Is my Hardrive dead??

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

mudbunny

Oct 31, 2008 14:32:18		When I start up my computer, the BIOS loads, and windows will start loading
(or at least the Windows Loading screen shows up) and then I hear a loud
grinding noise. I get a very rapid BSOD, and then it shuts down and starts
up again in the DOS "Your computer did not shut down
properly...bhlahblahblah".

I have two harddrives on the computer, with windows on one, and my data on
another harddrive. Will it be as simple as buying a new hardrive,
installing windows and then I am good to go? (followed by updating all of
my drivers)
#2

calronmoonflower

Nov 01, 2008 1:53:03 		I no computer expert, but the noise could be what is called the "whir of doom" indicating a hard drive failure.

It's not a good idea to start up your computer when it's acting funny. If you try to have it fixed right away it might stop data loss that can come with a catastrophic problem.
#3

farmer42_dup

Nov 01, 2008 6:03:59 		Yep, you have a bad HDD, most likely the one with your boot sector, based on the symptom. We get this at my store every once in a while and it is almost always a bad HDD (I'm a computer tech at a major retailer. There's a show where the main character works for an almost homage to us. Three guesses, no prize.) The other problem it might be is a busted fan, but that shouldn't cause the BSOD on boot, simply because there isn't enough heat to dissipate. I'll edit this post in a bit with some bad HDD audio samples.

EDIT #1: List to CMF, and don't try booting the machine. A data recovery right now isn't out of the question at an affordable rate, but further damage could take it up significantly higher. I know we are one of the cheaper data recovery suppliers, but it's still several hundred dollars for a maybe recovery.

Edit #2: Also, yes, you should be just fine to pick up a new HDD and loading your OS onto it, but I would recommend disconnecting the data one while you do the install, just to make sure you don't accidentally wipe your data. You can connect it afterwards, since there will only be one boot registry.