Bad Sectors

[lahratla]

I am having a Windows XP SP3 loaded laptop that has a Hitachi 80 GB SATA HDD formatted with NTFS. One of the partition of 25GB in size has some bad sectors. When I try to fix the error, I hear rattling sound and the system hangs. This problem also happens occasionally when I try to copy or move some files, especially large ones, to the partition. How do identify/locate the bad sectors? Is it possible to lock/delete the bad sectors so that they are inaccessible to windows. Any solutions to the problem? Please do not suggest buying a new hard disk.

[patio]

Why should we not suggest a new drive ? ?
If it's failing...it's failing.
There are very few repairs that can be done...especially if it's making audible noises.
Backup your data and do what we're not allowed to suggest...

[Aegis]

You miight be able to find utilities on the Internet which will allow you to lock out those bad sectors.  That's as far as I will go with that.

That disk is on borrowed time.  It might last a day, a week, or a year.  While the same may be stated for any drive, the chances are against you if it's giving you problems.

I once had a 2GB drive that crashed.  It started back up, and reported to BIOS and Windows that it was a 1GB drive.  It lasted for another year, but I only kept games and things which I could afford to lose at any moment on the drive.  When it finally quit for good, there was no warning.

Make sure you have important information backed up.

[Broni]

which will allow you to lock out those bad sectors

Unfortunately, from my experience, bad sectors are little bit like a disease....they have a tendency of spreading around.

[FlashDriveDT]

Yep, I had a HD with bad sectors once too. It kept crawling on for about a year but it decreased its ability to properly store data more and more. If you use Partition Magic you may be able to stabilize part of your HD. Good luck!