Failed hard drive

Niko Raisanen · Jul 21, 2014

Hey guys, my harddrive has failed for the 2nd time in 3 months. The first time I managed to recover and continue using it by running a chkdsk. Now it is the 2nd time, I am running the disk check and hope that it works. I know that it is a hard drive issue because windows has told me so, but for some reason I can still boot windows 7 perfectly fine in normal mode (although all the programs that I launch stop responding). Because I can launch windows, would it be possible to just insert another hard drive and use that for general storage?
Any and all help regarding the regaining of functionality of my computer is appreciated!
Also, I would not mind losing all of my files as they are unimportant.
Just to clarify: The ideal answer would allow me to use my computer while the new drive is on it's way.

~Thanks in Advance

Jak Atackka · Jul 21, 2014

Stop using the drive. It's obviously failing, so the more you use it, the greater the chance it'll decide to become unreadable. Once the new hard drive arrives, do a fresh install of the operating system on the new drive and then copy any files over.

Niko Raisanen · Jul 21, 2014

Jak Atackka :

Thanks for the reply!
So is Windows 7 tied to the motherboard or the hard drive?
Unfortunately, I didn't save the code that I used to obtain my windows.
Lastly, would the addition of another hard drive work as a temporary fix until the new one arrives?
Thank you for your time

Chicano · Jul 21, 2014

Install Hard Disk Sentinel to scan for HD health and performance... It should give you an idea of the approximate remaining lifetime... I have a couple HDs that read 20 to 30% health and still run without major issues... But the higher health results you get, the better, and a chkdsk /r should do for now.
http://www.hdsentinel.com/

Niko Raisanen · Jul 21, 2014

Chicano :

Thanks for the quick response!
Once my chkdsk is done I will try out that website.
Just another question, to start my chkdsk I launched windows 7 in safe mode, and rightclicked my C: Drive and set up my chkdsk from there; is that the same as typing chkdsk /r into the cmd prompt?
Thank you very much for all the fast responses
Edit: still curious about the prospect of adding another old hard drive

Chicano · Jul 21, 2014

Yes.. it's the same as for results. It may even suggest programming itself for the next boot which is also from the CMD prompt and better.

You can scan the old hard drive to get an idea of the general condition.. if it reads a healthy percentage... say above 50%, you can use it without worries for some time to come.

Niko Raisanen · Jul 21, 2014

Chicano :

Thanks, but when I get my new Hard drive will I need to get another windows key? (I discarded the code a while ago)
Furthermore, would it be possible to put all the windows files from my failing Hard drive (I can access the files) to my temporary hard drive and then take out the failing hard drive, and insert this new HD: http://www.amazon.com/WD-Blue-Desktop-Hard-Drive/dp/B0088PUEPK/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER . After that process would I have the same working windows product?

mbarnes86 · Jul 21, 2014

Hi

Once your hard disk has bad sectors most cloning programs will fail.

Do you have original Windows DVD's or a set of Recovery disks ?
If not find out how to make a recovery disk set DVD or USB ASAP

If this is not possible then you need to find out what version of Windows you have
Microsoft System Builder, Manufacturers OEM , Retail or upgrade as the Windows key matches the type of Windows as well as Home Premium, Pro or Ultimate.

OEM versions of Win 7 are tied to the motherboard not hard drive
Windows will detect change of hard disk but will allow re activation if necessary

You probably need to know what service pack was installed when the PC supplied
eg Windows 7 no service pack key probably differs from Windows 7 with SP1 key
This is in case you need to obtain a Windows 7 DVD which matches your existing Windows version and its key
--------------------------

Your Windows & MS Office keys are stored in the registry, (encrypted)
They are usually on a label stuck on the PC's case as well

the following free programs can read the registry and give you the Windows key:-
produkey (nirsoft.net)
magical jellybean keyfinder
Belarc Advisor
......

regards
Mike Barnes

Chicano · Jul 21, 2014

There are several options to solve that situation...
1. You can recover the product key with something like Keyfinder, and use it on the new installation, as long as you use the same computer, you should activate the new installation without issues.

2. You can make an image of the OS and install it on the new hard drive... if it's from the same HD maker... you can download the imaging tool from their website, or you can use a cloning software like DriveImage XML to achieve the same results and activation may not be necessary and in case it becomes necessary, no issues should be expected.

3. As for file recovery, as long as you have access through Windows Explorer, you can recover your files though taking ownership may be necessary to fully access the Hard drive from another OS.

4. When the chkdsk finishes you should be able to boot normally an you can backup your files to another hard drive... In Windows XP the tool is available from the C drive properties / tools... In Windows 7 you can use Windows Backup to backup files or create a System image from the Control Panel / System and Security / Backup and Restore.

Chicano · Jul 21, 2014

mbarnes86 :

CHKDSK /R should repair bad HD sectors or move files to healthy sectors... once that's done, any cloning program will copy recovered files from their healthy locationn and the HD is not is such a bad condition this should fail.

Niko Raisanen · Jul 21, 2014

mbarnes86 :

Thanks for the response, bare in mind that I have little to no idea to do anything that you stated; so i will need some help.
I forgot my code for my windows version (I will check what version I have later)
Lets say that I want to make a recovery DVD. Do all of my files go into that DVD, or just the Windows Files? My hard drive has ~950 GB of data so that would be an absurd amount of DVDs.
Once I have a recovery DVD, can I take out my failing hard drive, put in a new one, insert my homemade recovery DVD and get windows to work with the new HD? [strike](without dealing with microsoft logins/codes)[/strike]
What does OEM mean, and how do i know if I have an OEM version of windows? If I do have an OEM version then will I need to re-type my windows code when changing hard drives?
Where can I obtain a windows 7 DVD? (are they free?)
Once I have a windows 7 DVD, do i just pop in the new hard drive, insert the DVD, and follow the normal windows steps from there?

Thank you very much for your time and assistance!

Niko Raisanen · Jul 21, 2014

My chkdsk has been on the line: "CHKDSK is compacting the security descriptor stream" for a good 8+ so far. Is it usual for this step to take very long, or is something preventing me from moving on?

Chicano · Jul 21, 2014

It takes a while to complete if you don't have hard drive partitions... For a 1TB hard drive, that 8+ sounds reasonable. CHCKDSK takes 5 steps to complete, so depending on the step it's on right now, and if it has frozen, you should have an idea of how it's proceeding.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/help-me-interpret-the-chkdsk-report/7651fb50-5dd1-4989-bd09-1a32d379c9f3?auth=1

Niko Raisanen · Jul 22, 2014

Update:

CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)...
446720 file SDs/SIDs processed.
CHKDSK is compacting the security descriptor stream

Been on this exact part of chkdsk for ~19 hours, what should I do?
I dont think that I can open the cmd prompt.
What would be the reprecusions of cancelling this dskchk, deleting some files and redoing it?
Btw, the HD has 950 GB/1000 GB used
Thanks for all help!

mbarnes86 · Jul 22, 2014

Hi
It is difficult to guess what the result of interrupting the chkdsk
Do not power down or reset

Despite what others have said chkdsk can hide bad sectors from windows

But most cloning programs do not look at table of bad sectors used by windows and stored in fat or NTFS equivalent

They hit a bad sector give an error and stop
Of the cheap or free cloning programs only ddrescue continues after finding bad sectors

There are a few programs which copy all files in a partition , these are not really cloning programs and slower than cloning programs

The manufacturers hard disk diagnostics can do temporary repairs to bad sectors
Provided the number of bad sectors is small, which will allow Acronis and similar duplicating /cloning programs to run to completion

Hirens rescue cd has a large collection of manufacturers hard disk diagnostics & cloning programs

Most hard drive brands (& SSD brands ) provide a cloning program often based on Acronis product

Microsoft has allowed digital river to provide some different images of Windows 7 for downloading but you must get the version matching your windows key or buy a new key

If your PC came with windows 7 pre installed it almost always has a oem windows version.
What brand of PC do you have?

Large PC builders normally provide a oem version of Windows which only works on one motherboard model specially modified for them

Eg if Dell & HP have a similar Intel manufactured motherboard the dell windows will not activate on the HP motherboard

Things were a lot easier with XP when a dell XP cd would work on most dell motherboards

Regards
Mike Barnes

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