Possible imminent drive failure

[nala]

My Pc has two internal hard-drives with Win 7 Home Premium and all my programmes on a 120GB SSD (C and all my data on a 320GB HDD (D. I have images of C: on an external HDD and all data on D: regularly backed up, using SyncToy, to a second external HDD.
Having gained most of my knowledge of computing (relatively meagre) during Win XP days, I never took to the introduction of Libraries when I transferred to Win 7 and was pleased to find a programme which disabled them. I set up my own folder and file system on D: and have, for the past few years, found it much more to my liking.
Recently, especially when I open Windows Explorer, there is a one second or so buzz/rattle apparently from the HDD and advice I have received suggests the likelihood of drive failure. In any case, I really need to increase storage capacity so replacement is on the cards. My problem is that I do not know whether the disabling of Libraries would interfere with this process or can I simply swap out the D: drive and copy back the data from my external source. Can anyone advise please?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You've got a similar setup to me.

I don't use libraries either, but I did NOT use a program to disable them. What program did you use?

I have no idea if your drive is actually failing, but I'd run the drive manufacturer's test tool. But even if it passes, drives can go bad with no warning at all. I had that happen 2 weeks ago--the drive simply decided not to spin after having performed perfectly for years.

You describe a "buzz/rattle", which could be anything, even a drive vibrating a bit as it spins in a loosened mount.

I'd be quite surprised if your disabling libraries would have any effect on your plan to copy back data from an external to a new replacement drive. A simply swap should work fine.

 

[nala]

Hi Ignatzatsonic
Thanks for the reply. The noise I described sounds rather like I imagine the "seek arm" of the drive buzzing quickly back and forth across its arc. It's not a "loose fitting" type rattle. I had already run the test programme - the drive is Seagate Barracuda 7200 320GB - and it passed fine.
The disabling programme is called Disable Libraries in Windows 7.reg and I found it at AskVG.com which also provides a restore facility. I have to say that I was a bit iffy about using something from a somewhat obscure site but I was keen to lose the Libraries and had (have!) no idea how to do so otherwise.
WD 1TB Black replacement now on order - as I said, I'm shortly going to need rather more space.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

OK; that's a registry script you used. I think I used a registry script found here on Windows Seven forums, but I don't know if it's still available.

Sounds like you are on the right track. I guess WD drives have a little better reputation now than Seagates.

Drive shopping is a pain as there are horror stories about all brands and models. I'm just trying to decide if I want to take the plunge and start buying 1 TB SSDs instead of spinning drives. They are still in the $350 to $400 range, but I'm hoping they may be under $300 by the time I have to decide.

 

[nala]

SSDs are certainly the way to go but my wallet won't let me yet. I'll stick to the spinner and post back after I install it.
Thanks again.

 

[nala]

Finished up buying a WD Caviar Green 1TB. installed it in the PC, formatted and moved drive letter to new drive and all works fine. Only snag so far is that, since I have an external USB WD Mybook back up drive also, this has become somewhat confused and I shall have to sort that out tomorrow, otherwise all now fine and thanks once again.