Solved Recover/repair bad sectors H/D

[CLAIRE39]

I have run disk check and it unfortunately says that it cannot read any first stage sectors.
When windows starts it responds very slow but it gets there.
But if I put a new USB stick in to transfer my photos it don't recognize it so I cannot transfer my photos.
I also have noticed in the hidden icons that the Intel RST not running ?? don't now what that is.
Can any one recommend a way to repair the bad sections, and copy my photos.
Hope someone can help.
Look forward to any reply's.

 

[GokAy]

You can't repair bad sectors. What happens is when a bad sector is found, it is reallocated to a dedicated section of harddisk that is not normally used. And when they are all used, there is nothing to reallocate to.

Is it the USB that is not being recognized? Can you see your photos from the harddisk?
(Intel RST is not necessary to function.)

Check Device Manager when you insert the USB, is it recognized there? Then open Disk Management and see if it is listed and has a drive letter assigned. Post a screenshot if you have to - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

 

[CLAIRE39]

Thank you for your reply.
Is there any way to save the computer as it is not very old.
Checked disk manager, No drive letter shows, and no sign of being recognized anywhere.
Not even when trying to remove safely.
It has no data on it as it is a brand new dan elec 4gb. but I would like to get my photos of this computer H/D
Look forward to any replys.

 

[Mellon Head]

You can almost definitely save the computer, but it sounds like you need a new hard drive. I would recommend that you either purchase or borrow and external hard disk and copy all of your photos and other important files to it before your hard drive fails. (I keep my photos backed up on DVDs and CD-ROMs) That is another option.

I don't know what is causing the USB stick issue. Maybe you have a faulty USB drive? But it's imperative that you back up those files. If possible, create a system image of your Windows installation on a DVD (if your laptop has a DVD drive) for reinstall purposes, then buy and install a new hard drive. It's not hard to change out a hard drive on a laptop. With our help, it will be a snap to do.

 

[Arc]

What is the brand of the HDD?

If it is a Seagate or a Maxtor one, Seatools for DOS can attempt a repair to the bad sectors. It may end with a success or a failure, depending the level of the corruption.

Check the Option Two, Part IV, Point 2 of http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/313457-seatools-dos-windows-how-use.html#Part2

For any other brand of HDD, apparently there is no way to recover a bad sector.

 

[GokAy]

You didn't answer this question.

Can you see your photos from the harddisk?

If you can see them, then big chance you can save them. Do you have a DVD-writer on your laptop? If not, you can still transfer them to another computer with the network.

We could try to get the USB working, but as your harddisk seem to be dying, no need to agitate it any further. Try writing to a DVD (if you have a writer) or use network sharing.

 

[GokAy]

Arc, does that tool really recover the actual bad sector or reallocate it? Will try to remember this next time, so thanks for sharing

 

[Arc]

It attempts to recover the bad sectors, and the attempt may end with either of the two possibility ... success or failure.

 

[CLAIRE39]

Hi GokAy
I can see my pictures so I will try to burn them to a dvd
Let you now what happens.
Thank you.


Hi to melon head
If I get a external hard drive would I be able to transfer the hole contents of my hard drive to it , so it can be relaced on a new hard drive.
Thank you.

Hi Ark
Thank you for your help, it has been very useful, I am very grateful.
Thank you.

 

[GokAy]

Normally, yes you can transfer to external. But since your USB doesn't work at the moment maybe the external will not work either.

We do have methods to make that USB work, but not sure if it is a good idea with a possibly failing disk.

 

[gregrocker]

Even if the drive will repair, I would still replace it. But I'd rescue my files first.

The best upgrade you can get is an SSD, lightning fast, faster than a new high-end PC without one.

Then do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7.

Be sure to read the back-up section of tutorial asap so you don't forget to back up anything needed before the drive fails.

 

[CLAIRE39]

Hi
Very sorry for the delay in replying.
I have had some progress, I tried a new usb stick and I managed to get all my photos of and safe.
Thank you all for all your help,
I would like to keep this thread open at the moment, because, I would like to come back to it at a later date, (when I have the new hard drive ready to install. But money is a little tight at the moment, Hope this is OK.

 

[gregrocker]

We're always here.

Be sure to read over to prepare for Clean Reinstall Windows 7
to make sure you have everything off the old drive before it fails.