Computer Lockups Due to Harddrive?

Blitzkriegs · 01-27-2008, 09:20 PM

Hello,

For about the last month my computer has been randomly locking up at any given time. Sometimes, it would freeze right when the computer finished startup or even during windows loading and sometimes it would freeze after hours of use. I couldn't figure out what it was so i tested the ram with memtest86 and all 4 sticks passed. Next, i turned off all overclocks, unplugged all extra PCI cards, unplugged dvd drive just to keep the system as bare as possible but still, the computer would randomly freeze. Eventually, i took out my current hard drive (300GB) and put in an 80GB and installed XP on it instead of Vista. Everything ran fine for the 3 days that i used XP and i didnt get any lockups so i decided to format the 300GB in order to get rid of any software that may have been causing it. After it was formated, i got my usual programs loaded up (office, wow, itunes etc) and it ran well for about a day and then the lockups started again.

I cant figure out what causing this problem but im starting to think that something is just wrong with the 300GB drive. Does this sound like a harddrive issue? I defragmented the harddrive recently and it took a LONG time even though its a fresh install and then i told it to do chkdsk on startup and it kept freezing during the file verification period. finally i got the disk to load without doing chkdsk and thats where i am now but im not really sure where to go from here.

**mattlock** · 01-27-2008, 09:46 PM

Yes it does sound like your drive may have errors. You should run the diagnostic from the manufacture.

Tell me the brand and I'll post a like to the diagnostic utility.

Blitzkriegs · 01-27-2008, 09:48 PM

thankyou for the help, the drive is a Seagate. Is this something fixable you think or is the drive basically dieing? If its not fixable with some drive tool, ill probably just purchase a new drive.

**mattlock** · 01-27-2008, 10:07 PM

You are welcome that's what I'm here for.
You'll need Seatools for your Seagate drive. Download the DOS version and create a bootble floppy or CD. Boot to it and run the diagnostic. If it reports any errors or fails, then you have a problem with the drive.

Post the error code back here, or call Seagate Support ad tell them what the error is and see what they recommend.

Alot of times refreshing the drive with a deep format will clear up the errors. I recommend using DBAN You would need to greate a bootable floppy or cd to use this software also. It's a slow process but is a very good software for wiping a drive clean and start anew.

Post back with your results and or questions.

**mattlock** · 01-27-2008, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitzkriegs

thankyou for the help, the drive is a Seagate. Is this something fixable you think or is the drive basically dieing? If its not fixable with some drive tool, ill probably just purchase a new drive.

Considering it's a 300gb there's a good chance it's still covered under warranty, so if not repairable then Seagate would replace the drive. Click the link below and provide the requested info to find out if it is still under warranty.

http://support.seagate.com/customer/...validation.jsp

BTW, In order to RMA the drive Seagate would need the info from the diagnostic, so be sure to write it down.

Blitzkriegs · 01-27-2008, 10:31 PM

lol i downloaded Seatools, it loaded up fine and found my drive etc then i started the "Long Test" option and my computer locked up 2% (like 20 seconds) into the test so im going to assume that it is my drive causing the problems, Should i just RMA the thing?

**mattlock** · 01-27-2008, 10:45 PM

Did you get the DOS version or the Windows version? I'm not a fan of testing a a hard drive from inside windows. Too many variables. The only way it might be acceptable is if the 300gb is a slave to the 80gb and your OS is installed to the 80gb. The most reliable method is the DOS version.

As I stated in my previous post, I'm fairly sure that Seagate will want the diagnostic results prior to approving an RMA, so the test will need to be ran.

Blitzkriegs · 01-27-2008, 10:48 PM

nah it wasnt from windows, i downloaded a bootable iso and burned it then booted it before windows loaded. It wasnt DOS tho i dont think, it had a GUI etc with moveable mouse and everything.

**mattlock** · 01-27-2008, 10:55 PM

Then, I would try the DBAN software to do the low level format, once it completes try running the diagnostic again or can contact Seagate about an RMA.

I can't accept defeat easily, so that's why I would do the low level format before attempting to RMA, but that's just me.

It might not work since the diagnostic wouldn't run all the way through.

Please keep us posted on the outcome regardles of the path you choose.

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/sup...ns_assistance/

Blitzkriegs · 01-28-2008, 04:37 PM

yeaaaa, ran that formating tool and then tried to run seatools and it froze at 4% so im pretty sure the drive is shot, gonna RMA. Thankyou for the help :)

**mattlock** · 01-28-2008, 10:16 PM

You're welcome.

01-27-2008, 09:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Blitzkriegs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11 OS: Vista 64bit	Computer Lockups Due to Harddrive? Hello, For about the last month my computer has been randomly locking up at any given time. Sometimes, it would freeze right when the computer finished startup or even during windows loading and sometimes it would freeze after hours of use. I couldn't figure out what it was so i tested the ram with memtest86 and all 4 sticks passed. Next, i turned off all overclocks, unplugged all extra PCI cards, unplugged dvd drive just to keep the system as bare as possible but still, the computer would randomly freeze. Eventually, i took out my current hard drive (300GB) and put in an 80GB and installed XP on it instead of Vista. Everything ran fine for the 3 days that i used XP and i didnt get any lockups so i decided to format the 300GB in order to get rid of any software that may have been causing it. After it was formated, i got my usual programs loaded up (office, wow, itunes etc) and it ran well for about a day and then the lockups started again. I cant figure out what causing this problem but im starting to think that something is just wrong with the 300GB drive. Does this sound like a harddrive issue? I defragmented the harddrive recently and it took a LONG time even though its a fresh install and then i told it to do chkdsk on startup and it kept freezing during the file verification period. finally i got the disk to load without doing chkdsk and thats where i am now but im not really sure where to go from here.

01-27-2008, 09:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: Computer Lockups Due to Harddrive? Yes it does sound like your drive may have errors. You should run the diagnostic from the manufacture. Tell me the brand and I'll post a like to the diagnostic utility. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

01-27-2008, 09:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Blitzkriegs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11 OS: Vista 64bit	Re: Computer Lockups Due to Harddrive? thankyou for the help, the drive is a Seagate. Is this something fixable you think or is the drive basically dieing? If its not fixable with some drive tool, ill probably just purchase a new drive. Last edited by Blitzkriegs; 01-27-2008 at 10:03 PM.

01-27-2008, 10:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: Computer Lockups Due to Harddrive? You are welcome that's what I'm here for. You'll need Seatools for your Seagate drive. Download the DOS version and create a bootble floppy or CD. Boot to it and run the diagnostic. If it reports any errors or fails, then you have a problem with the drive. Post the error code back here, or call Seagate Support ad tell them what the error is and see what they recommend. Alot of times refreshing the drive with a deep format will clear up the errors. I recommend using DBAN You would need to greate a bootable floppy or cd to use this software also. It's a slow process but is a very good software for wiping a drive clean and start anew. Post back with your results and or questions. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

01-27-2008, 10:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Blitzkriegs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11 OS: Vista 64bit	Re: Computer Lockups Due to Harddrive? lol i downloaded Seatools, it loaded up fine and found my drive etc then i started the "Long Test" option and my computer locked up 2% (like 20 seconds) into the test so im going to assume that it is my drive causing the problems, Should i just RMA the thing?

01-27-2008, 10:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: Computer Lockups Due to Harddrive? Did you get the DOS version or the Windows version? I'm not a fan of testing a a hard drive from inside windows. Too many variables. The only way it might be acceptable is if the 300gb is a slave to the 80gb and your OS is installed to the 80gb. The most reliable method is the DOS version. As I stated in my previous post, I'm fairly sure that Seagate will want the diagnostic results prior to approving an RMA, so the test will need to be ran. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

01-27-2008, 10:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Blitzkriegs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11 OS: Vista 64bit	Re: Computer Lockups Due to Harddrive? nah it wasnt from windows, i downloaded a bootable iso and burned it then booted it before windows loaded. It wasnt DOS tho i dont think, it had a GUI etc with moveable mouse and everything. Last edited by Blitzkriegs; 01-27-2008 at 10:50 PM.

01-27-2008, 10:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: Computer Lockups Due to Harddrive? Then, I would try the DBAN software to do the low level format, once it completes try running the diagnostic again or can contact Seagate about an RMA. I can't accept defeat easily, so that's why I would do the low level format before attempting to RMA, but that's just me. It might not work since the diagnostic wouldn't run all the way through. Please keep us posted on the outcome regardles of the path you choose. http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/sup...ns_assistance/ __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free! Last edited by mattlock; 01-27-2008 at 10:58 PM.

01-28-2008, 04:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
Blitzkriegs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11 OS: Vista 64bit	Re: Computer Lockups Due to Harddrive? yeaaaa, ran that formating tool and then tried to run seatools and it froze at 4% so im pretty sure the drive is shot, gonna RMA. Thankyou for the help :)

01-28-2008, 10:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: Computer Lockups Due to Harddrive? You're welcome. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!