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Discussion: General Forums / Hardware & Software Discussion - Issues with a hard drive - I have an old pc that I gave to my dad after I started university.
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11-08-2009, 03:05 PM #1
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Issues with a hard drive
I have an old pc that I gave to my dad after I started university. Today he called to tell me that for the last few days, one of the 2 pc's HDs has been making making crunching noises and reading information much slower than before. He also mentioned that sometimes, Firefox and applications upon opening would abruptly freeze and would require ctrl-alt-del to close.
The hard drive that seems to be the problem is a 500GB Seagate that has been purchased in 2007. My initial diagnosis is that the HD itself is dying and would soon need to be replaced.
However it is also the hard drive that has the operating system (WinXP Pro SP3) installed. So before I tell my dad to purchase a new HD, am I right in thinking that it is a failing HD that needs to be replaced?
Thank you in advance.
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11-08-2009, 04:36 PM #2
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Re: Issues with a hard drive
more than likely, but I bet the seagate website has a HD checking utility so you might look for that to check for sure, if not the WD tool might work
Reapator, overlord of ponies
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11-08-2009, 11:18 PM #3
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Re: Issues with a hard drive
My dad tried the checking utility and the HD passed all tests, however, the system crashed on him several times during the installation and once after all the tests had shown that nothing was wrong...strange.
Originally Posted by Reaperassault
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11-08-2009, 11:26 PM #4
Re: Issues with a hard drive
I'd inspect the desktop first-hand yourself before jumping to a conclusion.
Try and go through the problem yourself before you go off and get a new HDD. It could simply be some viruses, spyware, and/or too many background apps running at the same time.Acreo Aeneas
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11-09-2009, 12:25 AM #5
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Re: Issues with a hard drive
A long time ago I had a trojan that caused similar symptoms. It taxed my computer like crazy until I was running a 2GB page file (this was in the days of Windows 98 when I was rocking 256MB of RAM) and it put a lot of strain on my HDD.
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11-09-2009, 01:51 AM #6
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Re: Issues with a hard drive
Is the drive physically making a *crunching* noise? Or is it just extremely dense read/write activity? Crunching noises, like metal on metal indicate a disaster about to happen, while intensive read/write activity could go either way. For safety's sake, I'd back up the data on that drive now, just in case.
"What if he has a pointed stick?"
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11-09-2009, 04:14 PM #7
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Re: Issues with a hard drive
@ Acreo Aeneas:
I live more than 500 miles away from my parents, so inspecting the desktop itself is not really an option.
@ Buckets:
My dad is paranoid about catching any kind of viruses/trojans (he has more safety programs installed than me), so I doubt that there is a trojan.
@shoopdewhoop:
The crunching noises are happening even during opening single applications and starting firefox...not sure if that is classified as dense read/write activity
But thanks for the help anyways so far
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11-09-2009, 04:59 PM #8
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Re: Issues with a hard drive
No remote desktop access option? Originally Posted by FL1Pmode
If he truly is good at keeping his system clean and can accurately describe a grinding sound vs a working sound then it is probably mechanical and the hard drive should be replaced. Don't forget that seagate drives most likely have at least a 3+ year warranty
Just because everyone does something does not mean that it is right to do.
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11-09-2009, 08:44 PM #9
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Re: Issues with a hard drive
sign up for a free log me in account (logmein.com) and have him go there using your UN/PW - once everything is installed, you have a very easy and clean remote desktop...
the best way to tell if the drive is failing is by copying the files off it to another disc (you know... the backup you need to do asap) if you get crc errors (like more than 3 or 4) do not trust the drive again.
It could be an EXTREMELY fragmented drive, and just needs to run defrag, it could be an OS issue and need to be wiped and reinstalled, or it could be the drive dying.Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -Albert Einstein
The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity. -Harlan Ellison
If all else fails: "rm -rf /"
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11-10-2009, 03:29 PM #10
Re: Issues with a hard drive
No matter how many "security/safety programs" he has installed doesn't guarentee he's safe from an infection. Also having multiple programs that essentially does the same thing also is counterproductive (even hazardous). Originally Posted by FL1Pmode
@ Acreo Aeneas:
I live more than 500 miles away from my parents, so inspecting the desktop itself is not really an option.
@ Buckets:
My dad is paranoid about catching any kind of viruses/trojans (he has more safety programs installed than me), so I doubt that there is a trojan.
@shoopdewhoop:
The crunching noises are happening even during opening single applications and starting firefox...not sure if that is classified as dense read/write activity
But thanks for the help anyways so far
For example: a firewall that has a active virus program and a separate virus program also active. The two will cause problems and let even more bugs slip through than just running one.
It's it's a older Seagate (2006 and before usually), they carry a 5 year limited warranty. All of the current ones only carry a limited 3 year warranty. Originally Posted by snooggums
No remote desktop access option?
If he truly is good at keeping his system clean and can accurately describe a grinding sound vs a working sound then it is probably mechanical and the hard drive should be replaced. Don't forget that seagate drives most likely have at least a 3+ year warranty
Yep, I'd try a remote login first even if you are 5,000 miles apart. Originally Posted by =DdogG=
Acreo Aeneas
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11-10-2009, 05:08 PM #11
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Re: Issues with a hard drive
From the OP Originally Posted by Acreo Aeneas
It isn't 2010 yet so a 3 year warranty would still be valid, and if it had a five year warranty for a disc from 2005 or 2006 it would also still be under warranty. I'd still get a new one then send the other back under warranty for a new backup hard driveThe hard drive that seems to be the problem is a 500GB Seagate that has been purchased in 2007. My initial diagnosis is that the HD itself is dying and would soon need to be replaced.
Just because everyone does something does not mean that it is right to do.
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11-10-2009, 08:28 PM #12
Re: Issues with a hard drive
Ah whoops, didn't bother looking back was in a hurry to type it all out and post. Originally Posted by snooggums
From the OP
It isn't 2010 yet so a 3 year warranty would still be valid, and if it had a five year warranty for a disc from 2005 or 2006 it would also still be under warranty. I'd still get a new one then send the other back under warranty for a new backup hard drive
I'd RMA the HDD with Seagate. Saves you from having to buy a new one.Acreo Aeneas
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Technology Relations Manager
Former 9th IHS Member. Long live the mobile infantry!
Novice Audiophile, Technology Enthusiast
"Arrrrgh! This waiting for BF3's beta is driving me up a wall!" - Acreo Aeneas
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11-10-2009, 10:33 PM #13
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Re: Issues with a hard drive
Does the BIOS POST say anything about the Drive. I know that the last drive that went on me showed up as bad in the POST.
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