Is my harddrive dying? or Operating system

[DareMe55]

I use windows vista 64 bit and western digital raptor 150gb 10krpm, the old one.


I just rebuilt a computer using all new parts except the hdd. The hdd is maybe 1 year and a few months old. The new computer has been running for about a month or two and I keep getting BSOD. Well about 2 weeks ago my computer crashed hard.... I tried recovery and everything and just said screw it and reformatted. didnt install any new programs except a few games. Well it BSOD again and now I get a "ataport.sys" error. I cant load into windows in any way, and system repair doesnt work. It just reboot loops.

Now google tells me it happens with vista. And some people also say it could be a hardware issue. Mainly harddrive. So Im stuck with 2 options. Im not going to bad talk vista at all. But I think I had a better time using Windows XP. So should I get Windows XP pro 64 bit ($140) and hope my harddrive lives. Or stick with Vista and get a new harddrive(maybe $200). Or should I get a new harddrive and Xp pro 64 bit(more money than I wished to spend)?


Thanks

[Firestrider]

First of all I'd say don't get a new operating system if you are buying now especially not XP 64-bit. I would use Windows 7 RC 64-bit until the official Windows 7 release unless you are playing games that use PunkBuster.

Second, I would make sure it is your hard drive that is the problem. Try some diagnostic tools for the memory, cpu, hard drive, etc to see if they throw errors. Most of them can be found on the Ultimate Boot CD (http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/)

[Omega Destroyer]

It could also be a driver related issue. Since after you re-installed windows you probably installed the same drivers.
As firestrider suggested you can stress test your components to see if it causes them to fail. Or you could install Linux for a few days and see if you still get random shut downs.
First I suggest you get some application that can read SMART data from your drive and see what that says.

[DareMe55]

How would I test all this if I cant even boot my computer? re install vista?

[kevlar93]

linux live cd. just pop it in and boot.

or use a flash drive then you can actually store data on it to diagnose the problem.

[dylskee]

I would use Windows 7 RC 64-bit

I second that suggestion, give it a try and see if the problem persists. It can't hurt and it's FREE!