is not overclocked.

Thanks for any help!

[This message has been edited by runnin_guy (edited 08-13-99).]

[Mntsnow]

With you having already done a reformat and scandisk (A**suming it was a "complete test" of the data and free space) I would be on the horn to IBM getting a RMA #.

When you pay the price for "quality" drives the second I get a replacement asap.

Thats my advice

Mntsnow

[DavidX]

I second that!

[runnin_guy]

The error ocurrs when I run the "Normal" and the "Thorough" Scandisk option. I guess that I will get that replaced, it isn't even six months old. Thanks for the reassurance.

[Mntsnow]

Good Idea!
Get your information that you want to keep backup up to someother media and then when your ready to send in the drive for the replacement I personally format the drive prior to sending it back so they can't access any data that I had on the drive.

Mntsnow

[BBA]

It's not impossible that a virus can also cause these symptoms.

There is an article in the WindowsNT magazine that explains how to use Debug to write a script to overwrite the MBR with all zero's to erase all data on the drive permamently so a fresh partition and format is possible. I will find it if you are interested in trying it, as it will completely rid the drive of any virus once the PC is powered off after this is done.

It could save the time to RMA a drive.

BBA


BBA

[Danzego]

Ya know, not that long ago, I had a similar problem. My deskstar (10GB, 5400RPM) would click and then freeze (none of the errors you were getting on startup). Never really figured what the prob was (same deal, diagnostics saw nothing). I just took it back to where I got it and picked up a WD 7200RPM 10GB Expert (they had no more IBM's, but this is made by IBM as I understand). Reason I'm posting to this thread is because I'm just letting you know to do everything you can to make sure it's the drive and not something else causing this. Reason being is if you get an RMA # from IBM and ship the drive back, all you're going to get in return is a refurbished replacement drive (it says so right on their website). Now who the hell wants that? I work at a store that deals in alot of refurbs, and I'll tell ya, they are bad more than working in my experience. Also, IBM may not be covering your drive if it is OEM. I would look into seeing if you can return the drive where you got it first. At least that way you can get something new in return.

[runnin_guy]

Danzego thanks for the info about getting a refurb'ed drive from IBM, I missed it on their site. That is definitely not what I want. Hopefully, CompUsa is helpful and willing to replace the drive.

Now all of a sudden my comp can't find my DVD and CDR, but when it freezes it still tries to access the CDR. I am just going to open the case and hope that it's just a loose data cable.

Thanks again

[Danzego]

Hey, no problem!! I figured you may have missed that part, as any company with policies like that are sure to hide them in fine print. I just happened to catch it when looking at their return policies and the word refurbished caught my eye (ever since working at Computer Renaissance, the word haunts me every single day!!). Oh, I said I got a 10 GB WD Expert, I should of said 18GB. I know it doesn't really matter, more of an honest boast if anything (I don't know what I was thinking, what am i going to do with all this space?). Good Luck dude!!