Hi..I have a suspected hard disk failure..I cannot write to the disk ..I cannot scandisk or defrag completely ..the disk makes grinding/oinking sounds with ticking and will not ( when this happens) detect on POST process..It occasionally boots into Safe Mode ( Windows ME) and then there is a blue screen message :
Error :i/o subsystem driver failed to load. Either a file in the \iosubsys subdirectory is corrupt or the system is low in memory.
The system very occasionally boots correctly however crashes when trying to execute a program eg. Internet Explorer..then I get a ( blue screen) error message :
"Exception 0D at 0028:c007A9F8 in VxD VDD (01) + 00000CE0 . This was called from 0028:C0049580 in VxD VFAT (01) + 0000AFCC..

The HDD is a Quantum Fireball CX (12Gig) ..

The problem is exacerbating..this is a secondary removable HDD on my system..
I have been able to retrieve / backup the critical data on the disk..but would like to know ( from the available information above) if the disk is "recoverable" from what appears to be a physical problem.

Thanks for your help,

Geejazzer

Your best bet would be to go to Quantum's website and download a hard drive diagnostic tool for that particular drive series. If it fails the tests, you can save the results to the floppy, print them out, and ship the HD back with the result log. They should send you a fresh drive, no questions asked.

Also, one of the best troubleshooting tools for hard drives is SpinRite at http://grc.com/spinrite.htm. I added the utility to a Windows 98 startup disk and certified numerous hard drives.


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TJW

Sounds like the drive is on its way to the land of no hassles. Grinding/clicking noises are never a good thing...

spinrite is very good, I have an early version (2) and like it well, can't wait till I can afford to get the new version. Quantum's site should have Disk Go, which is basically Ontrack's Disk Manager with a different name, and it does a fairly good job too, I've used it extensively.

The io subsystem message could be due to a corrupt or missing file, which could be in turn related to the hard drive problems. The drive making noises usually means the head is traveling further than it should, it's banging against the hub, and the head is very likely to be damaged. That means even if it can find the file it can't read it.

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So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

thanks, paleo pete. I thought there was an internal safety design that would prevent the heads from hitting the spindle. The heads have probably been sharpened to knifepoints by now if that's the case.

Re: SpinRite, I bought the v. 5 1999 and I was impressed with its features. I like Steve Gibson's website; he has some cool stuff on it.

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TJW

Hi..Thanks to you both ( TJW and Paleo Pete) for your advice..I have visited the Maxtor (who now handle Quantum drive support)..downloaded their recommended diagnostic tool (Quantum Data Protection System)which showed conclusively that the drive was well on the way out..could not find Disk Go..so went with the maufacturers suggestion..
I have managed to boot up enough tonight ( Australia) and retrieve a few more bits and pieces but now all is irretrievable..
The drive was purchased in Oct 99..I will be attempting to contact the local distributors with log file results to see if they will replace as you (TJW) suggest..
I also checked Steve Gibsons site..Spin Rite sounds great but at $89 US with our lousy transfer rate to $AUS it was just too much at present..great to know though for future..this shows me that vigilant maintenance is a must!

Thanks again for your help(s) ..

Graeme