Is there any way to Run Tests on my Hard Drive??

[Steady Teddy]

I have a Dual Boot System running XP on my 75 GB IBM Hard Drive and 98 SE on my 20 GB Maxtor HD.
A couple of weeks ago I ran the Defrag utility for XP. I always close out all the other programs (Antivirus, Firewall etc.) in the Startup Menu before running this utility.
But after running the Utility this time, I could not access my XP Hard Drive. I went back into Startup to turn on my Firewall and then rebooted only to get a DOS Error message. Unfortunately I can't remember the EXACT message but it said that the system could not access "Windows\system\config\system". I tried rebooting several times but recieved the same message. I WAS able to access my 98 Hard Drive but whenever I tried going back to the XP Drive I could not. My Hard Drive also making a "grinding" noise that I've never heard make before. It was as if Windows was trying to access the Hard Drive but was unable to. I know ALL the noises that my pc makes and this one scared the hell out me! I thought my (IBM) Hard Drive was about to go on the fritz.
I tried running "XP Repair" by booting up with my XP disc but I got the "illegal command" prompt. I had to contact Microsoft Tech Support and was guided through a step by step process of typing a series of DOS commands to run Repair manually. I mentioned the "grind" noise to the Tech Support Rep and he said that it was possible that my Hard Drive was damaged. With the help of Tech Support , I was able to run Repair.
After running Repair, I discovered that my BIOS settings all went back to default. Somehow, the reboot that I did after Defragging also caused changes to the BIOS!
The Microsoft Support Rep told me that if my pc is in a carpeted room (which it is ) that there may have been some "static shock" to my BIOS, causing it to change back to the default settings.
I changed the BIOS settings back but I afterwards I noticed strange things were happening to Windows. For instance, the "found new hardware" message would pop up when I turned my printer on the first time after running Repair. I also got the same message after plugging in my Game Controllers. I was getting this message with Hardware that I've already used. I just assumed that the reason for this was that XP Repair had replaced some of my Windows Files. The "grinding" noise didn't occur again...unitil I tried Reformatting my Hard Drive!
After a few more days, I was getting too many Windows error messages and decided to do a clean install of XP. During the installation, the grind noise came back at about 45% of the installation process.
The progress meter stayed at 45% for about 2 minutes and my hard Hard Drive was grinding for that entire time. The grinding finally stopped and the XP installation resumed.
So once again I think my Hard Drive might be damaged but I'm not sure. I don't know if it was a corrupt Windows that caused the noise or if it's my Hard Drive. I don't think there is anything wrong with the battery (the pc is 2 1/2 years old) on my Motherboard because my clock settings are O.K.

Does anyone know if there is a way to run tests on my Hard Drive (other than XP "error checking") to determine if it is indeed damaged without taking it in to a "professional"?? Is it possible that I could "electrically shock" my pc (damaging both Windows and the BIOS) by touching it while standing on carpet?

Has this ever happened to anyone else?

Thanks in advance.

[MSIuser]

Have you got SMART enabled in the BIOS?

[Steady Teddy]

What is SMART?

[Cricket]

Hi steady teddy,

What does it sound like? Was it a loud, sharp repetitive kind of sound, sort of like "tack...tack...tack...tack...tack..."? If it is, then your IBM 75GXP probably died.

The IBM 75GXP series hard drives is the one that is giving IBM all sorts of trouble and there is a class action lawsuit going on right now involving these hard drives.

Cricket

[poops]

hey steady, grinding is very bad. download the drive fitness test, DFT, from IBM's website. I've had similar problems with my IBM drive also, since i ran the test and repair, everythings been o.k. but i did have to reinstall my OS.
i did not have as much as a grinding problem, i think it would be best to ward off any future troubles and call IBM customer service or the store you got it from and get a replacement drive

[glc]

Ive had this exact thing happen to the 75GXP, you do need to run the IBM DFT, I bet it will come up with all kinds of errors. IBM will want you to try to zero out the drive, but if you call and be nice, they will give you a RMA. Expect to be without a drive for about a month.

[Blakhart]

I have heard the IBM death rattle too. Oh for a drive as fast but stable...use dft and zero the drive. I have heard that IBM will just send you someone elses' returned and zero'd drive....
Anyway, take the drive and open the male power connector pins slightly with a sharp tool, then crimp the power connector sleeves(that the pins fit into) slightly with needlnose. This will eliminate one failure mode- the power being intermittent. A jar or heat expansion may make for bad contacts in the power connection.
I have seen this for myself and heard it from others. If any drive ever needed a ups, it is the IBM.....
Click-seek seek seek-click!!!!!

[Steady Teddy]

I ran DFT and "Bad Sectors" were found. I "Erased" my Hard Drive and tried to reinstall XP but the "tick...tick...tick...tick" noise came back at 98% of the format procedure. This time the noise would not go away.
I exited out and am now typing this thread from my 98 Hard Drive.
I will now contact either IBM or the store that installed my Drive. I hope I don't have to wait a month before this matter is resolved!
Hopefully, the pc store will at least remove my bad Hard Drive and return my PC ASAP so I can use the 98 Drive while I'm waiting to hear from IBM....

Thanks for your help everyone!!