HDD Skipping and Error Msg

[chrispowell06]

My HDD gives me the SMART Failure Predicted Error upon boot. It seemed to have begun after I let a friend of mine use the computer to check her e-mail, etc. I believe a virus was downloaded onto the drive. I realize this means replacing the HDD but I am wondering what caused my other problem: the drives causes the computer to skip, or hiccup you could say. About every five seconds it's like the computer studders. Also after about ten minutes the computer starts losing main functions. IE won't load, the user interface of XP closes and reverts to a Win 98 look of my desktop. Also certain programs such as my burning software, etc. give me an error message and close during use. What would be the best way to back up my drives, the drive is a single 100Gb drive partitioned into two 50Gb sections. Also how do I ensure that transferring data to the new drive that the virus or whatever caused my crash does not come over to my new drive? Someone please help before I lose my everything!! Thanks

[rjfvillarosa]

What antivirus program are you using?

[minsonngo]

Can you boot into safe mode?

If so... you can try removing the virus in safe mode with whatever antivirus program you have installed. You can boot into safe mode with networking so you can update the definitions... make sure you turn off system restore too.


If that doesn't work... slave the drive to another computer... save all of your important data... then download this program here that will zero your hard drive: http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/d...6.iso?download ... it is a ISO file... you just need to burn the image to a cd... hook the old hard drive back to your original system after backing it up... set the CD drive as the first boot device... save your setting changes and pop in your cd... reboot and boot from the CD you just made to wipe out the hard drive... after that is done... reinstall the OS and your all set to go.

[Kareeser]

I don't see how a virus could affect the physical workings of a hard drive, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

Backup your hard drive immediately. Save any data you'd like to keep, and nuke the old one.

I still believe the two are not related though.

[kev7555]

The proper operation of your hard drive is dependent upon the data contained on it. It's likely not a physical problem with the drive, it's probably malware corrupting the files you need to run smoothly. The hardware only provides a storage area for your files. The file system itself is what gives you your operating system.

Moderator....thread to system security and privacy maybe? Not doing your job, just a suggestion.

-Kev

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by kev7555 Moderator....thread to system security and privacy maybe? Not doing your job, just a suggestion. -Kev

We don't have concrete proof that it is a virus yet, it could still be a coincidental hardware failure.