[HIVEM]

So today 10th February 2012 I booted up my PC and I found myself staring at a black screen with a message stating that my 'Hard Drive has critical failures and may imminently stop working. Back up your files and replace or repair your Hard Drive now'

with F11 to go to setup or F2 to continue to proceed to the desktop etc.

I pressed F2 and continued to login and such to check whether I could troubleshoot the problem or fix it myself.

As soon as I logged in a pop-up displayed stating the same thing adding that I should back-up my data etc. and stop using the PC and then to contact the manufacturer (HP) to determine whether I need to replace the HDD.

I then tried to back-up my files as a contingency plan but all my attempts have ended up as an error or the 'removable media' has already got similar files to the back-up ones.

Worried as anyone would be I have frantically been researching about error messages, Windows 7 and HDD's over the net.

I have found out that either it may be malware/virus's or the actual hardware may be failing. I also found out that it maybe Scareware but no pop-ups has come up that is trying to sell me bogus software so I assume that is not the problem.

I have also been given advice to run scans using MalwareBytes (MBAM), the scans havn't found any malicious files or objects, I have also used AVG Free edition 2012 and that hasn't found anything either.

I have also used CHKDSK and HDDHealth to determine whether my HDD is actually malfunctioning but the results came back all clear and fine.

I can't determine what the problem is and I really need help, I don't think I can actually replace the HDD if that is what it comes down to so I'll need software help first before anything drastic. I also don't really download any software and such btw. But I have recently downloaded RegSoft Free Windows Registry Repair - it is meant to fix registry errors. Maybe I accidentally deleted or fixed a registry entry that was vital to the HDD?

My PC is 1 year and 1 month old; it has been functioning absolutely perfectly in that time and just today the message came up; it was just a shock.

My PC is a HP G5200uk Desktop model.
3GB RAM
M2N68-LA (Narra6) motherboard
AMD Athlon II X2 220 processor (dual core)
1TB HARD DRIVE (Standard HP issue)

I would really appreciate help right now, thank you.


I forgot to mention the 'affected' drives are the C:\ and D:\ drives

the actual pop-up says
'The following hard disks are reporting failure:'
Disk Name: ST310005 28AS SCSI Disk Device
Volume: C:\;D:\

 

[Wand3r3r]

Appears to me this was a bios SMART error. Not malware or scareware.

You should take it seriously. Most HP's only have a year warranty and unless you upgraded that you are now out of warranty. You should double check since they will send you a new drive if you are under warranty.

chkdsk isn't going to tell you that you have mechanical errors.
the errors could be due to the scsi controller

You need to backup your data to outside-your-pc media. USB drive would be your best bet.

Give HP support a call wouldn't hurt either.

 

[shawnpb]

Appears to me this was a bios SMART error. Not malware or scareware.

You should take it seriously. Most HP's only have a year warranty and unless you upgraded that you are now out of warranty. You should double check since they will send you a new drive if you are under warranty.

chkdsk isn't going to tell you that you have mechanical errors.
the errors could be due to the scsi controller

You need to backup your data to outside-your-pc media. USB drive would be your best bet.

Give HP support a call wouldn't hurt either.

Yes backup all important files. You will need a new HDD.

 

[HIVEM]

Thanks for the notice lol

I have an uncle who is an IT tech so I'll see what he can do and what his professional judgement is, that's a load of my chest.

Thanks Jack_Bauer, really helpful