Hard drive failure

[afcbob]

On one of my conmputer running Windows XP pro i get a error when booting up

Error:
NOTCIE The primary IDE master hard drive SELF MONITORING SYSTEM has reported that a parameter has exceeded it's normal oparting range dell recommends that you back up your data regularly.

A parameter out of range may or may out indicate a potential hard drive problem.

Stike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility

It loads up fine after pressing F1 does this mean the disk is on it's last legs.


The only thing that i did was try to format one partition on my drive it did not format it, it just hang then after had this problem have formated since but still there.

[Greg]

It could be sensing the unfinished partition as problematic. But I'd back it up before sorting it out just in case.

[afcbob]

It's ok there is nothing on it really, just started doing a MCSA/MCSE so it's the computer i use to play on.

How do i fix it.

[Greg]

I'm guessing, but is the MBR ok? Maybe do an fdisk /mbr?

[afcbob]

It's maybe something am doing wrong but i get this when i try that.


C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.SERVER.000>fdisk /mbr
'fdisk' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.SERVER.000>

Also get the same if i try it with fdisk /status

[Greg]

What OS? I don't even know what tools are available.

[afcbob]

Did say in 1st post but its windows xp pro
What do you mean by what tools are available?

[bigH2O]

Fdisk doesn't exist in XP. Its pseudo-equivalent is DiscPart, but is only available in the Recovery Console and is only good for adding or deleting partitions, not for evaluating the health of the drive. You can get all of the information that was formerly available with fdisk at the command line, including the health of your drives, through Disk Management in Administrative Tools/Computer Management

[afcbob]

All partitons are Healthy and online in the computer management screen.

So how do i fix now.

[bigH2O]

If windows is reporting the drives are healthy, but s.m.a.r.t. is reporting that operational parameters have been exceeded then the drive is most likely failing on the electronics side and not on the storage side. I would guess it's just a matter of time until it won't spin up any more. Backup the data and replace the drive.

[afcbob]

OK thats what i thought, just good that you can pick them up cheap now adays as it's just the computer i learn on.