Hard drive problems...

P

philiplg

New Member
Hard drive problems... (Corrupt/RAW?)

Well i got a new Sony VAIO laptop last thursday i think, came with windows vista 64bit pre-installed, however, after downloading updates, and Windows live messenger, the laptop just stopped working for about 10 minutes, i turned it off by holding power button down.

i booted it back up, and it took about 20minutes on the vista green bar loading thingy (technical, i know :P), i downloaded a Vista repair disk from a website, burnt it to a DVD, and started up.
I then tried chkdsk c: /r, and it got stuck at 10% for about 2 hours, then tried chkdsk c: /f /c /i, this got stuck at 23% for 7hours! i then tried chkdsk /r /c /i, still got stuck at 13%, not for a long time this time, i closed it, as i had the feeling it would be stuck there forever :P.

So today, i thought screw it, i didnt put anything on the laptop really... and tried format c:, encoutered bad sectors (2000 or so of them), so i then tried a CHKDSK again, this time it said, Disk type is RAW, and it could not run because of this.
So i then tried 'Convert c: /fs:NTFS' Again, unable to run because it cant convert RAW...

I've tried pretty much everything, i have a windows vista home premium install disk for my computer, but same options are available as the downloaded one.

So i dont mind if i loose all the data, i just really want to get the laptop back working.
Oh another thing is, i cant start windows normally, can only run the recovery/windows install disk. Any help is much appreciated.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

With chkdsk running into issues, and it being a new laptop, any chance you can take it back to be repaired under warranty? Doesn't often happen out of the box, but could be a faulty HD and if it's only a few days old, would be under warranty

They can at least just re-image it too (hopefully)
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    AMD x2 Dual Core 3600+ 1.9GHz
    Motherboard
    GigaByte GA-M55SLI-S4
    Memory
    2GB DDR PC2 5300 RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GTS 250 512mb
Judge's solution sounds like a good one. Try that first, and if they cant fix it or if they refuse, instead of formatting try a real wipe, using a program like DBAN (Boot and Nuke) which completely and irrevocably wipes your drive. Then try reinstalling Windows. However, if the actual HDD is bad, and HP refuses to fix it and you cant return it, then consider just buying a new HDD.

~Lordbob
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5QC
    Memory
    2x2GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9500GT 1Gb
    Sound Card
    Mobo
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 206bw
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SP2514N ATA 250Gb 7200RPM
    Samsung [Model] 1Tb 7200RPM SATA2
    PSU
    Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W
    Keyboard
    Razer Tarantula
    Mouse
    Razer Lachesis
    Internet Speed
    not fast enough
Hi Philiplg, welcome to the board.
I would take it back and have it replaced if possible. The problem may be just the HDD, but it could be broken solder joints.
 

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System One

  • CPU
    E6850
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    EVGA 122-CK-NF67-A1 680i
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    4 x OCZ Platinum 1GB
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    ATI Radeon HD 5850 1GB
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    SB X-Fi X Audio
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    Samsung 23" 5MS
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    2048 x 1152
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    2 x Barracuda 7200.10 320GB RAID 0 / 1 x 500GB Maxtor
    PSU
    Seasonic 600W M12
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    CM Centurion 5
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    air
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
I managed to use VAIO tools to do a partition removal, and wiped, and also formatted to HDD, which is good news. Tonight I'll try re-installing windows. thanks for all the fast replies :).

bruce2 said:
Hi Philiplg, welcome to the board.
Click to expand...
Thanks :), looking very helpful so far :p.
 

My Computer

System One

Alright that sounds good. Let us know how it works!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5QC
    Memory
    2x2GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9500GT 1Gb
    Sound Card
    Mobo
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 206bw
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SP2514N ATA 250Gb 7200RPM
    Samsung [Model] 1Tb 7200RPM SATA2
    PSU
    Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W
    Keyboard
    Razer Tarantula
    Mouse
    Razer Lachesis
    Internet Speed
    not fast enough
You may want to find out what HDD is in that machine...
Then travel to the manuf. site and DLoad their FREE diagnostics on it.
The DLoad is used to create a bootable CD so it can run even if Windows is not running.
If it is a flaky drive you want it replaced as soon as possible under warranty.
Good Luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Q6600
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5K MBoard.
    Memory
    4G OCZ PC2 8500 Platinum
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 8800GTS Vid Card
    Hard Drives
    500G Seagate SATA
    200G Seagate SATA
    100G WD Caviar SATA
    80G WD Caviar IDE
    PSU
    OCZ Elite 800W PSU
    Case
    RaidMax Smilodon Case
    Other Info
    Lite-On dual layer DVD burner X 2
    Dos 6.2;Win2K;XP; &
    Vista Ultimate 64Bit.
Well i got windows vista installed back on it, was working fine, untill it crashed, and shut off the power, i started it back up, ran Chkdsk /r and found two problems with Explorer.exe.

I think it is a faulty hard drive, as the HDD light at the front NEVER went off at all, and in the vista sidebar, i had a graph showing the HD usage, and it was constantly going up and down, but never went to the very bottom once, it might just be me, but i thought that was a little strange, as i wasnt doing ANYTHING on the computer at all.
The only though i had was, when chkdsk found a problem with explorer.exe that it was explorer.exe accessing the hard drive all the time.

Although chkdsk found two problems, with the parameter /r, it crashed trying to replace(?) i think it is :P.
 

My Computer

System One

Try to backup your data to an external drive, replace the hard drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    pair of Intel E5430 quad core 2.66 GHz Xeons
    Motherboard
    Supermicro X7DWA-N server board
    Memory
    16GB DDR667
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA 8800 GTS 640 MB video card
    Hard Drives
    SAS RAID
patio said:
You may want to find out what HDD is in that machine...
Then travel to the manuf. site and DLoad their FREE diagnostics on it.
The DLoad is used to create a bootable CD so it can run even if Windows is not running.
If it is a flaky drive you want it replaced as soon as possible under warranty.
Good Luck.
Click to expand...
Did you skip this ? ?

I don't type this stuff out for nothing...
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Q6600
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5K MBoard.
    Memory
    4G OCZ PC2 8500 Platinum
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 8800GTS Vid Card
    Hard Drives
    500G Seagate SATA
    200G Seagate SATA
    100G WD Caviar SATA
    80G WD Caviar IDE
    PSU
    OCZ Elite 800W PSU
    Case
    RaidMax Smilodon Case
    Other Info
    Lite-On dual layer DVD burner X 2
    Dos 6.2;Win2K;XP; &
    Vista Ultimate 64Bit.
Be nice Patio... But he is right. It is worth the effort.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5QC
    Memory
    2x2GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9500GT 1Gb
    Sound Card
    Mobo
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 206bw
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SP2514N ATA 250Gb 7200RPM
    Samsung [Model] 1Tb 7200RPM SATA2
    PSU
    Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W
    Keyboard
    Razer Tarantula
    Mouse
    Razer Lachesis
    Internet Speed
    not fast enough
Re: Hard drive problems... (Corrupt/RAW?)

philiplg said:
Well i got a new Sony VAIO laptop last thursday i think,...
Click to expand...

Maybe i'm different, but if I bought new laptop AND it still had a warrenty, then I would take it back and let them deal with it; especially if it has a bad HD.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel D975XBX2
    Memory
    Corsair TWIN2X4096-PC8500 (2x2GHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4890 (1GHz)
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium - Fatality Pro Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    hp w2207h (22" widescreen)
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    One 750GB, 2x500GB Western Digital Caviar Black Hard Drives (32meg)
    PSU
    Antec Neo HE 550
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9500 AT
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Revolution
    Internet Speed
    "High" Speed DSL? Is that like low speed FIOS?
    Other Info
    Q6600 B3 Revision OC to 3.0GHz
patio said:
patio said:
You may want to find out what HDD is in that machine...
Then travel to the manuf. site and DLoad their FREE diagnostics on it.
The DLoad is used to create a bootable CD so it can run even if Windows is not running.
If it is a flaky drive you want it replaced as soon as possible under warranty.
Good Luck.
Click to expand...
Did you skip this ? ?

I don't type this stuff out for nothing...
Click to expand...

No i did not, I was running restore tools when that was posted, and after them, it started working fine.
But then i started making these i guess 'Clunk' noises every 2 seconds, and then turned off, and once again i had to start all over.
I phoned the distributer awhile ago, turned out the shipping company around my area are closed for christmas :rolleyes: So at 29th december I've arranged for it to get sent back :), thanks for your help guys. i guess it's solved.
 

My Computer

System One

FWIW - all users reading this thread:

If you have purchased a *brand new machine* from anyone, and it starts to act up within a week of purchase, don't fart around - take it back to the manufacturer / retailer and have it checked out at the very least. Why spend time fixing something that may become a perennial issue? It is a new machine - expect it to run like *new* and stand up for your rights when it does not.

Wasting time trying to figure out what is wrong is pretty pointless on a brand new machine - even if you have had one before, chances are that it is still not configured identically as yours and you'll spend precious time trying to figure out what is what and how to fix it.

In fact, the same holds true for any machine bought from a retailer of builder - check if the warranty is still in effect or not.

At school I I have had to replace hardware in more drives than I can count - half of the time I verify warranty, call the manufacturer / OEM, and order a replacement. It is a lot easier than trying to figure out if the drive really is bad or not - by the time the drive arrives I am golden. And, if the warranty period is not up, why should I settle for my used drive / other hardware when I can have new, replacement hardware that will work?
 

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    Windows 10 Pro X64 Insider Preview (Skip Ahead) latest build
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    Motherboard
    eVGA X58 Classified 3 (141-GT-E770-A1)
    Memory
    3 * Mushkin 998981 Redline Enhanced triple channel DDR3 4 GB CL7 DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800)
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    Realtek HD Audio (onboard)
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    2 * Lenovo LT2323pwA Widescreeen
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    SanDisk Ultra SDSSDHII-960G-G25 960 GB SATA III SSD (System)
    Crucial MX100 CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SATA III SSD (User Tree)
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    Conextant 20671 SmartAudio HD
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    Lenovo 15" Matte
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    INTEL Cherryvill 520 Series SSDSC2CW180A 180 GB SSD
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    Logitech MX Master (shared) | Synaptics TouchPad
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    Lenovo
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    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex
sygnus21 said:
philiplg said:
Well i got a new Sony VAIO laptop last thursday i think,...
Click to expand...

Maybe i'm different, but if I bought new laptop AND it still had a warrenty, then I would take it back and let them deal with it; especially if it has a bad HD.
Click to expand...

johngalt said:
FWIW - all users reading this thread:

If you have purchased a *brand new machine* from anyone, and it starts to act up within a week of purchase, don't fart around - take it back to the manufacturer / retailer and have it checked out at the very least. Why spend time fixing something that may become a perennial issue? It is a new machine - expect it to run like *new* and stand up for your rights when it does not.

Wasting time trying to figure out what is wrong is pretty pointless on a brand new machine - even if you have had one before, chances are that it is still not configured identically as yours and you'll spend precious time trying to figure out what is what and how to fix it.

In fact, the same holds true for any machine bought from a retailer of builder - check if the warranty is still in effect or not.

At school I I have had to replace hardware in more drives than I can count - half of the time I verify warranty, call the manufacturer / OEM, and order a replacement. It is a lot easier than trying to figure out if the drive really is bad or not - by the time the drive arrives I am golden. And, if the warranty period is not up, why should I settle for my used drive / other hardware when I can have new, replacement hardware that will work?
Click to expand...

Ditto
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel D975XBX2
    Memory
    Corsair TWIN2X4096-PC8500 (2x2GHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4890 (1GHz)
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium - Fatality Pro Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    hp w2207h (22" widescreen)
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    One 750GB, 2x500GB Western Digital Caviar Black Hard Drives (32meg)
    PSU
    Antec Neo HE 550
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9500 AT
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Revolution
    Internet Speed
    "High" Speed DSL? Is that like low speed FIOS?
    Other Info
    Q6600 B3 Revision OC to 3.0GHz
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