Software to test HDD

Desmo · 01-12-2008, 11:24

My mates comp has gone tits up. Not booting Windows, even in safe mode. I think the HDD has some corrupt sectors or something. I've managed to copy all of his data across to a backup drive using Ubuntu live CD but a few file wouldn't copy due to corruption.

Is there something that I can run on a bootable CD so I can test the HDD? If it comes out OK then I'll just do a fresh XP install. If not I'll replace the drive.

loki · 01-12-2008, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desmo

My mates comp has gone tits up. Not booting Windows, even in safe mode. I think the HDD has some corrupt sectors or something. I've managed to copy all of his data across to a backup drive using Ubuntu live CD but a few file wouldn't copy due to corruption.

Is there something that I can run on a bootable CD so I can test the HDD? If it comes out OK then I'll just do a fresh XP install. If not I'll replace the drive.

Will the repair utility work in XP if you boot direct from XP Install disk ??

Davey_Pitch · 01-12-2008, 11:33

Try The Ultimate Boot CD

Daz · 01-12-2008, 11:34

From your Live CD:

http://www.ubuntu-unleashed.com/2008...ve-health.html

Nice tool that

If there's data corruption tbh I'd just be binning the HDD, even if SMART says it's ok I wouldn't trust it, especially with drives so cheap.

Desmo · 01-12-2008, 11:37

Don't remember seeing that on the Live CD. Was using 8.04.

I think I might just order up the new drive and play it safe. He was happy enough to do that and it might just be the simplest route. He only wants a small'ish drive too so cost is low.

Daz · 01-12-2008, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desmo

Don't remember seeing that on the Live CD. Was using 8.04.

It isn't, but the .deb's are linked to from that post and you can install it in the live environment

Desmo · 01-12-2008, 11:56

Ah right. Problem is he has a crappy USB ADSL modem and I couldn't be arsed trying to get the net working

Daz · 01-12-2008, 11:59

Fair do's

Get him to bin that modem though, a Windows machine has no place wholly exposed to the intarweb!

Desmo · 01-12-2008, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by loki

Will the repair utility work in XP if you boot direct from XP Install disk ??

Not tried it yet. It's the typical case of bought machine 3 years ago, know nothing about computers, doesn't keep CD's safe, no backup of family photos.
I need to grab hold of an XP OEM CD now.

I've still got to try and sort out the photos yet. They use Kodak Easyshare software

I can find some of the original jpg's but they say there should be more. They're either hidden away or stored in some kodak data file somewhere. Now I've got the machine at mine I can have a proper dig around. Last nights job was to just make sure I could get hold of all their stuff on a backup.

Daz · 01-12-2008, 12:40

If it comes to it, you could let scalpel loose on the block device. It will get you a *lot* of files though, so I wouldn't recommend it as a first stop.

Or photorec is also pretty good, not sure if that's in the repo's though.

01-12-2008, 11:24	#1
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Software to test HDD My mates comp has gone tits up. Not booting Windows, even in safe mode. I think the HDD has some corrupt sectors or something. I've managed to copy all of his data across to a backup drive using Ubuntu live CD but a few file wouldn't copy due to corruption. Is there something that I can run on a bootable CD so I can test the HDD? If it comes out OK then I'll just do a fresh XP install. If not I'll replace the drive. __________________

01-12-2008, 11:33	#3
Davey_Pitch I iz speshul Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Liverpool Posts: 6,296	Try The Ultimate Boot CD __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

01-12-2008, 11:34	#4
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	From your Live CD: http://www.ubuntu-unleashed.com/2008...ve-health.html Nice tool that If there's data corruption tbh I'd just be binning the HDD, even if SMART says it's ok I wouldn't trust it, especially with drives so cheap. __________________ apt-get moo

01-12-2008, 11:37	#5
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Don't remember seeing that on the Live CD. Was using 8.04. I think I might just order up the new drive and play it safe. He was happy enough to do that and it might just be the simplest route. He only wants a small'ish drive too so cost is low. __________________

01-12-2008, 11:56	#7
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Ah right. Problem is he has a crappy USB ADSL modem and I couldn't be arsed trying to get the net working __________________

01-12-2008, 11:59	#8
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Fair do's Get him to bin that modem though, a Windows machine has no place wholly exposed to the intarweb! __________________ apt-get moo

01-12-2008, 12:40	#10
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	If it comes to it, you could let scalpel loose on the block device. It will get you a lot of files though, so I wouldn't recommend it as a first stop. Or photorec is also pretty good, not sure if that's in the repo's though. __________________ apt-get moo