[WindowsLaptopGuy]

Hi Guys,

I am writing to you guys today because I think that my hard drive is dying, but I am not exactly sure what is happening. I am not sure if I can still use this laptop or not, it would be a real shame to lose it because I have only had it for one year and it has already been repaired once.

A few days ago my laptop had a message saying 'dumping physical memory to disk' and then had the Blue Screen of Death.
After that, it refused to boot up and only gave the message 'A disk read error has occured. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restart.'
I read about on some forums and found some advice telling me to perform a SMART test.
So I booted up from a USB into the Linux environment and used GSmartControl which has a nice GUI but just performs SMART tests etc.

This was the output of the SMART test.

smartctl 5.41 2011-06-09 r3365 [i686-linux-3.2.0-29-generic-pae] (local build)
Copyright © 2002-11 by Bruce Allen, http://smartmontools.sourceforge.net

=== START OF INFORMATION SECTION ===
Device Model: HITACHI HTS547575A9E384
Serial Number: J2540059G0NB5E
LU WWN Device Id: 5 000cca 6e0c04c6e
Firmware Version: JE4ZD60D
User Capacity: 750,156,374,016 bytes [750 GB]
Sector Sizes: 512 bytes logical, 4096 bytes physical
Device is: Not in smartctl database [for details use: -P showall]
ATA Version is: 8
ATA Standard is: ATA-8-ACS revision 6
Local Time is: Sun Oct 7 14:56:00 2012 UTC
SMART support is: Available - device has SMART capability.
SMART support is: Enabled

=== START OF READ SMART DATA SECTION ===
SMART overall-health self-assessment test result: PASSED

General SMART Values:
Offline data collection status: (0x00) Offline data collection activity
was never started.
Auto Offline Data Collection: Disabled.
Self-test execution status: ( 121) The previous self-test completed having
the read element of the test failed.
Total time to complete Offline
data collection: ( 45) seconds.
Offline data collection
capabilities: (0x5b) SMART execute Offline immediate.
Auto Offline data collection on/off support.
Suspend Offline collection upon new
command.
Offline surface scan supported.
Self-test supported.
No Conveyance Self-test supported.
Selective Self-test supported.
SMART capabilities: (0x0003) Saves SMART data before entering
power-saving mode.
Supports SMART auto save timer.
Error logging capability: (0x01) Error logging supported.
General Purpose Logging supported.
Short self-test routine
recommended polling time: ( 2) minutes.
Extended self-test routine
recommended polling time: ( 210) minutes.
SCT capabilities: (0x003d) SCT Status supported.
SCT Error Recovery Control supported.
SCT Feature Control supported.
SCT Data Table supported.

SMART Attributes Data Structure revision number: 16
Vendor Specific SMART Attributes with Thresholds:
ID# ATTRIBUTE_NAME FLAG VALUE WORST THRESH TYPE UPDATED WHEN_FAILED RAW_VALUE
1 Raw_Read_Error_Rate 0x000b 078 078 062 Pre-fail Always - 53674136
2 Throughput_Performance 0x0005 100 100 040 Pre-fail Offline - 0
3 Spin_Up_Time 0x0007 194 194 033 Pre-fail Always - 1
4 Start_Stop_Count 0x0012 100 100 000 Old_age Always - 457
5 Reallocated_Sector_Ct 0x0033 097 097 005 Pre-fail Always - 0
7 Seek_Error_Rate 0x000b 100 100 067 Pre-fail Always - 0
8 Seek_Time_Performance 0x0005 100 100 040 Pre-fail Offline - 0
9 Power_On_Hours 0x0012 099 099 000 Old_age Always - 809
10 Spin_Retry_Count 0x0013 100 100 060 Pre-fail Always - 0
12 Power_Cycle_Count 0x0032 100 100 000 Old_age Always - 457
191 G-Sense_Error_Rate 0x000a 095 095 000 Old_age Always - 15
192 Power-Off_Retract_Count 0x0032 100 100 000 Old_age Always - 17
193 Load_Cycle_Count 0x0012 100 100 000 Old_age Always - 7338
194 Temperature_Celsius 0x0002 193 193 000 Old_age Always - 31 (Min/Max 14/43)
196 Reallocated_Event_Count 0x0032 001 001 000 Old_age Always - 34515
197 Current_Pending_Sector 0x0022 056 056 000 Old_age Always - 1216
198 Offline_Uncorrectable 0x0008 100 100 000 Old_age Offline - 0
199 UDMA_CRC_Error_Count 0x000a 200 200 000 Old_age Always - 0
223 Load_Retry_Count 0x000a 100 100 000 Old_age Always - 0

SMART Error Log Version: 1
ATA Error Count: 2915 (device log contains only the most recent five errors)
CR = Command Register [HEX]
FR = Features Register [HEX]
SC = Sector Count Register [HEX]
SN = Sector Number Register [HEX]
CL = Cylinder Low Register [HEX]
CH = Cylinder High Register [HEX]
DH = Device/Head Register [HEX]
DC = Device Command Register [HEX]
ER = Error register [HEX]
ST = Status register [HEX]
Powered_Up_Time is measured from power on, and printed as
DDd+hh:mm:SS.sss where DD=days, hh=hours, mm=minutes,
SS=sec, and sss=millisec. It "wraps" after 49.710 days.

Error 2915 occurred at disk power-on lifetime: 807 hours (33 days + 15 hours)
When the command that caused the error occurred, the device was active or idle.

After command completion occurred, registers were:
ER ST SC SN CL CH DH
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
40 51 08 00 b4 30 02 Error: UNC 8 sectors at LBA = 0x0230b400 = 36746240

Commands leading to the command that caused the error were:
CR FR SC SN CL CH DH DC Powered_Up_Time Command/Feature_Name
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---------------- --------------------
25 00 08 00 b4 30 e0 00 00:22:30.912 READ DMA EXT
ef 10 02 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:30.912 SET FEATURES [Reserved for Serial ATA]
27 00 00 00 00 00 e0 00 00:22:30.912 READ NATIVE MAX ADDRESS EXT
ec 00 00 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:30.911 IDENTIFY DEVICE
ef 03 45 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:30.911 SET FEATURES [Set transfer mode]

Error 2914 occurred at disk power-on lifetime: 807 hours (33 days + 15 hours)
When the command that caused the error occurred, the device was active or idle.

After command completion occurred, registers were:
ER ST SC SN CL CH DH
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
40 51 08 00 b4 30 02 Error: UNC 8 sectors at LBA = 0x0230b400 = 36746240

Commands leading to the command that caused the error were:
CR FR SC SN CL CH DH DC Powered_Up_Time Command/Feature_Name
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---------------- --------------------
25 00 08 00 b4 30 e0 00 00:22:27.620 READ DMA EXT
ef 10 02 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:27.620 SET FEATURES [Reserved for Serial ATA]
27 00 00 00 00 00 e0 00 00:22:27.619 READ NATIVE MAX ADDRESS EXT
ec 00 00 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:27.618 IDENTIFY DEVICE
ef 03 45 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:27.618 SET FEATURES [Set transfer mode]

Error 2913 occurred at disk power-on lifetime: 807 hours (33 days + 15 hours)
When the command that caused the error occurred, the device was active or idle.

After command completion occurred, registers were:
ER ST SC SN CL CH DH
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
40 51 08 00 b4 30 02 Error: UNC 8 sectors at LBA = 0x0230b400 = 36746240

Commands leading to the command that caused the error were:
CR FR SC SN CL CH DH DC Powered_Up_Time Command/Feature_Name
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---------------- --------------------
25 00 08 00 b4 30 e0 00 00:22:24.294 READ DMA EXT
ef 10 02 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:24.294 SET FEATURES [Reserved for Serial ATA]
27 00 00 00 00 00 e0 00 00:22:24.294 READ NATIVE MAX ADDRESS EXT
ec 00 00 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:24.293 IDENTIFY DEVICE
ef 03 45 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:24.293 SET FEATURES [Set transfer mode]

Error 2912 occurred at disk power-on lifetime: 807 hours (33 days + 15 hours)
When the command that caused the error occurred, the device was active or idle.

After command completion occurred, registers were:
ER ST SC SN CL CH DH
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
40 51 08 00 b4 30 02 Error: UNC 8 sectors at LBA = 0x0230b400 = 36746240

Commands leading to the command that caused the error were:
CR FR SC SN CL CH DH DC Powered_Up_Time Command/Feature_Name
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---------------- --------------------
25 00 08 00 b4 30 e0 00 00:22:21.002 READ DMA EXT
ef 10 02 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:21.002 SET FEATURES [Reserved for Serial ATA]
27 00 00 00 00 00 e0 00 00:22:21.002 READ NATIVE MAX ADDRESS EXT
ec 00 00 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:21.001 IDENTIFY DEVICE
ef 03 45 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:21.001 SET FEATURES [Set transfer mode]

Error 2911 occurred at disk power-on lifetime: 807 hours (33 days + 15 hours)
When the command that caused the error occurred, the device was active or idle.

After command completion occurred, registers were:
ER ST SC SN CL CH DH
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
40 51 08 00 b4 30 02 Error: UNC 8 sectors at LBA = 0x0230b400 = 36746240

Commands leading to the command that caused the error were:
CR FR SC SN CL CH DH DC Powered_Up_Time Command/Feature_Name
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---------------- --------------------
25 00 08 00 b4 30 e0 00 00:22:17.666 READ DMA EXT
ef 10 02 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:17.666 SET FEATURES [Reserved for Serial ATA]
27 00 00 00 00 00 e0 00 00:22:17.665 READ NATIVE MAX ADDRESS EXT
ec 00 00 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:17.664 IDENTIFY DEVICE
ef 03 45 00 00 00 a0 00 00:22:17.664 SET FEATURES [Set transfer mode]

SMART Self-test log structure revision number 1
Num Test_Description Status Remaining LifeTime(hours) LBA_of_first_error
# 1 Extended offline Completed: read failure 90% 809 1314005395

SMART Selective self-test log data structure revision number 1
SPAN MIN_LBA MAX_LBA CURRENT_TEST_STATUS
1 0 0 Not_testing
2 0 0 Not_testing
3 0 0 Not_testing
4 0 0 Not_testing
5 0 0 Not_testing
Selective self-test flags (0x0):
After scanning selected spans, do NOT read-scan remainder of disk.
If Selective self-test is pending on power-up, resume after 0 minute delay.

I would really appreciate any help that you guys could give me.

Thanks

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WindowsLaptopGuy

Sorry to hear that you are having what you suspect to be HDD issues. couple of questions for you;
Is there data on the HDD that you would like to try and secure.
Any odd behaviour from the HDD previous to this such as being noisy or slow.
What are the exact brand and model name/number of the notebook.
Is there any warranty still in place.

[phillpower2]

WindowsLaptopGuy

Sorry to hear that you are having what you suspect to be HDD issues. couple of questions for you;
Is there data on the HDD that you would like to try and secure.
Any odd behaviour from the HDD previous to this such as being noisy or slow.
What are the exact brand and model name/number of the notebook.
Is there any warranty still in place.

[WindowsLaptopGuy]

Thanks for your nice welcome!

There is not that much data I would like to secure, so that is not a problem for me.
I don't think I have noticed any behaviour, however online games seemed slower (this may be caused by the internet connection).

My laptop is the Lenovo V570 1066-A9U.
Sandy Bridge Core i5 Processor.
6gb RAM.
Integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics card.
15 inch 1366x768 screen.
640GB Hard Drive.

Very similar to this model: http://www.bestbuy.c...3&skuId=4676403

[WindowsLaptopGuy]

Unfortunately, my warranty ran out 2 months ago, just after I sent my laptop in for repairs, also due to the hard drive.
Perhaps this is coincidence, but I do not know.

[phillpower2]

Your problem could be Ram related but due to the "A disk read error has occurred" message do check the HDD first, see below;

Run the HDDs diagnostics tool;

Make sure you select the tool that is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive, in this instance Hitachi http://www.tacktech....tid=287#hitachi for other drives http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Depending on the program it'll create a bootable floppy or a bootable CD.

If the downloaded file is the .iso type use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn the .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option) and make the CD bootable.

Let us know the results when you are able to.

[WindowsLaptopGuy]

The SMART report says that many attributes are of old age, or in the pre-fail state.
Furthermore, I was unable to find a DVD to put the HDD diagnostic tool on, having failed with a USB.
Are there are any other possible steps or should I message you when I have found a DVD?

[phillpower2]

Reply here with the results when you have been able to run the HDD tests.

[NeverSayDie]

Hi

That SMART data indicates a failing drive.

1 Raw_Read_Error_Rate 0x000b 078 078 062 Pre-fail Always - 53674136

When that 078 goes below 062 the drive will be considered failed. It probably started at 200 (different manufacturers use different start numbers) and now has gone down to 78 with 1 being the worst it can possibly be (meaning nothing can be read on the disk).

197 Current_Pending_Sector 0x0022 056 056 000 Old_age Always - 1216
combined with
5 Reallocated_Sector_Ct 0x0033 097 097 005 Pre-fail Always - 0

Often means that there is a problem with the read/write heads of the drive and not necessarily bad sectors on the disk. I usually see this pattern when drives are dropped or bumped while powered on (but not always, there are other circumstances that can make this happen so I'm not saying it was definitely dropped )

Since you don't need to recover anything from it you can replace that drive for between $80 and $90 but the problem is getting the operating system installed on the new drive.
Do you have install disks for the laptop?
Also, you say it is a
640GB Hard Drive
but the SMART report is for a 750GB hard drive. It could be that there are 110GB of built in utilities on the drive.

James

[WindowsLaptopGuy]

Thanks guys.

I'm not really sure about the capacity, but I suppose it may be a 750GB Hard Drive with 110 GB hidden.
The thing is I'm not sure if it's a problem with the hard drive or not, and whether replacing will make a difference.
I sent my laptop in two months ago because of a hard drive failure, and now, after being fixed, it is broken again.
I think it is possible that sudden shocks caused the failure of the hard drive, because I do carry it around a lot and have dropped it by accident.
Can I still use this hard drive and install Windows on it, or do I have to buy a new one?

[phillpower2]

I think it is possible that sudden shocks caused the failure of the hard drive, because I do carry it around a lot and have dropped it by accident.

Providing this information in your OP would have been helpful, the platters, actuator or as mentioned earlier by NeverSayDie a problem with the read/write heads are all possibilities as being damaged.

If the drive is mechanically damaged it is not cost effective to try and repair it.

You could try the Hitachi diagnostic tool but with this new information I would be prepared for the worse.

[WindowsLaptopGuy]

I think I will try to get a new hard drive.

Do any of your guys know a traditional HDD that is least likely to get damaged by dropping?

[phillpower2]

Sorry but to my knowledge they do not exist, I can only suggest a better padded carry case and to be a bit more careful, a HDD is easy to replace but damage the display or the MB and more often than not it is not financially viable to have the repair done in the case of the MB and at the very least it is quite expensive and time consuming to change the display.

[NeverSayDie]

My experience has been that drives over 300GB seem much more susceptible to this kind of problem due to many factors but the top two are probably.
1. The requirements for precision increase dramatically at that size
2. The drives are individually tuned at the manufacturer instead of just slapping on a standard PC board.

The most rugged solution is a non-traditional SSD but at that size your looking at over a $1000 and I don't know what else is available that fits in that laptop. I repair and recover data from laptops and external drives that have similar problems every week.

The main issue is banging it while it is powered on. If you are extra careful with the laptop while it is running, you should be okay. When it is powered off it takes much more to damage it than when it is running.

That said, it could also be an issue with condensation, abrupt temperature change or anything else that affects precision mechanical parts. The thing is that it can be very minor damage that is not noticable at first but over time it gets worse and worse. That's why I am usually successful in recoveries. It is not uncommon for a drive to completely die after I finish a recovery because the increase in damage from heavy usage required to copy everything from the failing drive.

I wish I had better news. If you go with a smaller drive, you can probably find one new for under $50 in the 100GB to 200GB range.
James

[WindowsLaptopGuy]

Thanks so much for your help guys!

I have decided to get another hard drive, as this seems the best thing to do in this scenario.

I have narrowed my choice down to these two hard drives:

http://www.amazon.co...c=1&s=computers
http://www.amazon.co...50145402&sr=8-1

Could you guys please advise me which one is better?

[mgabriel]

I would check into a solid state hard drive. The are better than the traditional hard drive. Although they cost a little more, you will have better performance and less chance of the hard drive failing since they do not have any movable parts.