Can my hard drive be saved?

Question

My compy is 4 years old. After uninstalling Linksys software that wasn't working properly, my computer wouldn't boot. After doing some research, I believed my boot.ini file had been corrupted (somehow). After booting from diskettes and the chkdsk /r thing, Windows finally booted. But the "Warning: Dell's Disk Monitoring System has detected that drive 0 on the primary EIDE controller is operating outside of normal specifications..." appeared after restarting.

I tried running a 90/90 diagnostic, but I never got a "drive functional/dysfunctional" message. Only "pass".

I also tried installing the BR64013.exe file. I'm not even sure if that installed properly as I couldn't exit the program and had to restart using the tower button.

I understand the SMART system is something you should take seriously. But is there anything else I can do to know for sure that my hard drive is done? I take care of my things, and I hate accepting that ONE uninstall as the downfall of my compy.

Thanks! :)

Answer 1

I think this is a hardware problem in hard disk. That wont happen because of a single uninstallation.

To confirm remove the hard disk and fix it to another computer (may be a friend's one) as the second disk. Boot from the friend's hard disk. Then you will know whether the problem is software or hardware.

Answer 2

I have had a lot of computer problems in the past but my old flatmate that now works for the government used to ways to fix it,you can use lynux boot cd and run it from there and try partitioning the hard drive to try and save any old data that you want to keep,you may also have to use some form of storage card to make this work if you are low on data space,while also using that programme use a 31/2 floppy a disk to check for system ram since won't run properly if one of the ram cards is burnt out which is why it took the 2 of us in my case to find the problem retreive my data and get rid of the virus that caused it

Answer 3

I never take the SMART seriously. I dont even have it active on any of my drives. Why? For the exact reaon you posted this question. You have run every test looking for a phantom error. SMART was a good idea, they just havent gotten it to work yet. SMART detects a simple crosslinked file on drives as a functional error. MY advice: disable SMART. You will have a smoother running machine (the drive will be less busy checking itself for ghost errors and more ready for your activities), and you wont waste many hours looking for errors that do not exist.

Don't take my word for it though, go to google and search for SMART and look at the techs advice about this misnomer. You'll see that the majority will confirm what I have said here.

Answer 4

I really do not know what the problem is, but it does not sound like a hardware problem. I suppose it could be a corrupted disk or something to that effect. It sounds like it's time to visit a repair shop. Oh, yes. One more thing: If you need the information on the hard drive and can not copy it, there are companies you can pay to copy it off of the hard drive for you. Just out of curiosity, what version of Windows are you running?

Answer 5

right click the hard drive/go to properties/ tools/do a check now
if a restore does not work ,try a registry mechanic and try a good defrag program,if you do not want buy a proffessional defrag o&o has also a free verion and it does better than the windows defrag/
you can get them here

Answer 6

the best thing to do for now is backup all data/files.. remove all partitions, re-add partitions, reformat the whole drive, there should be no badsectors :)

Answer 7

i think if u want to save ur computer and ur hardrive u should format it with ur reecovery cd thats the only way u can save it

Answer 8

Try reformating your hard drive

Answer 9

It sure can all the info on it too just disconnect on the inside and put it in your new one and all the info will be on there.

Answer 10

yes