Scan for bad sectors will not complete the scan on C:drive
I am particular about keeping my computer clean and virus free. I do a viriety of scans on a regular basis. Recently, however, the scan for bad sectors competes 3 of the 4 phases then hangs at 71% on the 4th phase and will not complete the scan. I am using Windows XP Pro Media Center Edition on an HP 864n desktop. I have tried using the scan on start up along with the fix file system errors to no avail. I have also tried safe mode. I even done a destructive system recovery reinstalling windows. Nothing helps!1 person got this answerI do too
December 10th, 2009 8:42pm

The hard drive is probably bad. Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility downloaded from the drive mftr.'s website or use Seagate's SeaTools For DOS. You will create a bootable CD with the file you download. You will need third-party burning software to do this such as Roxio, Nero, or the free ImgBurn. Burn as an image, not as data. http://www.imgburn.com http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools/seatooldreg http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=201271 (how-to) Boot with the CD you made and do a thorough test of the drive. If it fails any physical tests (or can't complete them), replace it.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
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December 11th, 2009 4:12pm

Thank you for the response.Your instructions were clear and precise, and the links were of great convenience. I ran seagate seatool. Unfortunately the test failed at about 78% of the scan. It had begun to detect errors (24 before the scan stopped in error). This is approximately the same percentage of scan chkdsk completes prior to freezing. I also ran chkdsk from command prompt the night before which detected file system errors. I was able to repair some of the files but not all. I suppose all of this is due to multiple system recoveries or too many defrags or even a combination of both. In any event, thanks again. I have backed up my files and will continue usage until it simply stops. No big deal since the HP has recovery.Sincerely, JoelPS. Is it possible to create a partition quarantining the bad sections of the diskand simply ignore that partition? The drive is 160GB. Much more than what I need.
December 11th, 2009 8:38pm

Thank you for taking the time to let me know I was helpful and what the problem turned out to be. No, you need to just replace the hard drive. Hard drives are relatively cheap and if your machine is under warranty, that is even better. Make sure you have created physical recovery discs since the new hard drive will not have the special HP recovery image on it.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
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December 11th, 2009 11:37pm

Ok now I am a little confused. My recovery program is on D drive. The drive I am having problems with is C. Are you saying there is a special image on C that will affect my recovery?
December 12th, 2009 4:31pm

In all probability you have one physical hard drive which has been partitioned into C: and D:. The special HP recovery image resides on D:. So if the entire hard drive dies, your recovery image is gone too. If you didn't make the physical recovery discs using HP's recovery disc creator, you can order a set from the company for very little money ($20-25). Even a new hard drive that comes from HP won't have their recovery image on it so you'll need the recovery discs.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
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December 12th, 2009 4:51pm

Hahahaha... You are absolutely right. There is only one drive. I would have never known this until I went to replace the drive and been like where the He!! is my D drive....lol. Fortunately, HP has a recovery disk creator. Just not sure how many disk I will need. When I create the disk, will I need to label them in the numeric order in which they were created and insert them in that same order? I hope that doesn't sound so stupid but I'm a first timer regarding this. Also, I reviwed your website. There is some verygood information there. I noticed that you recommend starting your computer in safe mode when scanning and/or removing a virus. I was wondering if the reason for that is to decrease the scan time since there are less processes running or is there some other significant reason for that. And, do you recommend turning system restore off prior to scanning and/or removing a virus if you are using Xp or anearlier os?
December 12th, 2009 7:31pm

1. You will label the recovery discs numerically. The recovery creation utility wizard will tell you to do this. 2. The reason for scanning in Safe Mode is because you can't normally delete a file if that file is in use. Most malware will be in use; i.e., running, in Regular Mode. The only exception (as I think I pointed out on the website) is that malware removal experts suggest running MBAM first in Regular Mode. 3. I never turn System Restore off before attempting to clean a machine. The reasoning is that getting back to a working but infected system is preferable to not getting back to a working system at all. The infected files in the System Restore points can't hurt you unless you use System Restore. After a computer is all nice and clean I will turn off System Restore, reboot to flush out all the files, and then turn it on again.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
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December 12th, 2009 8:08pm

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