Windows 7: Windows has detected a hard disk problem. Hard drive failing?

Hey there guys, about six months ago I started receiving an error every few days on my computer on boot, and it was something along the lines of: 'pxe-rom: Check cable connection!'. To fix it I just used my Windows 7 install CD and it was fine, until whenever it'd happen again. Now, just about three days ago an error popped up that said 'Windows has detected a hard disk problem'. The hard drive is a 640 GB Toshiba MK6465GSXN. Anyway, after getting that message I quickly backed up all of my important documents and stuff onto an external HDD. It was also very slow, slower than my computer had ever been. So, I decided to do a clean install since scans with Malwarebytes and AVG detected nothing. And then, once it finished, it popped up the error message again?! I have noticed that the slowness has gone, but I'm not installing any programs in case it does fail. I am wondering that maybe the 'check cable connection' error was telling me something, but I didn't think anything of it. So, does it sound like I need to get a new hard drive?


EDIT: I bought a new hard drive, fixed!

In many cases, that is Windows way of saying your hard drive is in imminent danger of failing. Of course there could be other problems, but windows will usually detect it first. A tutorial that may help is simple to use, but may take a while. Disk Check I would also get the Manufacturer's hard drive diagnostic program to check the drive. You were wise to back up all of your personal information.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I did use check disk and it said the drive was healthy. I had both of the options ticked. But I'll try the Toshiba diagnostic thing.

Edit: That one I found doesn't support Toshiba, I read. I found another one called Disk Checkup. I'll try that.

OK I did the SMART Info thing, this is what it says:*** DiskCheckup V3.1 Build: 1005 Report ***

SysInfo DLL Version: SysInfo v1.0 Build: 1028
Time of export: 17:56:16 28-Dec-2012

Device information:
Device ID: 0
Interface: SATA
Device Capacity: 610477 MB
Serial Number: Z0N2S19HS
Model Number: TOSHIBA MK6465GSXN

SMART ATTRIBUTES:
ID Description Status Value Worst Threshold Raw Value TEC
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Raw Read Error Rate OK 100 100 50 0 N.A.
2 Throughput Performance OK 100 100 50 0 N.A.
3 Spin Up Time OK 100 100 1 2122 N.A.
4 Start/Stop Count OK 100 100 0 4014 N.A.
5 Reallocated Sector Count FAIL 8 8 50 2031 N.A.
7 Seek Error Rate OK 100 100 50 0 N.A.
8 Seek Time Performance OK 100 100 50 0 N.A.
9 Power On Time OK 89 89 0 4678 N.A.
10 Spin Retry Count OK 180 100 30 0 N.A.
12 Power Cycle Count OK 100 100 0 3998 N.A.
191 G-sense Error Rate OK 100 100 0 63 N.A.
192 Power off Retract Count OK 100 100 0 35 N.A.
193 Load Cycle Count OK 95 95 0 54450 N.A.
194 Temperature OK 100 100 0 38 C N.A.
196 Reallocation Event Count OK 100 100 0 245 N.A.
197 Current Pending Sector Count OK 100 100 0 0 N.A.
198 Uncorrectable Sector Count OK 100 100 0 0 N.A.
199 UltraDMA CRC Error Count OK 200 200 0 0 N.A.
220 Disk shift OK 100 100 0 8287 N.A.
222 Loaded hours OK 93 93 0 3039 N.A.
223 Load/Unload retry count OK 100 100 0 0 N.A.
224 Load friction OK 100 100 0 0 N.A.
226 Load-in Time OK 100 100 0 211 N.A.
240 Head flying hours OK 100 100 1 0 N.A.

It's sort of hard to see, but the Reallocated Sector Count was the only thing that failed. Hmm...

I don't think my hard drive is going to fail... It's been a week and it's still going. I also haven't received the hard drive error for about 4 days. Should I put my stuff back on now? xD

I wouldn't take any chances. I would NOT put back my personal information on the hard drive. Personally, I would install your softwares only. If the drive fails, the only thing you'll have to deal with is to buy a new hard drive, re-installing Windows and your softwares. What I mean is: keep your data safe!

Another way to check SMART is to download and install SpeedFan and go into the SMART tab and select your hard drive. It has Performance and Fitness gauges and you'll clearly see its state.

I second Lebon14, I too wouldn't trust that HDD now even with a 10-foot pole. Look to replace it at your earliest convenience, you're looking at potential data loss here.

Actually yeah, just yesterday I went out and got a Hitachi 1 TB internal drive, and so far it's great! I've also noticed it is a lot quieter too. So, I would probably consider this solved now
I have about 130 GB of Steam games, so the 1 TB is great for that. Just as well I backed them up...