[NeoTifa]

So, basically, I gotta wipe my hard drive, no doubt about that. Thing is, I have 2 partitions, and both are fucked. How do I go about fixing them?

[modi123_1]

Elaborate on how the partitions are fucked, and what you expect "fixed" to be... as in wiped completely, or back to some working order?

What os is this with?

[NeoTifa]

Well, they both have bad clusters and sectors and stuff, and I need them no bad. XD Basically, I read that you have to completely wipe the drive, repartition, then reinstall your operating systems, etc. How do I wipe the drive and make it not bad anymore?

[modi123_1]

Depending on how long you can last without it a serious chkdsk /f should work... it may take the grip or two.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265

[GunnerInc]

AFAIK, a bad cluster/sector is forever. Get enough and it is time for a new HDD. But with technology nowadays, SMART should of warned you something is wrong.

[NeoTifa]

Wait, so I thought bad sectors/clustors were just unreadable junk data. Wtf? ;__; I'm too poor.

[GunnerInc]

when you run or the os runs chkdisk, if it can't read/write from a clustor/sector it marks it as bad. Why can't it read from that area? Dunno, old drive, kicked your computer while on, power surge, solar flare, dunno. If that area of the HD is bad, what magic can fix it?

Eat Ramen noodles for breakfast, lunch and diner for a week and you can buy a cheap drive.

When you run chkdisk and select something like recovery of bad sectors, it tries to save that data however it could. If you open the .chk files in a hex editor you might see data from a few files mashed together, you can then try to select and save stuff.

This post has been edited by GunnerInc: 13 April 2012 - 06:11 PM

[NeoTifa]

Damn, my sound card is fucked too, and I need a new graphics card. Might as well just get a new computer. ;__;

[GunnerInc]

Does your computer do its job? Just use the on board sound and video of the MOBO.

[NeoTifa]

Barely. I need to record shit for my German class, but the mic input doesn't even work anymore. Also, playing video games is a pain. Windows barely even boots, and it takes literally 45 minutes to boot up. Yeah, I need a fix. I can't handle shitty computers.

[no2pencil]

NeoTifa, on 13 April 2012 - 03:51 PM, said:

How do I go about fixing them?

I explained this (in detail I must admit) in your other topic when you first started having issues.

You stated that you were unable to follow those directions. If you couldn't then, how do you plan to do it now?

NeoTifa, on 13 April 2012 - 09:12 PM, said:

Damn, my sound card is fucked too, and I need a new graphics card. Might as well just get a new computer. ;__;

.... I really doubt that it's your card. You seem to have issues, not the computer.

[blindstone]

There are a couple ways bad clusters can happen. Mechanically and hardcode tables corruption. only 1 is repairable. if its mechanically then you're done copy the data the best you can to a new drive. if its in the cluster tables then it might be able to be repaired. Best suggestion is use a working system and burn the Ultimate boot cd to a blank cd-r iso can be found here Follow the instructions and use only the manufactuers program to check the drive for bad sectors. But i would suggest using memtest first on the system just to double check and make sure its not a ram issue.

Once you run memtest and it passes then boot back off the cd and use the HDD diagnostics test. If errors are found (also depending on the drive type) it might be able to repair an issue, only if its a table issue. You wont find out until you attempt it.

Good luck!

[blackcompe]

NeoTifa: Most of what I've seen on the net says a bad cluster can be a software (fixable) or hardware (non-fixable) problem. If chkdisk fails to fix them or can't even complete, then it's probably time to get a new disk.

Quote

Windows barely even boots, and it takes literally 45 minutes to boot up.

I doubt that's from bad sectors. What are the specs on the machine? Have you scanned for viruses? Tried starting up in diagnostic mode? As mentioned, running memtest is a good idea.

I'd consider a backup and clean install before trashing the drive though.

This post has been edited by blackcompe: 18 April 2012 - 01:57 PM

[blindstone]

blackcompe, on 18 April 2012 - 01:55 PM, said:

Quote

Windows barely even boots, and it takes literally 45 minutes to boot up.

I doubt that's from bad sectors.

It's very common for a failing hard drive to slug the systems speed right down. Such as making the system not boot full for over an hour. its about half n half for a hard drive failing to either blue screen the system or just slowing it right down. Depending on the damage.

[blackcompe]

Quote

It's very common for a failing hard drive to slug the systems speed right down.

I see.