FAT Problems on old Windows98 PC...

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Problem with an "old" computer (1Ghz, 128MB,20GB,K7S5A) running Windows 98

When starting up, the computer would enter Scandisk and after a while mention there is an error in the FAT and that Scandisk cannot fix it and later go to DOS mode and print: "Data error (reading) - Drive C - Cancel, Retry, Skip, Abandon".

I removed hard drive from that computer and installed it on another computer as slave. The drive is barely recognizable: My Computer would freeze and was only able to see it recognized in the Administration Tools.

I downloaded a Western Digital Drive Check/Fix Utility for the drive and ran it. It found errors and "fixed them". Drive is now recognized by computer and I backed up most of the data, but did receive a number of errors (corrupt files or something) when copying some files.

Reinstalled drive on old computer and booted up... after a while receive message that some key windows files are missing and to "Reinstall Windows".

Question is:
The drive seems to have a lot of errors and/or bad sectors... Should I reinstall windows on it or get a new drive? I already backed up the important data.

Thanks in advance

 

[mgob]

new drive for sure, it's completely unreliable to keep the old one,,, it is now a paper weight

 

[Skeeedunt]

It's probably just going to get worse. I'd say get a new drive for sure. Just remember that you might need to flash the bios to recognize bigger drives on an older computer like that, if you end up getting a noticeably bigger drive.

 

[Bozo Galora]

since HDD are way expensive nowadays (like $49 for a 160GB Seagate), I personally would keep using the drive. Since win98 only needs about a 250MB footprint, you wont have to retire this drive until theres only about 500-600 useable MB left. Basically, that means prob another five years of worry-free employmnet left. By eliminating the swap file, maybe even past that. So yoou are good until 2010 at the minimum.