Hard drive failure?

[Spikey217]

So recently I noticed that my Windows was unstable. It would freeze having me hard reset the computer. Programs would fail to start. Certain downloads would CRC error.

So I purchased a 7900GT and thought with all those problems, I would reinstall Windows to see if that would help. When in Windows installation, certain files would be unable to copy onto the hard drive and windows would tell me to hit enter to retry or F3 to quit setup. I took my Windows XP OEM disc out and saw a few scratches. Nothing that would cause a bad read. So, just in case it was the scratch, I did a 1:1 copy of the disc. There were no read errors when copying so I'm guessing that it's not the disc. I used the copied disc to try and install Windows, and it also errors, telling me that it wasn't able to copy a certain file to the hard drive and it might be caused by a bad disc. In both cases, the files that Windows setup was trying to copy were different files.

My Windows is installed on a first gen 36gb Raptor. Any ideas?

 

[Markbnj]

Boot off of the XP CD and run chkdsk. It sure sounds like disk errors, but it might not be actual drive failure. Could be a low power situation, overheating, BIOS settings (transfer mode, for example).

 

[Spikey217]

chkdsk results in "one or more errors on the volume".

I believe the power is enough. Seasonic S12 500w. I also have two 80mm Panaflos blowing directly onto the drive.

What BIOS settings could cause these problems? The initial installation of Windows (before the reformat) ran without problems until the last few days.

I'm running WD's diagnostics right now. 8 minutes remaining. Will report back soon.

 

[Spikey217]

WD tools report no errors. I still don't understand why it refuses to install Windows.

I'm going to try to use the WD tools to write zeroes and reinstall Windows again.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I would try a diff HD. If Windows installs, then you isolated the HD as your sole problem...

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, It could also be the CD reader. Get a CD test and check it. Nero comes with a pretty good one. Use a CD with as much data as you can find. Good Luck, Jim