Hard Drive problems

[Zylstra]

Every so often, my hard drive stops working properly. When I start my computer, it begins to load windows, but it just stays at the Windows ME screen.
If I start it in safe mode, it says that it cannot read from drive C.
If I run the MS DOS version of scandisk, it says it cannot read from the last cluster on the drive.
Whenever it completely stops working, I just re-format the hard drive with the Gateway System Restore disks.

At first, I thought that it was the hard drive. I got the hard drive replaced.
After getting the new hard drive, I used the restore disk to install Windows and some other drivers and software.
After a while, the hard drive stopped working again.
This should not happen with a new hard drive. I am not sure of what to do.
The new hard drive is completely new and is not used, and should not have any problems.


I can include more information if needed. I did not install the new hard drive, a professional did.

Thanks in advanced to all who help

[racealoot]

in the past when i have used restore disks i have had trouble with them. So everytime  thres something worng with a OS i just do a clean install. Worked in the past for me might help you

[Zylstra]

The hard drive has problems, not the OS.
I have tried just re-installing the OS, but it will not because it can not read the hard drive.

[GX1_Man]

I did not install the new hard drive, a professional did.

Take it back and have them make it right. Hard drives have 1, 3 or 5 year warranties as well.  

[Zylstra]

Thats what I am planning on doing. I can not do that for a while, so I decided to find out if there are any other causes.

The only problem is that the warrenty is lost. (I know, I should have taken better care of it)

It might be a LBA problem.

[GX1_Man]

you can runn free diagnostic software from the appropriate manufacturer's site. That would help isolate the problem.

http://www.computerhope.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1122425778

[Zylstra]

Just out of curiosity, is it a health hazard to open a hard drive? (I am not going to open a working hard drive, don't worry )

I've got this old hard drive and I have always wanted to see the inside of it, just to see what it looks like.

And I do know that opening a hard drive will most likely doom it forever.
(though I have overheard others saying that they can)

[Zylstra]

And I will run the diagnostics programs and see if I can find the problem. Have a great day!

[dl65]

zylstra555....  Have a read and ckeck out the pictures it shows it all .
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/hard-disk.htm

Be sure and check all items in the table of contents ...so you won't miss anything .


dl65  

[GX1_Man]

And I do know that opening a hard drive will most likely doom it forever.
(though I have overheard others saying that they can)

It will definitely doom it forever.  

[Zylstra]

Is that because dust would get in or for some other reason?

[GX1_Man]

Is that because dust would get in or for some other reason?

Dust for sure and other reasons probably too.

[Backdated]

I suspect corrupted restore disks.
If not, then it's probably a cable or IDE controller problem.

[Zylstra]

What exactly is an IDE controller?

The restore disks have been used successfully before. So I don't think its the disks.

[Backdated]

Very basically, an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller is a set of electronics that translates between OS, motherboard and drives. Most motherboards have two IDE controllers, primary and secondary. Your hard drive should be drive0 on IDE1.