2006-11-17 07:55:00 · 5 answers · asked by edward m 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
buy a new hard drive yours is going bad
2006-11-17 07:58:00 · answer #1 · answered by bsmith13421 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume you mean off your hard disk ?
The hard disk is where you store all the data and programs that you load on the system. Sometimes if the disk gets bumped, overheats, or just gets old, you will get a bad spot on it.
Hard disks are broken down into sectors. You can think of these as small storage bins that you can put data into. If the sector is damaged, the hard disk keeps track of this bad spot by maintaining a list of bad sectors. It knows to never write anything in that area. However, if you already stored something in there BEFORE it went bad, then it is likely that the data will be unrecoverable.
There are programs in Windows that lets you scan the disk and make sure it is okay, or defrag the disk, which relocates data from one sector to another so that it is optimized. You can find these in START - Programs - Accessories - System Tools
As long as the scandisk or defragmenter checked the disk and flagged a sector as bad, you should not need to worry about it. The system will not try to store anything there.
However, if you start seeing more and more bad sectors popping up, better make sure you have a good backup of the data on the disk. That is a sign your hard disk is about to die on you and it may be time to replace it.
If the disk is dying, you can check with Circuit City, Best Buy or some electronic places like that and see if they can transfer the data for you from the old disk to the new disk. Otherwise, you may need to re-install anything you loaded on that computer.
MP3s, pictures, letters to grandma, family budget, etc are all at risk if that hard disk goes and you do not have a backup.
2006-11-17 16:06:48 · answer #2 · answered by SteveN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't, as the other answerers have said a sector is a physical part of your hard drive. Eventually your hard drive will cease to function. I would backup your important data pronto and if you find a good deal on a new hard drive somewhere buy it and get it installed. I have seen hard drives with bad sectors last 6 months or longer and some won't last 6 days.
2006-11-17 16:48:39 · answer #3 · answered by Helpdeskpilot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't bad sectors are physical problems with the hard drive that can't be repaired. You can keep using it, but you should look at getting another HDD soon.
2006-11-17 16:03:06 · answer #4 · answered by joannaserah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Number one of causing bad sectors is when your computer freeze and you shut it off or UN plug the power cable.
2006-11-17 16:07:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋