will format cure?

[stevieB]

Recently acquired a 2nd hand PC,with probs.It has a noisy c drive(clanking and clicking)ran full scandisk(no errors),then defrag(a dozen or so bad sectors at the beginning of the drive),error message on start up which says "unable to load display.sys file,it may be missing or corrupted",scandisk runs automatically on start up(thorough)after prompting me about a bad shut down when it was actually shut down correctly.My question is is my hard drive screwed or will formatting the drive solve this prob,I don't want to lose my OS as I don't have a WindowsME disc,but if needs must I will.Also on start up I am prompted to install drivers for a "modem" called "HSP WDM Device" when I already have a modem(and drivers)installed.There is also a strange entry under telephony/dialing properties/telephony drivers which is "NDISWAN TAPI service provider",I can't delete this entry,immediately under this is "Unimodem Service Provider" which can't be deleted either.I think these could be rogue diallers which try to install the "HSP WDM Device" on start up.How do I get rid of these?Could someone please help?Maybe a new hard drive is the only answer?

[regans cortina]

Hmmm, if the hard drive is clanking and clunking, then it is on its last legs .
i would definately replace it . no question !!!
(no amount of defrags and sector checks will fix it)

run adaware , or spy sweeper , and get rid of anything that shouldnt be there which could be hindering your connection/startup procedures

if you are going to replace the hard drive , then disregard the last statement , because this wont matter if you get a new drive.

[glc]

My question is is my hard drive screwed or will formatting the drive solve this prob

Yes - no it won't.

Maybe a new hard drive is the only answer?

Yep.

Why?

a dozen or so bad sectors at the beginning of the drive

Bad sectors can never be repaired, they can only be "locked out" - and bad sectors are physical defects - once they start, they spread like cancer. The only way to make the drive usable is with a "zero fill" format - which will wipe everything off the drive - and it will only be temporary relief. If you are going to totally wipe it, you might as well replace it with a drive that's not falling apart, so to speak.

[stevieB]

Thanks for your help guys,will order new drive asap,prob a seagate barracuda 80gb(just under £40)I have a copy of windows 98 which I will install for the moment,upgrade to XP when I know everything is working ok.Cheers.