Bad sector in the hard disk

neouser said:

Hi Saurabh,

Yesterday when I ran the PSA, I didn't find the option to run "32 bit Dell Diagnostic" tool. Right now I was searching on the internet "how to run 32bit dell diagnostic" tool, I found out that to run this diagnostic test it needs utility partition on my hard drive created by dell when I purchased my computer.

Could you please confirm whether this is correct? Because I don't have that utility partition on my hard drive and in that case how would I run the diagnostic?

Thanks

Hi neouser,

Thank you for the response.

It appears that the 'Utility Partition' has been washed out during the 'Windows re-install'.
You may use the 'Resource CD' (Drivers & Utilities Media) to load the 32 bit diagnostics if the 'utility partition' is not present. If you do not have this CD either, you may download the 'Utility' from 'Drivers & Downloads' section for your computer from 'Dell Support Website. Once downloaded, the contents can be written on an external media (CD/USB flash drive), which can be used later.

If required, use the Resource CD / created media and follow the steps given below:
- Insert Recovery CD / USB Flash Drive > Restart the desktop > At Dell logo, immediately tap <F12> repeatedly
Note: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop; then shut down your computer and try again.

When the boot device list appears, highlight the option CD/DVD/CD-RW and press <Enter>
Boot from CD-ROM from the menu that appears and press <Enter>
This message appears ‘Press any key to boot from the CD’
Promptly hit <Enter>
Note: If you wait too long and Dell Diagnostic screen does not appear, then, shut down your computer and repeat all steps.
(Following screen appears)



Press <Enter>
When the Dell Diagnostics main menu appears, select the test you want to run
Select Custom Test and run a test on the 'hard drive' (Refer to image below)



To access the drivers (utility partition) for your computer, click Support for Home Users | Dell US > Enter the 'Service Tag' > 'Utility Partition' is likely to be listed under 'Diagnostics' / 'Applications' category. (Note: Diagnostic Utility is available for download for only select computers)
- Download the 'executable file' and extract it (Refer to the following image)



- Follow the on-screen instructions to create the Recovery CD. If using a 'USB Flash Drive', ensure that it is more than 2 GB in size.

Hope this helps. Do reply with the findings.