I'm not sure if my hard drive is failing.

ZacharyR

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Jul 16, 2013
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I tried to back my data up on my secondary HDD and it just wouldn't copy over. I tried to do it many times but just ended up canceling it. After doing this, everytime I boot up I get a splash screen that says S.M.A.R.T bad disc. I don't notice a performance decrease but this happens EVERYTIME. I'm going to back my data up to an external drive to be safe. Is my drive really failing? The bad disc message didn't come up before i tried to back up my data.
 

Traildriver

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Sep 10, 2010
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You did not say what kind of drive or how old. But...

Download diagnostic software from the drive manufacturer's website and run it. But generally, if you are getting error messages, the drive is on the way out. At the very least back up your data, then start trying to salvage the drive. But for peace of mind I would consider the drive as one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.
 

Traildriver

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Sep 10, 2010
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Run your diagnostic software from the drive manufacturer. If it is just a matter of bad sectors then they can be quarantined so you can continue to use the drive. But if the bad sector count is increasing with each use it's only good as a paperweight. Personally I would get the data off and retire the drive.