PC under attack?

JohnG

Hi Waddler-8,

I sent a msg to the hsgt website to ask for help/assistance and they came back within 24hrs with some info. They suggested I download a HDD Scan for Windows if I was going to keep the HDD in situ in the PC so I have done that and managed to get a report which I have copied and pasted here. I doubt it helps much but thought you might be interested? Not sure if there is anything else I can or should try to glean from the HDD Scan software?
Just noticed when previewed that the info shown below is no longer in the neat table so apologies if it's too jumbled?

Num Attribute Name Value Worst Raw(hex) Threshold [IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
001Raw Read Error Rate 1001000000000000-0000016[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
002Throughput performance 1351350000000000-0063054[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
003Spin Up Time 136136000006012C-0102024[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
004Start/Stop Count 1001000000000000-053B000[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
005Reallocation Sector Count 1001000000000000-0000005[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
007Seek Error Rate 1001000000000000-0000067[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
008Seek time Perfomance 1401400000000000-001E020[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
009Power-On Hours Count 1001000000000000-0EAA000[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
010Spin Retry Count 1001000000000000-0000060[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
012Device Power Cycle Count 1001000000000000-04EA000[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
192Emergency Retract Count 0990990000000000-053C000[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
193Load/unload Cycle Count 0990990000000000-053C000[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
194HDA Temperature 19319331 C 000[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
194HDA Temperature Maximum19319350 C000[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
194HDA Temperature Minimum19319315 C000[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
196Reallocation Event Count 1001000000000000-0000000[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Green.ico[/IMG]
197Current Pending Errors Count 1001000000000000-0000000[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Yellow.ico[/IMG]
198Uncorrectable Errors Count 1001000000000000-0025000[IMG]file:///C:/Users/John%20&%20Clare/Downloads/HDDScan-3.3/HDDScan-3.3/Yellow.ico[/IMG]
199UltraDMA CRC Errors 2002000000000002-9800000

waddler_8

Basically, the green ones are ok, yellow are warnings.

It's hard to tell from that but are you seeing yellow warnings for Uncorrectable Errors Count & UltraDMA CRC Errors?

Did you manage to backup?

JohnG

Apologies for not responding sooner Waddler-8 .

I let the PC finish the full back-up last weekend but I gather there were some files it couldnt complete, according to my wife. I havnt checked it to be honest but I'm going to back-up individual files/folders as you suggested earlier so as not to lose those - I know I need to get my finger out and my head out of the sand as it were .

The PC has been working reasonably satisfactorily this week but I can sense, particularly when clicking thru web sites and browsing stuff fairly quickly, it can start to hang and stall, so I have to sit back and wait otherwise it's likely to crash altogether. The PC also makes that uncharateristic straining noise at certain times which doesnt sound good.

It's going to be one of those bite the bullet situations - either replace the HDD or the PC itself (The HDD is presumably the cheaper option but I'm a bit daunted at the thought physically changing something like that :eek:).

Really have appreciated all your help - it's so reassuring to have expert support and guidance :T.

Keep up the great work and :beer:

waddler_8

Any increase in this value when you run HDDScan will likely mean the drive is on it's way out: Uncorrectable Errors Count

A replacement drive will set you back around £50.

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Storage/Hard+Drives/3.5+Inch+SATA+Drives/640GB+-+1TB/1TB+Hitachi+HDS721010CLA332+3.5%22+SATA+II+Hard+Drive+-+HDD+?productId=39369

What's the make/model of the PC?

JohnG wrote:

this PC isnt that old

Under warranty?

JohnG

Arbico Computer

Intel ( R ) Core ( TM ) i5-2500 CPU @ 3.30Ghz

4.00 GB Ram

64-Bit Operating System

I can't see when we actually bought it but it's probably about 2 1/2 yrs ago so I don't think a warranty will apply. Ive just sent a question off to Arbico about the PC so wait to see what they say. I thinks it's actually 2 years this month in fact.

waddler_8

There's lots of tutorial's online if you fancied a go at replacing the drive yourself - It's relatively easy. If not, it shouldn't be too expensive for a shop to do it.

poppellerant

Harddrives are very very easy to replace.

1 - Turn off PC at the wall and unplug.
2 - Remove side covers from the PC.
3 - Locate harddrive.
4 - Unplug the data cable and power cable from the harddrive. Do not pull at an angle.
5 - Remove screws holding harddrive and hold hand under harddrive in case it falls out when you undo the last screw.
6 - Put new harddrive in where the old harddrive came from and screw back in.
7 - Attach power and data cables.
8 - Replace side covers of case.
9 - Plug in PC and turn the power on
10 - Check that harddrive is detected in the BIOS.
11 - Install Windows.

Listed out like that might make the task seem daunting, but it is actually very easy!

JohnG

Hi Waddler_8 & Proppellerent (Re Hard Drive replace),

Thought I'd update you guys (and anyone else who might be interested?) on the situation with my problematic PC and as you can see some months have passed since it was left to me to take necessary steps to sort it out.
Well, for various reasons, but mainly my tendency to procrastinate, I have left the task until the PC all but gave up a few days ago. Anyway, I had been in ctc with the supplier of the PC (Arbico) and the last instruction from them was to try reinstalling Windows, well I finally did this last weekend and to cut a long story short, I am able to work on the PC but it still shows signs of the earlier problems so it's all but concluded that the hard drive is faulty and probably needs replacing.
So, I have the option to arrange to return the PC back to Arbico (Under return to base Warranty but will be at my cost inc it's return journey) and they test the PC and advise cost of replacment parts - which is expected to be the hard drive.

So I have a slight dilema, is it worth me sending it back to them at for a cost of around £40 in total plus the cost of a new hard drive and anything else or shall I just purchase a replacement drive and fit the thing myself? They say they do tests etc so would this be needed and the sensible thing to do?

I won't have a problem fitting it myself based on Proppellerents instructions but my worry is the reinstall of Windows (which I had problems with regard to choosing the right partition earlier) plus all other drivers that may be required? I do have the Motherboard disk to load but is there anything else I might need?

Sorry to drag this one back but just looking for a little bit more guidance before making the final decision?

Cheers

poppellerant

Firstly, do you have a CD to install Windows from? Is it a Windows CD, or one provided by Arbico with their software? With a new install from a Windows CD, you just choose the harddrive and away it goes - Windows creates the partitions for you, unless you want to customise them.

Secondly, I would just buy a new harddrive. You can easily find a harddrive in the £40 region, which is the cost to you just to post the computer back! Here is a link to some harddrives on Ebuyer, as an example: http://www.ebuyer.com/search?sort=price+ascending&subcat=3265&cat=392&page=1

Your previous harddrive was a Hitachi HDS721010CLA332. This is a 1 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA harddrive with 32 MB of cache. Therefore it is important you get a SATA harddrive and not an IDE one, which are pretty much a dying breed these days anyway.

The 7200 RPM is the spin speed of the harddrive - 7200 RPM is the faster speed of desktop harddrives, 5400 RPM and thereabouts being low/mid speeds. So get one with a 7200 RPM spin speed, or you're probably going to find slower harddrivers sluggish. Cache size isn't that important, but 32 or 64 MB is best - the more the merrier!

If I were you, I would go for the Seagate 1TB Barracuda Internal Hard Drive. This has a 64 MB cache, so you may feel a slight speed improvement.

JohnG

Many thanks indeed Poppellerent! The thought of having to pack the PC up and organise the courier etc and then hope it arrives safely together with the cost and apparent need for insurance etc was/is very off putting so doing it myself seems to be a much better option.

I'm very pleased you have recommended a suitable hard drive too, the one that was suggested earlier is no longer avail, at least on that particular site.
So I don't need another Hitachi then?
Going for a 64mb sounds like a good move if it improves the speed as well (not that the speed was bad when the machine was working normally).

Thanks again, I'm going to order one today and will let Arbico know my decision - don't suppose they will be bothered either way.

Anyway, very much appreciate your help! :beer: