Hard Disk
Hard disk failures are the most common computer hardware problems.
And laptop hard disks fail more often than desktop HDs. If you knock hard or
drop your laptop even a few inches while it’s working, you may damage the HD.
Symptoms:
· The laptop starts as usual but when
Windows starts to load it goes to blue screen with either
“UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME”, “hal.dll is missing or corrupt” or
“WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM” (or similar) is missing or corrupt. All these
error messages indicate a filesystem problem. Sometimes it can be fixed by just
scanning the HD for errors. However in over 50% of the cases these errors
indicate that the HD is starting to go bad and is probably developing bad
sectors.
· The laptop starts as usual but Windows
freezes on the initial “Windows XP” screen, although the blue bar continues to
move, and you can hear feint but continuous clicking. Hard disk have to be
replaced.
· As
soon as the laptop is started there are loud clicks or grinding sounds and
Windows doesn’t load. Hard disk have to be replaced.
· Shortly after starting the laptop a
message appears (usually on a black screen) “SMART test failed. Backup your
data immediately and replace the hard disk” or similar. Well, that says it all.
S.M.A.R.T. is a self-test that is build into the hard disk.
In almost all cases the laptop can be started from a “live”
bootable CD and everything works normal. In rare cases the HDs PCB (printed
circuit board) may short or even burn. Then the laptop wouldn’t start unless
the HD is removed.
Troubleshooting:
The first case from above (corrupted filesystem) is by far the
most common. There are several ways of diagnosing and fixing the
corrupted/missing files. If this was just a software problem, the hard disk
will continue to work properly. However keep in mind that this may also be a
signs of deterioration and backup daily!
Also the hard disk will need some preventive maintenance. Check it
for errors every few days or at least every week. To do that you must be logged
in an admin account, then right-click the “C” drive in “My Computer”, select
“Properties”, then “Tools”, then click on the “Check Now” button. Select both
boxes and click on “Start”. Windows will tell you that the hard disk cannot be
checked now but you can schedule a check for the next restart. Click “OK” and
restart the laptop. The check will take from about 30-40 min. to over 2 hours,
so do it when you’re not planning to use the laptop for some time.
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