HDDangeruss

I have been having issues with my HDD inside my Gateway GT5228 for a while now, but the problems have gotten worse over the past few days for reasons I'm unaware of. The computer was bought in December 2006, and I can't find out what make and model the HDD is (more on that later).

Sometime in early-mid 2008, I noticed a grinding sound coming from the computer. It progressively got louder over time, but there was no change in performance that I could detect. At the end of August 2008 the computer slowed down quite a bit (Windows took longer to load, using Windows Explorer to browse the disk took longer than it did before). The only two aftermarket items inside the computer are an Antec 500W PSU and a Diamond ATI Radeon HD3850 (256mb launch version purchased in late 2007). The computer is running at bone stock speeds with nothing overclocked whatsoever, save for the 3850.

Late Sunday evening, Windows became Inexplicably slow. Over the next few days, Windows took progressively longer and longer to load after logon with each passing day. The latest record is 32 minutes and 17 seconds between the time I enter my password to the time that Windows is completely loaded, and this record was achieved on Wednesday. The noise also fluctuates between a low grinding sound and a higher pitched "tearing" noise. I made an audio recording of the sound, but I can't seem to find a place where I can upload it (it's a >50mb WAV file). One of the more disturbing sounds which I picked up is similar to a scraping sound made when dragging the edge of a CD across a countertop, but very soft and faint with a higher pitch/tone. It is also not a constant noise, but rather flickers in and out, and this flicker slows as the HDD slows down (I'm assuming this is what's happening).

I have never gotten any system errors relating to corrupt or missing files, HDD errors, or any other system pop-ups of any kind. This fact and the scraping sound lead me to believe that the HDD has taken physical damage of some sort, but I don't know when that could have happened as there has never been an opportunity for it to happen to my knowledge. The HDD is half empty and I have reinstalled Windows several times since the computer was purchased. I have not been able to find out what make and model the HDD is on the web, and at this point I'm afraid to even turn the computer on to look and find out (I'm posting this from my Laptop. I can't contact Gateway Tech support because the computer is out of warranty and they won't even give me the time of day. I would have to pay $60 for a half hour phone session to ask a question that would take less than 2 minutes to answer. Insane, isn't it?

Long story short (too late) my HDD is inexplicably slow, and I'm afraid it's about to die on me. Should it fail, I won't be able to replace it for some time and I would lost the data on the drive (well not really, I could take it to a recovery service but I'd rather it not get to that point). I do have backups, but they are not recent. I can't make another backup because Windows Explorer is almost completely unresponsive. The OS is Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Microsoft doesn't even offer tech support for this version of XP, and I would have to contact Gateway for help. Isn't life grand?

Oh, and I also forgot my questions. I know they're going to be hard to answer without any diagnostic tools, but the computer has become almost completely un-usable. I apologize if I have been too vague, but I've done the best job I can without being able to get any specifics. I'll try to upload the audio file somewhere so at least you can hear the horrifying sounds that are emitted from the HDD.

1) I'm almost certain this is a hardware issue, but I could be wrong (not really a question, but oh well).

2) What are the chances that the HDD will die in the next few uses of the computer, if it is indeed failing?

3) Is there any fix to this other than replacing the drive? Because it would really suck to not be able to use the computer until Christmas (all of my games are on there).

Phædrus2401

Are you sure the scraping noise is coming from the hard drive and not from a fan? Just want to make sure of that before we suggest anything else. Make sure none of your fans are spinning anomalously slow.

raptor_pa

From your description sounds like a head failure. as far as make and model, open the computer and look at the label on the HDD - it will all be there. It sounds like it is on the way out, best bet is to backup while you can. The good news, ids the HDD may have a five year warrantee thru the HDD manufacturer ( depending on who that may be ) so pull the drive, check the make and model, get the serial number and head off to the manufaturer's site to check for warranty replacement. At this point, back up your data files while you can, games and apps will have to be reinstalled anywway, but you can at least get some of your data files.

HDDangeruss

The scraping is coming from the HDD. I pointed the mic I used to record the audio at all of the fans and the scraping was not audible unless the mic was aimed directly ad the HDD. I was also able to pinpoint the source of the noise with my own two ears with absolute silence in the room and the rest of the house.

HDDangeruss

Alright, that's my next step then.

And thanks for the speedy replies.

HDDangeruss

The final verdict is that it is indeed a head failure, and that it doesn't have a 3 or 5 year warranty through the manufacturer. :( This sucks.

HDDangeruss

Oh, and I don't know why this is, but after I reconnected everything and turned it on to check and see if I screwed anything up, Windows loaded in a matter of minutes. No discernible lag when browsing Windows Explorer, and the grinding was minimal.

wrench97

Back it up while you still can, and order a new drive, this one is going to crash very soon.