Reliable Free Ghosting Software?

My suspicions have been proven true - S.M.A.R.T. Status Bad

Hard drive has been running as if read/writing often, and CPU has been running hot for little reason. Ran check disk, AV software, defrag, checking task manager often.

So I install Songbird because WMP12 has been acting like crap and viola come back a few hours later with a smart status bad, backup/replace.

I wish I could single out the problem - been looking for some smart diagnostics that are reliable and up to date. But am sure I'll have to replace my HD - F*CK!

It's only 1 1/2 years old - Seagate 750 gb OEM in an Asus Essentio 5570. Nice computer but this is ****ing outrageous - Shit I have a Presario from 2000 with much weaker specs (obviously) running Ubuntu like a champ.

Thought ASUS would be decent but now know better. Next computer was going to be a home-build anyways, might as well start now.

Now - Will my Geek Squad purchase prove it's worth?

I will see and I will make sure they provide the service I expect - but I should probably just get the HD and do it myself, but want to make sure I don't lose my OEM Win7 - I deserve a "second chance"

grrrr

You can always create a hard drive "image". I use Macrium Reflect to create my HDD image.

Norton Ghost is a reliable ghosting software - personally, I do not like using Symantec products. But it's up to you.

yeah, re-doing that (image) right now.

Also checking out the Norton ghost 15.0.0.35659

thanks for the input