Noisy, freezy notebook after battery ran out.

I have been hearing whirring sounds from my Dell notebook. I can't say for sure but it sounds like it's trying to read or write for a few seconds then it stops. It seems cyclical, but while its making the noise the machine freezes up.

This all seemed to start happening after I updated Windows after I reinstalled XP sp3. Unfortunately the battery ran out just as the last update was installing and it had a rough shutdown (I know, stupid) It's been running, but strangely ever since. It also is giving me a 'jqs.exe error message' when windows starts up. I have disabled it since and the message is now gone.


There isn't much data on it but I want to do a backup. I started one using Paragon but it said it found some errors 'do you want to proceed?' so I stopped.

I ran a program called HD Tune 2.55 and it found errors (image attached).

What do I try to fix first, the HD or reinstall XP? I should do the backup 'with errors' right?

Can the HD be fixed? The image added was from a Quick Scan, I tried a full scan but it kept finding block after block of bad spots so I stopped it. The quick scan doesn't seem to be finding 'more' bad spots, just the 4 or five.

Thanks

 

Try running the the deep care utility in Advanced System Care. It includes a disc doctor function and registry error fixer that may solve your problems.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks.

I'll give it a try. I've never had fixable hard drive problems so any possible repairs will be new to me.

 

If the drive is still making noise after backing up the files, I's still replace it. The solution I posted is designed to help you get your files off the drive.

 

For what its worth. I ran a search for 'bad sectors on hard drive' which yielded good results. The most thorough being:

http://zerinsakech.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/how-to-repair-bad-sectors-on-hard-drive/

Essentially I went through My Computer and set it to run a repair CHKDSK at the next boot up. I took hours to check and repair but the noise seems to have stopped.

I ran the HD test again and it still showed the same 4 bad sectors but I guess that's to be expected.

Now on to the backup.

Another question I have is: Should this hard drive go out completely on me, do I still have a version of XP to install? All I have is the Dell XP on a separate partition on my hard drive, along with the drivers etc. I have this backed up on a full backup (to an external HD) but will I be able to use it if my HD has a 100% fail?

I've never gone through that before, or been without the XP CD to use on a new HD install.

Thanks.

ps The whirring sounds that coincided with the freezing were the same sounds Windows had when accessing and fixing the bad sectors. It not longer makes that sound or freezes.

 

If the drive tanks completely, you'll lose the restore partition. In this case, you will either have to contact Dell to purchase a restore CD or purchase a retail copy of Windows. If you go the retail route, XP isn't available anymore - you'll have to be sure your PC is powerful enough (and drivers are available) to run Windows 7 (or Windows 8 at the end of October).

The other possibility is to have someone "clone" the hard drive. If at least one of the drives (old or new) is a Seagate, there is a free cloning utility available at Seagate's website. The new drive must be at least the capacity (or larger) of the old drive. You'll have to hook both drives to a working PC using either USB adapters or docking stations (if you decide to go this route and want to do it yourself , post a reply and I'll get into more specifics on the hardware and software you'll need - honestly, ordering a restore disc from Dell will end up being less hassle and expense unless you have a friend who has the stuff to do this).

In any case, I'd still look at replacing the drive. Even though the noise has gone away for now, it sounds like the drive is on its last legs.

 

You could also hook both drives up to the motherboard, clone the drive then disconnect the old one after you shut down the PC.

I recently had a laptop with USB hub issues, and hooked both the old laptop drive, and the new one via SATA to my motherboard and used EZGig4 since I have a DriveWire tool, but freeware will work just as well.