Stuck at "checking file system on C:"

My Dell started doing the same thing 1 week ago. I would get the 'check screen' that was mentioned by the original poster but I would let it 'check' and then it would proceed to boot. Today, NADA, just stuck. So now I'm in Bios running the diagnostics. I cannot believe that my new computer- purchased Fed '10 - now had a failed HDD. This is a Windows 7 issue - it's too easy to find too many others with the same issue for them all the failing HDD's on Win 7.

We should be asking why and how is Win 7 killing HDD's? If in fact it is.

I could still use a little more help putting my laptop back in order -

My dell just started doing this same issue tonight. Any ideas on what I can do to fix it? I'm running a completet system assesment right now.

Qdos said:

dwin said:

Do you have any suggestions for testing the hard drive to verify that it is failing? It is backed up every night.

Yes. Run Spinrite on the drive :)

Also, as above, turn on SMART disk monitoring in the BIOS...

Hey everyone, just found this forum for the first time after having this problem this morning. Luckily looking here I was able to fix it by going through the Windows Repair. Though still a little worried if it will happen the next time I turn the computer on. Is there a free version or something similar to spinrite I could use? I really dont have the money to buy it but would be interested in some sort of program.