90 bad sectors, but still working. Should I trash this HD?

[MadScientist]

You CAN'T fix bad sectors, in the old day you can do a low level format and map out the bad sectors.

You are correct. The word fix should be replaced with remap.

http://www.dtidata.com/resourcecenter/2011/03/30/how-to-fix-bad-sectors-on-a-hard-drive/

 

[mfenn]

You CAN'T fix bad sectors, in the old day you can do a low level format and map out the bad sectors.

Correct. New drives do the remapping on the fly, so a low-level format isn't necessary.

 

[Binky]

Is your data worth more than 50 bucks? Because that's at most what a replacement for that drive is worth.

I can't believe people here are actually suggesting that you keep using it.

ETA: If you're really just using it for "testing" (not sure what that means) and you are comfortable with the idea that everything on it could be lost at any time with no warning, then fine. Otherwise, junk it.

FUD

 

[cubby1223]

FUD

Everyone believes they are invincible up until the point their data is gone.

 

[Mushkins]

Everyone believes they are invincible up until the point their data is gone.

It's more an issue of the value of the data vs the risk of using the drive anyway.

I have some drives in similar conditions that i've salvaged from old, dying systems. I use them for testing VMs and different linux distros or as a temporary external when i'm juggling data thats not mission critical.

I don't think im invincible, I just don't put anything that matters if I lose on them. I've had some of these drives for years and years, why waste a couple hundred bucks replacing them just because?