Failing HD?! Need input, please

[Godfodda]

I think my primary HD is failing. It is a WD 30G Caviar (IDE) partitioned with 5G for OS (C), the rest for programs (D).

This started about an hour ago while Norton was checking D: for problems. BSOD said cannot write to C, files or data may be lost. NDD fixed FAT problems from DOS, but no luck. Scandisk fixed FAT problems from DOS, but no luck. Scandisk fixed more FAT problems, but no luck.

When I try to load Windows as usual, it hangs at the splash screen. When trying to work with files in DOS, both C & D are slower than a floppy and often freeze. My second drive (E) operates as expected. This leads me to believe that the IDE controller and the cable are both functional.

Trying to install the ghost image over the top of C yields more FAT problems on C. I can still access files on all of drive 1, but I'm assuming it's toasted or is becoming toast. I need to know the best way to salvage what I can from C & D, or anything that I might be missing that could fix this.

I've just formatted drive 2 into 2 partitions. I'm currently transferring the C backup to the primary partition on drive 2 so that I can at least enter Windows. I plan on trying to copy over all of D and the few items on C that have changed since my last backup (emails, etc).

Sorry for the rambling. Kinda wired, you know? :) Anyone have any ideas on this?

[Godfodda]

update:

Windows began loading fine, but entered directly into a thorough Scandisk on F (formerly D). Scanning now.

[JigPu]

Well, the only time I got that many FAT errors in a row was when I had the IDE cable half plugged in! So E is slaved to C+D, right? Just making sure, because I wasn't entirely sure (how that for unnececary talking?). Have you tried making sure all connections are in nice and tight? The IDE cable might be making intermittant contact with the HD.

This is a really strange case...
JigPu

[Godfodda]

Thanks for the reply jigpu. Yes, I mashed the cables into the back of the drives. Pushed down into the motherboard connector, too. The scandisk froze while scanning F. (Since I've swapped their Master/Slave status, it's now C,D on the good drive [drive 1 now] and E,F on the "bad" drive [drive 2 now].) Removed drive 2 from the cable and Windows booted fine when going into Safe mode. About to reconnect drive 2 and try to cancel out of the scandisk before it freezes.

BTW, JigPu, I have 13 finished WUs on the bad drive.
:mad:

[flounder43]

Originally posted by Godfodda
I think my primary HD is failing. It is a WD 30G Caviar (IDE)

Failing WD, why am I not surprised?

I would backup right away, and pray.

[Godfodda]

LOL

Thanks for the positive thoughts. :D

I'm in Windows now copying over from the dying drive. Seems to be working *so far*. And I just salvaged my SETI WUs. Woohoo! :beer:

[Godfodda]

Well, I got all of the second partition copied over so I end up losing nothing from there. My primary partition backup was 7 days old so I might lose my emails and other small items for the last week. Does anyone know where OE keeps the mail? I had to transfer the file quite a while back, but I forget where I found it... but I'm thinking it was in C:\Windows somewhere. I could also use the DOS command for copying entire directory structures, if anyone knows that (or if it even exists). Thanks!

[muddocktor]

I know the extension for them is ".dbx". Do a search and you should come up with them. That is for Outlook Express.

[Smizack]

Originally posted by flounder43


Failing WD, why am I not surprised?

I would backup right away, and pray.

Heh, that's what I was thinking.:D But I don't want to start another Hard drive war.;)

[MadGamer]

back up ,back up ,back up ,back up ,back up ,back up ,back up ,
thats the most sensible answer.
it's clear that your HD is dying on you.
one thing tho do you get bad clusters.
if yes look for a replacement if not it may be fixed.

[JigPu]

Unfortunatly, DOS dosen't have a way to copy whole directories at once (to my knowledge).... COPY will do all the files, but refuses to copy the subdirectories. XCOPY will copy whole trees at a time, everything except the all nescary .sys files. Stupid MS!

I might have to find my DOS 6 book (have searched for commands from the prompt and an aincient DOS 3 book) or that one site that is a copy of the DOS 6 help system... Let's hope there is a way.

JigPu

[Godfodda]

Thanks everyone for the help. I guess this is what I get for buying a "bargain" refurb. 90 day warranty... now I know why.

The little 18G Maxtor is chugging along fine at ATA66. Everything seizes when the WD is installed, so I copied over the necessities (while fighting with BSODs) and took it out. Will have to leave the rest until I return from my trip. And start looking for another HD. Maxtor is looking pretty good right now. :)

And yes, BACKUP! Thank goodness I'd Ghosted the OS partition a week prior or else I would've probably lost everything. A note on that, too. It seems that imaging each partition instead of the full drive would be quite beneficial in situations like this. Something to consider.

[Warlord2]

wow

my 30gb 7200 western digital did/is started that EXACT same thing about 1 month ago!!!

how long have you had yours?

I thought it was my mag drive that did it but maybe it was just a bad batch......

[Godfodda]

Originally posted by Warlord2
wow

my 30gb 7200 western digital did/is started that EXACT same thing about 1 month ago!!!

how long have you had yours?

I thought it was my mag drive that did it but maybe it was just a bad batch......

I got mine back in early summer from BB. It's only the 5400 flavor, though. And about 1 month ago, I started getting frags that I blamed on Norton. It may have been an early sign of what's happened now. Might want to keep fresh back-ups just in case.