Windows says I have a Hard Drive Failure

Today when I went to type a paper for school a Windows pop up said I have a Hard Drive failure and said to back up my files. I am running a back up now and I have already had my important files backed up, also Intel Rapid Storage Technology says the same thing, I have ran CHKDSK and also the HP Hard Drive test that it prompted me to do at start up and that Failed with error codes (305) and (301)

I have the option through IRST to reset to normal, so I am wondering how can I make sure that this isn't just a error but is actually the Hard Drive failing, because I can still use my laptop.

I have warranty through HP still so I can have them "fix" it but I need my computer for school so if it's a simple fix I rather take that option.

Hi
Let's see the SMART data for the drive.

First make sure that you have all your important data backed up.

Lately, I've been using HDDScan to do this in Windows
HDDScan
Run it (it may take a bit to show up once you start it so be patient)
Select the failing drive from the dropdown list (if it is there, if not let us know)
Click the SMART button and let us see the results (copy and paste, hopefully it won't be too messy :) )

Next close the attributes window and click the orb/button with the harddrive and magnifying glass on it.
Choose SMART Offline Tests
Choose Short Test
Do not run the Long Test because if there are problems, that could make the drive die faster.
When the Status says Finished in the Test Manager window double click the entry and it will tell you if it passed or not.

So, we'll need to see...

• The SMART attributes results
• Whether or not it passed the short test

I'll try to translate those results for you into how dire your situation may be.

James

Hard Drive Info:

Model: SAMSUNG HM640JJ
Firmware: 2AK10001
Serial: S2AWJDNB503825
LBA: 1250263728

001 value is 1
That is the worst it can possibly be and it starts at 200 and goes down as the drive experiences more and more read errors.

005 Raw is 0
That means that no problems have been found trying to write to the drive.

197 Raw is 0DB (which is 219 decimal) sectors that currently are having trouple being read. This number must be changing or attribute 001 would not be so bad.

This usually means a problem with the read/write heads. I often see this combination of attribute values when a drive is bumped while powered on and doing something. It does not always mean that it was bumped or dropped but that is what I usually see.

The thing is that this can happen and only cause a small unnoticable error but over time it grows and gets worse and worse. You need to replace the drive.

You should be able to get a new one for around $75.
The difficulty may be in putting the operating system on the new drive if you were not given disks with the laptop. If you need help finding out how to do that, let us know the manufacturer/model of the laptop and maybe myself or someone else here can tell you the procedure for getting the OS and drivers for it without making you pay again for something you already bought :)

Wish I had better news for you.

James

EDIT: Forgot to add that those SMART values do qualify it for replacement under warranty.

Ok, It actually has been knocked recently when on. I thought that might be the case. Aren't these suppose to have shock resists or something of that sort?

Also I do have warranty so I will get it replaced.

How soon do you think? Can I just use it till it craps out? I need it for school so I can't just send it away I need to find a replacement for that meantime.

Britton30 gave a really good answer...

Britton30 said:

Yeah, odds are against you, the HDD could last a week or die in two minutes.

I'd start the warranty process ASAP. Most companies are very quick, like less than a week from the time you call them. Don't mention bumping it because we can't be sure that caused the problem. Other things can and do cause this to happen.

When it is caused by a bump, it does not take much of a bump if it happens at just the right second that the head is moving and current is flowing and well, it's just a perfect storm of bad coincidences. They reset their alignment when they restart but if it is off by just the slightest microscopic bit and is unable to adjust for that, you get errors like you are getting.

James

So if I replace the HDD myself can I reuse this drive?

Only if you have a very expensive clean room and very expensive precision equipment.

James