"Bad" sectors repaired by writing zeroes

[Raptor]

I assume the surface scan is what you are speaking of. This has rarely taken over 5 hours to complete.

What exactly is this test that takes 'days'?

[2k dummy]

Set the number of passes to a high number and see what happens. Can be set 1-65,535. On a large disk you will get tired before scandisk does.

[Raptor]

I will look into that, thank you.

How do you prefer to test Hard Disk Drives?

[merlin_2]

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/chkdsk.mspx

[2k dummy]

Depending on the size of the drive and how much trouble it has previously encountered, 5-10 passes.

[Raptor]

Depending on the size of the drive and how much trouble it has previously encountered, 5-10 passes.

And you only use Scandisk to verify the integrity of a HDD?

[Michael]

If you do not care for the data that is stored, you can try doing as I suggested.

Of course I would like to keep my files stored on it if possible, although I'll have to rename all of them one by one again. I'm hoping for the HDD to "magically" work again...less hope though... Btw, is there any chance to copy the files into a good HDD?

The only way to 'activate' these spare sectors is by writing zeroes to the Hard Disk Drive and then rerunning diagnostic software. Or so it seems.

When you say writing zeroes to the HDD, does it means we fill all the sectors with zeroes and then storing our datas into the good sectors? What diagnostic software you may suggest?  

[Raptor]

Btw, is there any chance to copy the files into a good HDD?

Mount it as a slave in a computer with a working HDD. Just be certain that it is not a virus causing the problems.

When you say writing zeroes to the HDD, does it means we fill all the sectors with zeroes and then storing our datas into the good sectors? What diagnostic software you may suggest?

Writing zeroes to the HDD destroys all data on every sector.

[Michael]

Then how do I verify whether it is caused by a virus? The Windows is unable to detect the drive...and my Norton Antivirus' virus definition is always up to date.

[2k dummy]

Tip:

XP has it's own built-in HD diagnostics which can be used or seen by running (from the "RUN" line):

START (or the "Windows" key on most keyboards) > Run > compmgnt.msc (case insensitive)

Do NOT use SMART under XP. Do NOT use manufacruter diagnostic software und XP.

WD's Data Lifeguard can cause data corruption and is almost impossible to uninstall completely.

[Raptor]

Then how do I verify whether it is caused by a virus? The Windows is unable to detect the drive...and my Norton Antivirus' virus definition is always up to date.

Can the BIOS still see your Hard Disk Drive?

[Michael]

It does show the HDD as Primary Slave during the initial boot but when it boot into Windows, it is undetected.

[Raptor]

Does it also show in the BIOS?

[Michael]

Yes it does shown in the BIOS as well.
Btw, I just discovered this last night - I have another XP installed on another partition as a back-up, and when I switched to the other XP, the "missing" drive is there and accessible! Which mean the drive is working normal in an OS and undetected in another OS. Is it a virus fault?

[Raptor]

Rather difficult to tell, perhaps you simply need to repair your installation of Windows XP.


Installing and Using Recovery Console

Perform a Repair Installation

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP