"Something" blocks processes while writing to disk

Hello Xbluerobot, I first thought of (and was looking for) some system software failure, but I'm now working on checking the disk first (as you read above).
If it's ok, I'm going for a reinstall, so to upgrade to x64, a thing I should have done time ago.

I also found this in the logs: does anybody know what could be?

Code:

Bucket errato , tipo 0 Nome evento: WindowsWcpOtherFailure3 Risposta: Non disponibile ID CAB: 0  Firma problema: P1: 6.1.7601 P2: base\wcp\sil\merged\ntu\ntsystem.cpp P3: Windows::Rtl::SystemImplementation::DirectFileSystemProvider::SysReadFile P4: 2155 P5: c0000017 P6: 0x649e6b12 P7:  P8:  P9:  P10:   File allegati: C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log C:\Windows\servicing\Sessions\Sessions.xml C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\FilterList.log C:\Windows\Temp\WERC0E4.tmp.mdmp C:\Windows\Temp\WER65CA.tmp.WERDataCollectionFailure.txt  I file potrebbero essere disponibili qui: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportQueue\Critical_6.1.7601_3e2b7183b260f3d7db50e3139012596f1775e56d_cab_1bb366b2  Simbolo analisi:  Nuova ricerca di soluzioni: 0 ID rapporto: 29a5d966-dedb-11e2-aba1-00238be5baf5 Stato rapporto: 4

I managed to find this thread on the error:

Windows Error Report Entries - WindowsWcpOtherFailure3

WindowsWcpOtherFailure3: and the error reports it creates is - Microsoft Community

It seems from I understand, that some important files have become corrupt, a clean installation may be the best solution for this.

Yes, that's what I'm leaning toward, but I first need to check if this corruption came from hd failure.

That's a good step to take, here's a list of Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure.

I would suggest running Seagate Tools for Windows and one of your hard-drive manufacturer's tests.

My HD is from Hitachi: I downloaded their tool, but nothing shows in the list; the seagate tool list the HD, but I'm not sure what test to run.

In the meanwhile I'm testing it with HDDScan 3.3

I managed to get an OK from a chkdsk /r run from a recovery command line started from a fresh downloaded Win 7 x64 SP1 ISO just downloaded for the occasion.

My HD seems good, I have the DVD ready for reinstall and the only doubt I still have is whether format the partition or not; I would prefer to keep the data on it and install the new Windows there, then rearranging data to their correct position.
Scratching the partition would be way longer, as I have to move data back and forth my NAS through my 100Mbit switch. Since I understand leaving the partition as it is would not harm the clean install, I'll take that way.
Plus I suspect my "upgrade" Win7 license would complain if it does not find an old Win installation.

ICit2lol, I don't even need that adapter: my notebook has to hd bays, so I can simply move my current hd to the second one and put a new one in the first, maybe even a SSD!
But there are issues:

• I've been told that recent disks may not work on my controller (SATA3 disks on SATA controller)
• The original HD has a couple of special partition; apart from the recovery one (that I don't think I will ever user, as it contains the original Vista 32bit), it has a handy "media player" partition that can be booted and used to play media without starting Win7
• I'm not sure I want to spend money for this old machine: it is 4 years old now, it could be less worth than the new disk! A faster router/switch for my LAN has higher priority now! :)

Thanks a lot for your suggestions, anyway.