Hard Drive Failure (or maybe not?)

[minos]

Hey all, I built my own pc back in January 2k2 and since then it was running fine. However, I've hhad two problems so far with my computer. The second problem is most important, but the first was bugging me for a bit, and by the way, the problems I don't think are related at all to each other.

1) One day, I was just playing Quake 3 and in the middle of a game Norton AntiVirus popped up and told me that my virus definitions were updated. However, the game slowed down and my frames per second spiked from 70 to 200. Anyway, since then its been super slow, but if it weren't for my 512megs ram it wouldn't be able to compete with this backup 750 P3. What did Norton do that made this happen?

2) This is by far the most severe problem I've ever experienced in my life. One night, I was transferring lots of files to this computer from my main computer and from this pc to my main pc. I let it go overnight because it would take one hour and it was late. I woke up the next morning to see a big STOP error. First time I've had a STOP error since I upgraded from 2k to XP. Since then, it takes forever to boot Windows XP and when it gets close it does a CHKDSK on my D:\ partition and when that's done it shows the same STOP error. I can't boot into Windows normally or with Safe mode. I tried accessing Windows Setup via the CD, but what happens is it prepares the setup and it says Starting Windows... the screen goes blank and the computer does nothing. And the boot diskettes stop at disk #2 because a file is missing on the disk. I am told many different things:
a) Harddrive or Harddrive controller is damaged
b) Buy a new harddrive
c) Buy a new PC (ok, definitely not it)
d) Send it to a tech shop
e) Replace another computer's harddrive with your damaged one and see if the problem is actually a harddrive problem
etc etc etc
I am sure it's a harddrive problem because the STOP error says UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME. I have also tried to access the command prompt in order to do a 'chkdsk /r', but then again I need to access Windows Setup which I can't do. Right now I could care less if I lose all my data, I just want my custom built dream machine to work at its normal 125% (possibly 150%.....). Thanks.


Specs:
AMD Athlon XP 1600+ (1.4GHz)
Epox 8KHA Motherboard
512 MB PC2100
Western Digital 81GB 7200RPM
128 MB GeForce4 4200 AGP
Sony 24x10x32 CDRW
SoundBlaster Audigy Gamer
Windows XP Pro

 

[earthman]

I don't Norton would have any effect on Quake, and I don't know how it could make the system slower than it was before. I suspect there is some other problem that is just coincidental to the game, etc. It could definitely be a hard drive problem, though...have you tried any disk fitness program?

 

[minos]

Never even heard of disk fitness programs til a few hours before your reply by reading about some other guy's IBM harddrive problem. If there's a free dloadable utility, can you hook me up with the link?

 

[leapingfrog0]

If your HD is manufactured by IBM, diagnostic software can be found here:
http://www.storage.ibm.com/hdd/support/download.htm

Download their setup program which will copy files to a 3.5" diskette and boot from that to run the diagnostics.

 

[minos]

my computer specs show a Western Digital....I tried getting the tools from the site but they arent released yet and the seperate utilities arent bootable

 

[earthman]

Here is a link to their diagnostic tools. You can't make a bootable disk from XP, but you can from 9x or Me. If you have any bootable system disk it will work, just boot up and then put in the utility disk to run them from there, I've done it myself. It will at least give you some idea whats going on. (or not)

 

[minos]

Now I got a new problem. I took out the drive to see the serial number to check warranty status online. I put it back in and now it won't be detected by my system and it makes weird noises while working. I switched the jumper, took it off, but it still isnt working. Did I damage it or should I switch the cable?

 

[earthman]

What kind of weird noises? That's not normal. Its possible you damaged it, but unlikely, unless you dropped it or something. It may be faulty after all.