Noises followed by system freeze and auto disk check on reboot

[killercow]

:confused:
Hello again,
I recently installed the software to the JVC camcorder I purchased from overstock.com. During the installation it got to 100% and froze. So I restarted the computer and re-installed incase it hadn't finished. It worked and prompted me to restart. On the restart the computer got passed the windows boot screen but then I heard a noise between the load screen and log-on screen that sounded like a click and then something small trying to spin really fast. The sound took about a second or less and after that the screen was black and the log-on screen never showed up. So I restarted again and this time it got passed the load screen and before the log-on screen it performed a disk check of partition F: which came up with a few things and fixed them.

A few hours later (while browsing the internet), I heard the noise and a few second later the screen froze. I waited several minutes and restarted. This noise to freeze thing has happened several times. It hasn't happened while any particular program was open, so it seems random... but I'm not sure.

This could become a big problem if I was working on some digital manipulations/artwork in photoshop or terragen and it froze and I couldn't save. Does anyone know what this is/could be and how to fix it?

[ErnieK]

Need more information (system specs)

If the click 'seemed' to come form the tower/case as opposed to the desktop/speakers, I would strongly suggest that you run a check on your HDD using the makers diagnostic software, and use the drive as little as possible until you do. Also if possible back-up all important files (etc) off of your computer (onto DVD/CD). If this comes up clean and shows HDD is in good order run full AV scans.

[killercow]

Thanks, ErnieK. I did the HD scan it the second hard drive did fail:

Test Option: QUICK TEST
Model Number: WDC WD400JB-32ENA0
Serial Number: WD-WMAD1J609749
Firmware Number: 500.E350
Drive Type: IDE
Capacity: 40.02 GB
SMART Status: PASS
Test Result: FAIL
Test Error Code: 06-Quick Test on drive 2 did not complete! Status code = 07 (Failed read test element), Failure Checkpoint = 65 (Error Log Test) SMART self-test did not complete on drive 2!
Test Time: 23:35:06, July 14, 2005

I have no idea what that means or how to fix that. Is this fixable? I have a lot that I'd rather not loose on there.... but I can try to back up as much as possible.

thanks

[classicsoftware]

It's time to call WD tech suport:

WD Basic Support (800) 275-4932
Monday-Thursday 9 am - 7 pm CST*
Friday 9 am - 5 pm CST*
Saturday 8 am - 5 pm CST*

[ErnieK]

Remember do-not use the drive unless really essential until you have spoken to WD tech as suggested by Classic. If you really have to do so as little as possible. If you have another HDD that is bootable I would suggest that you try to use an imaging software (Ghost/Drive Image) if you have it to make an image of the drive to try and save your files.

[classicsoftware]

Remember do-not use the drive unless really essential until you have spoken to WD tech as suggested by Classic. If you really have to do so as little as possible. If you have another HDD that is bootable I would suggest that you try to use an imaging software (Ghost/Drive Image) if you have it to make an image of the drive to try and save your files.

Actually, DON'T make an IMAGE. Copy the files off one at a time. If you make an image and there are bad sectors, you image the bad sectors as well and you may not be able to restore...

[killercow]

Well, thanks a lot to both of you for the help! :)
I called up western digital, was on hold for about 10 minutes, gave this lady my HD serial number, gave her my info (name, address, etc), told her what was wrong, then she said "oh yes, that is definately a problem with the hard drive. We'll go ahead and replace that for you. I need a credit card # for security reasons and I need to know where you would like it shipped."

So in 3-5 business days I should have a new hard drive.

Thanks again, I almost wet myself when I thought I could possibly loose everything on those drives :p

[ErnieK]

Classic
Actually, DON'T make an IMAGE. Copy the files off one at a time. If you make an image and there are bad sectors, you image the bad sectors as well and you may not be able to restore...

As per usual you are correct and I am wrong. One of these days I might manage to get it half right. :D And this leads to that eternal question of "Which is best - To be half right or half wrong?"

[Paul Komski]

I dont really see a huge difference in making an image or in copying the files (assuming of course that they are copiable). It would however be wise to slave the drive while either is done to minimise any writes to it unless there is a quick and easy way to copy a few files without a reboot (which would be nice of course).

If there are just a couple of files it would indeed be quicker to copy them to another HDD, USB Drive, or CD. Creating a raw image using GetDataBack is however a recommended method because one can then recover from the image and forget about the drive altogether.

If there are bad sectors affecting files then they will affect the files on the HDD or the image - so I dont see that as a logical reason for one or the other method. There are advantages/disadvantages to using either method.

[killercow]

I just copied most of the important stuff to a nearly-empty partition on the other drive and other stuff to about 5 or 6 CD's.
I don't think there's enough room to make an image on to any of the other partitions because they are all smaller than the F: drive.

thanks again:)