Disk Read error - CTL ALT DEL and other performance issues.

[sandycb01]

I had major problems with Windows VISTA and installed Windows 7 as a fix. Problems persist, in no particular order;

a) when booting, I get the dreaded Disk Read Error - CTL ALT DEL and I cannot escape it.
b) My disk drives won't read my install disk, even if I alter the boot sequence in BIOS, so I can't boot from disk and reinstall
c) Restore points are always being wiped after I do eventually manage to get it going
d) Sometimes when I reboot it takes me to a screen offering a variety of boot methods, but I can't start in safe mode
e) pressing f8 to boot in safe mode never works
e) I have checked my hard drive with the WD checking download...it seems fine
f) I have run C CLeaner...no problems.
g) sometimes the only solution is to leave it turned off overnight
h) I am frightened to shut it down because it will probably not reboot!

Any ideas, anyone. The problems tend to manifest themselves in different ways, and there is no consistency in how and when the problems start. The hard drive seems ok. When the PC works (as it does right now) it is great, so the OS seems fine too.

Any help gratefully received

 

[richc46]

Welcome
Sorry, but the best that I can do is give my honest opinion, even if it is not what you want to hear.
Same problem after reinstall=hardware
Your symptoms=hard drive
I would back up everything on an external hard drive now. And then think in terms of a new hard drive.
You can test by downloading crystal disc.

Even though you said that you tested the HD already, I tend not to agree with the results.

 

[sandycb01]

Thanks Rich,

I have had this at the back of my mind for a while now...thing is, this is quite a new Hard Drive. It was installed because the old one was also playing up. If it is the hard drive, is it possible for it to work fine (as it is now) and then fall over from time to time (and then start working fine again)? Not an expert on these matters....

Alternatively should I consider opening it up and jiggling all the cables to ensure they are properly seated (that's a technical expression by the way..)

 

[richc46]

My HD is about 6 years old and I am beginning to have problems. Just read stats that by 6 years over 50% of the hard drives are history. In the first few months about 5% have problems, so age is not really a criteria. Of course it could be the need of jiggling
My hard drive began giving me problems about a year ago. I even bought a new hard drive. I still did not install it because for the next 6 months it worked fine, but now its acting up again.
The most important thing is back up. You can back up your entire hard drive with the free Macrium Reflect. I saved me twice because of virus that I could not boot.
I use and really appreciate Crystal Disc as explained in my earlier post.