I think my hd is dying...

Mutant_Fruit

Recently one of my 2 hd's has started making a wierd noise, it generally lasts about 1-2 seconds, and sounds like the sound you get when you scrape a pin against paper.

However, scandisk shows up no bad sectors anywhere. How do i tell if it is on the way out? The last thing i want to do is wake up to a cloud of smoke coming out of my computer and a big BSOD. Are there any testing tools out there that can spot a HD on the way out?

SantaHoe

Generally the manufacturer of your harddrive will have some kind of dos-based utility that'll check out your harddrive for problems using the harddrives SMART features, along with surface scans and all that malarky.
Find out exactly which brand & model of HD you're dealing with, and hunt down their website.
Obviously enough, back up all essential data from the drive if you suspect it's on its way out.

unkel

Get your data backed up immediately before you do any tests, if you haven't got it backed up already - just in case

SantaHoe

Is there an echo in here?

SantaHoe

Is there an echo in here?

nm

Mutant_Fruit

I just found out i have a Deathstar... just google for "ibm deathstar" and you'll know what i mean.

Me shudders.

unkel

Originally posted by SantaHoe
Is there an echo in here?

nm

Just wanted to make the point to backup BEFORE running any tests and not the other way around

Originally posted by Mutant_Fruit
I just found out i have a Deathstar... just google for "ibm deathstar" and you'll know what i mean.

Me shudders.

I heard about those alright

OfflerCrocGod

Is your HDD a Seagate Barracuda?, cause I'm getting that noise aswell (sorta electric?). I've had that noise since I first bought the drive 2-3 months ago - it doesn't worry me too much cause it's been there since I bought it:dunno:.

OfflerCrocGod

Ok ignore my last post:rolleyes:, I started my reply over a half an hour ago and just finished it 1 minute ago , I was busy!.

Mutant_Fruit

guys guys guys! not only is there a post delete button, there's also a post EDIT button, so you don;t have to double post....

My drive is an IBM deathstar, the 60GXP i think. i checked yesterday but i forget now.

luckat

Mutant, in my (limited) experience, the noise to worry about on hard drives is a kind of nrrr nrrr sound, a gritty grinding. That's the death-rattle of drives.