critical hard drive error

Question

i cant access my computer, it reads critical hard drive error!!!! what is this and how can i fix it? appreciate any suggesions

Answer 1

Hi,

Sounds like you need the help of a real computer shop (one that does its own in-house servicing

and not leeks and peeks at a Best Buy or other Big Box Stores) or the System Maker's Support.

You should also check with the hard drive maker's support.

Use the Advanced Methods and the Manufacturer's Diagnostic Utilities to thoroughly check the drive.

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 Check Disk at Startup in Vista

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html

Start - type in Search box -  COMMAND   find at top of list -  RIGHT CLICK  -  RUN AS ADMIN

sfc /scannow

How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program

generates in Windows Vista cbs.log

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228

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These are much more efficient methods to check the disk. <- Advanced Methods.

From the Command Prompt of the Recovery Console (if you have one) or from a Vista disk - if you do

not have a Vista 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 /

This tells you how to access the System Recovery Options and/or from a Vista DVD

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/326b756b-1601-435e-99d0-1585439470351033.mspx

---

If you need to make repair disks - these help repair Windows not re-install.

How to Make a Bootable Disk in Vista

http://www.brighthub.com/computing/windows-platform/articles/7050.aspx

Download: Windows Vista 32 bit (x86) Recovery Disc and Windows 7

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/download-windows-vista-x64-recovery-disc/

Download: Windows Vista x64 Recovery Disc and Windows 7

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/download-windows-vista-x64-recovery-disc/

How to Make a Windows Vista Repair Disk If You Don’t Have One

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/how-to-make-a-windows-vista-repair-disk-if-you-dont-have-one/

=====================================

If CheckDisk fails to complete as above : <-- Manufacturer's Diagnostic Utilities.

(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/

==============================

If needed these tell you how to enable and disable it :

How to Fix Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/130824-chkdsk-will-not-run-startup-vista.html

Disable or Stop Auto CHKDSK During Windows Startup - scroll down to it.

http://rahuldpatel.wordpress.com/2008/11/22/

How Do I Prevent CHKDSK From Running Every Time My PC Starts?

http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=874

How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista - check methods 3 and 4

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html

Video: Stop Check Disk from constantly running when Windows Vista starts

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/itdojo/?p=193

ChkDsk Runs On Every StartUp in Windows.

http://www.winvistaclub.com/t20.html

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

You need to describe what you are seeing in more detail. This could be scareware. Does it look anything like this?

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-check-disk