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crystaldiskmark

Windows Hard Disk Error Message


Firest4rter asked on December 13, 2010
I just got a strange error message that popped up while I was browsing around on Facebook. Before I do anything about
it, I want to be sure that it is legit and not someone's attempt to get me to install a virus or something like that. And if it is
legit, I want to know what I should do about it.

The error message says:


"Windows detected a hard disk problem
Back up your files immediately to prevent information loss, and then contact the computer manufacturer to determine if
you need to repair or replace the disk."
Then it gives me two options:
"Start the backup process"
"Ask me again later
If the disk fails before the next warning, you could lose all of the programs and documents on the disk."
Then if I click the "Show details" button, it says:
"Immediate steps
Because a disk failure will cause you to lose all programs, files and documents on the disk, you should back up your
important information immediately. Try not to use your computer until you have repaired or replaced the hard disk.
Which disk is failing?
The following hard disks are reporting failure:
Disk Name: Seagate FreeAgent XTreme
Volume: I:\"
I am running Windows Vista 64 bit, and the harddrive in question is an external Seagate drive, as noted by the error
message. I also screenshotted the message box if that description wasn't good enough.

61 people had this question


Hi,
Disk issues can get serious very quickly so I would thoroughly check the drive now and be sure
to keep redundant backups of your important data (use several methods).
Inside Windows - Regular or Safe Mode (repeatedly tap F8 as you boot).
Run checkdisk - schedule it to run at next start and then Apply OK your way out then restart.
How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html
OR :
Start - type in Search box - COMMAND find at top of list - RIGHT CLICK - RUN AS ADMIN
sfc /scannow
How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
Then run checkdisk (chkdsk).
How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html
---------------------------------------------------For even better and more efficient checking :
From the Command Prompt of the Recovery Console (if you have one) or from a Vista/Windows
7 disk - if you do not have a Vista/Windows 7 disk you can borrow a friend's (it needs to be same
32 or 64 bit and they are not copy protected) or make one. Also your System maker will sell the
physical disks cheap since you already own Windows.
chkdsk /f /r
REBOOT
Space after k and before / and after f and before /

sfc /scannow
REBOOT
Space after c and before /
How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html
What are the system recovery options in Windows 7?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-are-the-system-recovery-options-in-Windows-7
---------------------------------------------------------------Go into Setup/Settings (BIOS/CMOS) often F2 as you boot so watch screen as you startup. Set the
boot order to CD/DVD to use Windows disks (Vista or Windows 7 whichever you have installed.)
Remember to set back when done.
If you need to make repair disks - these help repair Windows not re-install.
How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html
=====================================
If CheckDisk fails to complete as above :
(The old 302602 links is not valid now for the diagnostic links.)
Diagnostic Utilities By Manufacturer - run the one for your hard drive
http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/hard-drive-support/462298-no-ide-device-found.html
Corrected list as of 6-09-2010
Fujitsu Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.fujitsu.com/emea/products/hdd/
Hitachi Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.hitachigst.com/support/downloads/
IBM Hard Drives: Use Hitachi Utilities*
Toshiba Hard Drives: Use Hitachi or Maxtor Utilities
Maxtor Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here (now SeaGate)
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/
Quantum Hard Drives: Use Maxtor Utilities
Seagate Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads
Conner Hard Drives: Use Seagate Utilities
Samsung Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/
Western Digital Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en
The trial versions of one of these "might" help.
SpeedFan
http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php
HD Tune
http://www.hdtune.com/
Hope this helps and Happy Holiday!

Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

1 person found this helpful

Helpful
Hi,
Disk issues can get serious very quickly so I would thoroughly check the drive now and be sure
to keep redundant backups of your important data (use several methods).
Inside Windows - Regular or Safe Mode (repeatedly tap F8 as you boot).
Run checkdisk - schedule it to run at next start and then Apply OK your way out then restart.
How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html
OR :
Start - type in Search box - COMMAND find at top of list - RIGHT CLICK - RUN AS ADMIN
sfc /scannow
How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
Then run checkdisk (chkdsk).
How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html
---------------------------------------------------For even better and more efficient checking :
From the Command Prompt of the Recovery Console (if you have one) or from a Vista/Windows
7 disk - if you do not have a Vista/Windows 7 disk you can borrow a friend's (it needs to be same
32 or 64 bit and they are not copy protected) or make one. Also your System maker will sell the
physical disks cheap since you already own Windows.
chkdsk /f /r
REBOOT
Space after k and before / and after f and before /
sfc /scannow
REBOOT
Space after c and before /
How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html
What are the system recovery options in Windows 7?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-are-the-system-recovery-options-in-Windows-7
---------------------------------------------------------------Go into Setup/Settings (BIOS/CMOS) often F2 as you boot so watch screen as you startup. Set the
boot order to CD/DVD to use Windows disks (Vista or Windows 7 whichever you have installed.)
Remember to set back when done.
If you need to make repair disks - these help repair Windows not re-install.
How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html
=====================================
If CheckDisk fails to complete as above :
(The old 302602 links is not valid now for the diagnostic links.)
Diagnostic Utilities By Manufacturer - run the one for your hard drive
http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/hard-drive-support/462298-no-ide-device-found.html

Corrected list as of 6-09-2010


Fujitsu Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.fujitsu.com/emea/products/hdd/
Hitachi Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.hitachigst.com/support/downloads/
IBM Hard Drives: Use Hitachi Utilities*
Toshiba Hard Drives: Use Hitachi or Maxtor Utilities
Maxtor Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here (now SeaGate)
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/
Quantum Hard Drives: Use Maxtor Utilities
Seagate Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads
Conner Hard Drives: Use Seagate Utilities
Samsung Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/
Western Digital Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en
The trial versions of one of these "might" help.
SpeedFan
http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php
HD Tune
http://www.hdtune.com/
Hope this helps and Happy Holiday!

Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Reply

J.D.Judge replied on September 5, 2015


I see this is an old thread, but this just happened on my wife's computer. Contacted Samsung and they checked my
computer and made a few changes; installed a critical win 7 update and updated the BIOS. The hard drive said it was
working properly and the agent said the laptop was working properly and not to worry about the hard drive failing.
Restarted the computer and got the same message as described above again. So hopefully this is just windows clashing
with Samsung which I have heard is possible. If anyone has any further info than earlier posted please let me know.

3 Easy Ways To Check The Health Of Your Hard Disk In


Windows 7
Angel Luis 28th Dec 2010 Windows 4 Comments
Hard disk failure happens for several reasons a power failure, virus infection, a bad
installation, and many other things that can lead to strange behaviours.

In this post we will show you how you can diagnose and solve your hard disk problems
with the default tools inWIndows 7.
Note: The order is not random. Follow these steps, according to their orders, to see if the
issues get solved.

1. Using Windows 7 Error Checking Tools

Sometimes when we found a problem, we tend to install third party applications and
forget about the basic tools that come bundled with Windows. Unknown to many, many
complex issues can be easily fixed using programs that are part of Windows operating
system since its first release. A simple interface doesnt mean it is a uselessutilty.
First, double click My Computer.

Now select the drive you want to inspect and right click:

Go to tools tab, and click Check now:

Now, check that you select automatically fix and scan for bad sectors:

If Windows cannot perform the checking because the disk is in use, it will ask to schedule
the next time you start your computer.

2. Using Windows 7 Recovery CD

Other way to check your hard disk is using the Windows 7 Recovery CD. These tools can
be found in the Windows7 CD or with a System Repair CD. You can learn how to do it
here:
How To Create A System Repair Disc in Windows 7
You can use this CD to look for problems in your hard disk. You have to boot your
computer with this CD. Once you have selected your language, you will see a window
asking what tool you want to start. In this case we are going to use the command prompt:

Once you do that type chkdsk c: /R and press Enter to launch the application:

The verification process has 5 stages. CHKDSK verify files, indexes, security
descriptors, USN Journal, file data and free space.
3. Using System File Checker

Not all files in your computer are essentials for your operating system. System File
Checker will check those files and solve any integrity problem.
Use the find utility in the start menu. Type cmd, rigth click and select Run as
administrator.

Now in the command window, type "sfc /scannow" and press Enter.

The result will inform you if there is any integrity violations.

What other ways do you use to check the health of your hard disk?

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4 comments

Recommended by

1.

frnz
Another solution I often refer to, is this: I boot the pc with an Ubuntu USB key and then
go to the Administration Menu. There I fire up the Disk Utility and check the result
selecting the hard disk on the device tree on the left side pane.
It can tell you that the disk is healthy or that there are a few bad sectors. You can also
run an extensive SMART disk test.
Dec 28, 2010 at 11:29 pm

1.

Angel
Thanks for the info.
Linux is a great choice to fix a Windows system.
Dec 29, 2010 at 9:02 am

2.

gelteribe
10q for information
Feb 24, 2012 at 12:00 am

3.

Tushar Agarwal
I use CrystalDisk for windows to check hdd health, works well and its a free utility.

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