first deep format ... chkdsk threw up errors for first time ... worried

catalina66

Hi

A bit concerned, as, after doing a deep format for the first time (usually do quick format and have no problems), although the overall chkdsk results are ...

Cleaning up 37 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 37 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.
Cleaning up 37 unused security descriptors.
Correcting errors in the master file table's (MFT) BITMAP attribute.
Correcting errors in the Volume Bitmap.
Windows has made corrections to the file system.

74919127 KB total disk space.
9395336 KB in 16645 files.
5892 KB in 1141 indexes.
0 KB in bad sectors.
86503 KB in use by the system.
65536 KB occupied by the log file.
65431396 KB available on disk.

4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
18729781 total allocation units on disk.
16357849 allocation units available on disk ...

I don't know what has caused the problem, unless the drive is beginning to wear out. Had it since Feb 2006, Dell Dimension 1100 desktop. Last week had BSOD's twice ... IRQL_NOT_LESS_ OR_EQUAL. I'd thought it may be that Kontiki briefly being on the pc may have caused problems, as have noted that others often find the removal of it isn't clean, but only once have I read someone saying they felt it damaged their drive. My last pc lasted 4 years. Bit worried, as money is really tight ... Littlewoods would have to come to the rescue, but that would be a big commitment for a long time.

Would really welcome advice, especially about what could be causing this, and if there is any software that is really great at sussing out the core problem with a drive.

Many thanks, Cat

aliEnRIK

Id give it another deep format if I were you. WHY are you formatting so much??

catalina66

aliEnRIK wrote: »

Id give it another deep format if I were you. WHY are you formatting so much??

Hi aliEnRIk, you must be bionic, as I'd only just posted! I do a format every 4-6 weeks after backing up stuff, just to keep the machine running cleanly. So it's best to actually just do the deep format straight away? ... because the some operating system files are damaged, or will reformatting show if there are any more problems? Can definitely see it would be daft to keep reinstalling stuff back on if underneath there are problems!

Thanks, Cat

aliEnRIK

You should only need to FORMAT the once, unless your reinstalling an operating system (And it should be a DEEP/FULL format)
I would recommend another full format and see what happens then. Its quite possible your drive is on its way out (And formatting so regular is probably the cause!)

catalina66

aliEnRIK wrote: »

You should only need to FORMAT the once, unless your reinstalling an operating system (And it should be a DEEP/FULL format)
I would recommend another full format and see what happens then. Its quite possible your drive is on its way out (And formatting so regular is probably the cause!)

Hi aliEnRIk, thanks. I was a bit stunned there, and had a look around, and am reading all kinds of things everywhere, a lot of conflicting info, some saying deep formatting can reduce the life of the pc, others saying other stuff! I have registered that it's better to defrag and do better mainenance rather than just 'wipe' everything, unless really necessary, but then other info is saying quick formatting is no different to reading and writing to the drive generally.

Needing to question a bit; not looking to cause any hassle, as I appreciate you taking the time to reply ... all the info is so conflicting. First time I've ever done a deep format on this pc, in 3 years and 4 months ... and had no problems with it before doing this!

Cheers, Cat

isofa

catalina66 wrote: »

Hi aliEnRIk, you must be bionic, as I'd only just posted! I do a format every 4-6 weeks after backing up stuff, just to keep the machine running cleanly. So it's best to actually just do the deep format straight away? ... because the some operating system files are damaged, or will reformatting show if there are any more problems? Can definitely see it would be daft to keep reinstalling stuff back on if underneath there are problems!

Thanks, Cat

You reformat every 4-6 weeks? That's crazy and a total waste of time, it'll also mean that unless you are slipstreaming every update from MS released, you are then redownloading tons of patches/security updates, so it's a waste of your internet connection too, especially if you have a limited amount of downloads per month. If a machine is running sluggish, often it's good to reformat and start from scratch, but maybe every 2 to 3 years. Not every few weeks.

Why are you experiencing such constant problems with the OS? I've systems running XP, OS X and Vista which have been running for years. If you are getting problems constantly, then it may be a hardware fault, possibly RAM, or more likely from your original post, the HD creating errors.

catalina66

Hi again

DL'd Hard Drive Inspector, and it's reporting all 3 results at 76%, no death time defined, no action needed to prevent data loss, and is in good health.

Hopefully formatting the machine has removed whatever caused the IRQL_NOT_LESS_ OR_EQUAL 2 BSOD's, and if the first deep format has kicked up a few bits that hadn't been noticed at all before, and chkdsk has fixed them, do things look okay now?

Do I need to repair XP Pro, or just do a quick format/clean install, to sort out the 37 orphaned files?

Thanks, Cat

catalina66

isofa wrote: »

You reformat every 4-6 weeks? That's crazy and a total waste of time, it'll also mean that unless you are slipstreaming every update from MS released, you are then redownloading tons of patches/security updates, so it's a waste of your internet connection too, especially if you have a limited amount of downloads per month. If a machine is running sluggish, often it's good to reformat and start from scratch, but maybe every 2 to 3 years. Not every few weeks.

Why are you experiencing such constant problems with the OS? I've systems running XP, OS X and Vista which have been running for years. If you are getting problems constantly, then it may be a hardware fault, possibly RAM, or more likely from your original post, the HD creating errors.

Hi and thanks for message. Am not getting constant problems; it was just a preference for backing up and keeping the machine fast and clean each month, as I'd thought this was the right thing to do. Luckily am on cable, but have definitely realised to defrag and do more maintenance stuff rather than a full format. Only problems I've had were the couple of things I've described.

Many thanks, Cat

RobTang

Have you actually done a low-level format or just not used the quick format option ?
I didn't think the non quick format was much differnt from quick format, it just varifies the whole disc first (which is what takes ages).
I can't believe you re-install every month or so, even back in the times of windows me, doing it take often wasn't needed.


I agree with isofa that its most likley to be a hardware problem, esp memory, OR the northbridge chip / memory controller. might be worth running memtest86 a few times on every stick of ram you have (pref in a different computer)

catalina66

RobTang wrote: »

Have you actually done a low-level format or just not used the quick format option ?
I didn't think the non quick format was much differnt from quick format, it just varifies the whole disc first (which is what takes ages).
I can't believe you re-install every month or so, even back in the times of windows me, doing it take often wasn't needed.


I agree with isofa that its most likley to be a hardware problem, esp memory, OR the northbridge chip / memory controller. might be worth running memtest86 a few times on every stick of ram you have (pref in a different computer)

Thanks RobTang. I just didn't use the quick format option this time ... used the one below it. Presumed it was a deep format. Had DL'd memtest86 while posting originally, so will give it a go, although I haven't been getting constant problems at all, just the couple that I've described. I don't have another machine, but can test the RAM in this one.

Cheers, Cat :beer:

basmic

catalina66 wrote: »

74919127 KB total disk space.
9395336 KB in 16645 files.
5892 KB in 1141 indexes.
0 KB in bad sectors.
86503 KB in use by the system.
65536 KB occupied by the log file.
65431396 KB available on disk.

4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
18729781 total allocation units on disk.
16357849 allocation units available on disk

That part I've highlighted in part, is the one to watch when your drive is wearing out.

If your drive were to wear out, you'd probably find bad sectors sprouting up here and there. But you have none, so I wouldn't worry. Personally I wouldn't worry if you had a couple, just as long as it never increased all the time - ie: 3+ sectors/year.

If you want to really to test your harddrive's fitness, find out the manufacturer of the drive - ie: Western Digital, Seagate, Maxtor, Hitachi/IBM, Samsung or Fujitsu. Go to there website, in the support section you will find a diagnostic tool for the drive - run the thorough option of that.