Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
You should try to fix bad sectors on your hard drive before trashing it. Starting with "chkdsk" may help.
I recently tested my hard drive. The test revealed that I had a sector or partition that had failed and I was told I should look at replacing the hard drive because it may be catastrophic failure and crash. Should I replace the hard drive, can I repair my exsisting drive, if I do replace it can I then do some repairs and still use a portion of the drive?
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Before you replace, I always like to try for a repair. Most hard disks actually have some spare sectors they set aside for exactly this purpose.
You could get lucky and be able to save a few bucks.
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On Windows XP, I'd start with a "chkdsk/R". (/R: "Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information"). Fire up a Command Prompt to run that command. You can access Command Prompt by going to Start, Programs, Accessories, and then click on Command Prompt.
Under Windows 9x (95, 98 and Me), I believe scandisk has an option to do a surface scan and repair as well.
Another highly regarded option is a product called "SpinRite" available at Gibson Research which may also do the deed.
If those options both fail you, well, new hard disks aren't that expensive these days.
Article C2239 - December 11, 2004 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
September 27, 2011 11:55 PM
my laptop hard drive have 8kb bad sector
whow i can solve this problem
November 16, 2011 10:56 PM
Hi
I've tried chkdsk as per your instructions on a Hitachi 320gb external Harddrive (I have Windows 7) but get the response 'the type of the file is RAW. CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives. Is there anything else I can try please? Thank you either way
November 16, 2011 11:05 PM
Hi Again
I've just discovered the harddrive is in NTFS format. I have been asked to format it - I haven't, hence trying chkdsk. Fingers crossed I have a friend in need!!
Thank you again your time is appreciated.
March 14, 2012 3:42 AM
Does reinstalling os again and again affects harddrive?
17-Mar-2012
July 9, 2012 12:40 AM
It is hard to fix bad sectors. You can try to isolate the bad sectors. Try PBD(Partiton Bad Disk). It can isolate bad sectors and ceate good partitions.
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