Computer freezes after Disk detection

Hi all
I think there was a relevant subject some time ago but i couldn't locate it.
Anyway...

I have 2 identical HD's one has XP Pro fully updated the other has 2K fully updated as well.
The pc is 1 month old and it stays on 24h a day(downloading...) :cool:
The first 2 weeks there was absolutely np(actually there were a few, but not like the current one)
Since i use the 2K mostly the problem was spotted while logged in at this OS.
There seems to be a system crash which occurs after leaving the pc on for a
"long" period(i.e. a day)
After reboot, the system freezes right after disk detection.To be precise it freezes on THAT screen.The only thing i can do is turn it off, unplug the power cable and wait for 10-15 minutes.Then everything works fine.
Just to mention there must be a disk error in the 2nd disk - i didn't get the chance to fix it yet.I don't think it has anything to do with the initial problem i just mention it(i'll fix it anyway)
What i want to know is whether i should expect such kind of behaviour since i keep it on(and online)for long periods of time.
The power supply is an enermax EG565AX-VE 535W which i chose after being tipped about it.I REALLY hope that's not the cause.But then again what is it? :confused:
I'm not an expert in cooling but the case seems to be OK.It's a Thermaltake VB1000BWS Soprano.It has 1 front and 1 back 120mm fans and 1 90m side fan
I've added a gigabyte g-power cooler for the processor.
Haven't tried resseting the BIOS yet i just want to determine(or even guess)what the cause may be.
Thanks in advance

Have a nice day :)

Please provide more detail about the system crash, and any error messages that appear at that time.

You may be able to check the CPU and system temperatures in BIOS. Do this after the system has be running for a while. If the CPU is over 60 C, and/or the system is over 40 C, then that may be causing the crash.

Also, run the diagnostics at the HD manuf's site for the Win 2K HD.

Ok the 2K crash goes as this...
It stops responding(after being idle for some time), the mouse moves but keyboard doesn't respond.Ctrl-Alt-Del doesn't work even after waiting for 10 minutes.No error messages.Haven't tried letting XP on for some time i might as well do that.
Right now when i boot in 2K i get an error message(i mentioned that but not in details)that says that c\winnt\system folder is missing or corrupt.It prompts me to use the windows cd with the 'r' option(OK i get it :p )Haven't tried safe mode or whatever i just think that it has nothing to do with the original problem.(The one i posted about)
I'll check the temps and run the diagnostics as u posted.
Thanx for the response

It could be the hard drive is overheating from what you describe. Everest will check all the temps, including the HDD:

Everest

Actually, the good and the bad news are the same!!!(What do i mean by that)
I let my PC work on XP for the last 2 days, and today morning i noticed the EXACT same behaviour(system crash-reboot-freezing after HD Detection)I turned it off for 5 minutes and it works again fine.
The bad news is that the problem continues.
The good news is that i'm coming closer to the solution which indeed seems to be an overheating problem.(yeah, that seems a little more tough than a simple OS problem which could be resolved in many ways-a warm summer is on its way... :eek: )
Don't think i don't pay attention to your suggestions :p (regarding the use of everest)i just didn't get the time!!I might as well stay home for the weekend and work this bugger out!Grrrr!(The sea can wait for 1 more week :mad: )

Thanx again

Have a nice day

OK well...
The disks temperature is between 30-40 Celsius.40 is the highest i've seen.All the other temps are normal.(I guess the disk temps are normal as well i just haven't dealt with them so far :))
The 2K disk is usually 2-3(once it was 6 - i think i copied large files at that moment)degrees warmer though i've booted on the first one(with XP).
I just noticed that the front fan doesn't work i don't know how that could have happened - I'll try to put it back on.
Ran chkdsk on the 2K disk with no parameters i got some errors during index check.
Ran again chkdsk /F - no errors this time(excuse me???)
The XP disk looks OK.

Have a nice day
I don't know why but i have this feeling that i'm coming closer to a disk failure.Backed it up just in case.I'll repair the 2K installation today with W2K cd and check again.

The diagnostics at the HD manuf's site will determine if the drive is failing.

Hard Drive Diagnostic Tools

Hard drive diagnostic utilities are used primarily for determining the physical condition of your hard drive, (drive integrity and read/write verification). If you are having computer problems which you suspect are hard drive related, you can test your drive with the following:

• Fujitsu "Diagnostic Tool"
  http://www.fcpa.com/support/hard-dri...utilities.html
  
  
• IBM/Hitachi "Drive Fitness Test"
  http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
  
  
• Maxtor "PowerMax"
  http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/ma...&downloadID=22
  
  
• Seagate "SeaTools Desktop"
  http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/
  
  
• Western Digital "Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (Floppy or CD)"
  http://support.wdc.com/download/inde...pid=999&swid=2

Note: In most instances you download the file to your hard drive then (extract)/execute it to create a bootable diskette or ISO CD-ROM image.

If you don't know the Manufacturer/Model# of the hard drive in your computer:

1. Download and install EVEREST Free Edition 2.20
   http://www.majorgeeks.com/EVEREST_Fr...ion_d4181.html
   
   
2. Start Everest and go to Storage > Physical Drives > Drive. To the right of "Drive #1" should be the model number of your drive, (for example "ST3250823AS").
   
   
3. Type that model number into Google (http://www.google.com) and you should be able to tell who the Manufacturer was.

Yeah, actually i DID ran the Western Digital diagnostic(it runs on windows)and i DID get an error on the specific disk i just don't remember the EXACT error message that's why i didn't mention it...

Have a nice day

I've had occasional instances of what you describe, it happens when the computer has been in standby for an extended period. Try this workaround that I use--right-click on the desktop for the context menu and select Properties; under the Screensaver tab, click Power and set the following:

• Power Scheme: Home/Office Desk
• Turn off monitor: After 30 minutes
• Turn off Hard Disks: Never
• System Standby: Never

This will avoid the "memory drain" that seems to occur when the OS is in Standby for long periods.

Hmmm...I think that these are my current settings apart from the "Turn Off Monitor" option.(i turn it off bymyself)Whenever i used either one of them during the past i had several problems...
Anyway thanks for the response mate

So,
I ran the WD Diagnostic.
I get a "FAIL" message on S.M.A.R.T. status.
When i view the S.M.A.R.T. status in details there's a list of the S.M.A.R.T. aspects(if that's the correct word - i'm sorry i've never dealt with this issue so far)where there's the record :
Re-allocated sector count value = 125
All the other values for all the other lines are black.
All the other checks are "PASS".
(Boy, this looks serious :( )
Let me know if you would like to see some screenshots.I'm sorry, it's just that i also got some network problems since yesterday :mad: (will they ever stop??????)and i can't post my messages from the computer with the problem.
Thanx for your patience

Have a nice day

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache...s&ct=clnk&cd=3

Quote:

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pandabear - post Apr 7 2006, 12:06 PM

... when an attribute fails it means the drive is dying. Drive manufacture reserve a percentage of their space for spare after they already mapped out the bad sectors at manufacturing time. Normally they map out enought marginal sectors that bad sectors will not grow under usage. When it start developing bad sectors, BIOS usually will not warn you unless it already exceed the threshold (i.e. only 6% of the spare sectors are left), and that most likely means something is starting to deteriorate.
...
I have opened up one of these drives, and found crashed head scraping up media (alumnium and its coating), and sending alumnium dust everywhere in the drive. Definitely not fixable.

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http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache...s&ct=clnk&cd=4

Quote:

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Accepted Answer from Nilknarf - Date: 04/20/2004 01:06PM PDT
...
The lower the number the worse it is. The reallocated sector count decreases as the number of bad sectors on you drive increases.

A full format will detect all the bad sectors it CURRENTLY has and will mark them as unusable, but if your disk is really starting to fail then more bad sectors will still occur afterwards.

If you can't seem to run a full thorough (5 pass) chkdsk then you can boot from your Windows XP cd and run the recovery console, from there you should be able to run a full check.

First make a note of the administrator password (not a user with 'administrator' rights, but the actual administrator user. The password for this account will have been decided during xp setup. If you can't remember it, go to run and type "control userpasswords2" without the quotes. Click on administrator and then click the 'reset password' button. you can now choose a new pasword.

Boot from your XP CD (you may have to change an option in the BIOS). When the text-based part of Setup begins, follow the prompts, choose the repair or recover option by pressing R. If you have a dual-boot system choose the installation that you need to access from the Recovery Console. When prompted, type the Administrator password (this is why you needed it!).

It should now look like DOS effectively. Now type:

chkdsk c: /r

(assuming c is your 120gb drive).

I hope this helps.

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Comment from ikik84 - Date: 04/25/2004 10:36AM PDT

...everything fine but the SMART attribute failed...
...with this smart attribute problem...can this solve?

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Comment from Nilknarf - Date: 04/25/2004 11:59AM PDT

Nope, if the drive really is failing then there is no way to fix it (the true cause of the data corruption is usually a hardware problem, such as motor problems or read-head issues). You're simply going to have to get a replacement drive, either a brand new one or a replacement if you drive is still under warranty.

I'm sorry there is no way to fix it, but look at this way, at least you caught it before you lost any data, many people aren't so lucky!

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More like this: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...lue%22&spell=1

Thanx a million SpywareDR
I just hope they replace my HD and not blame it on me...
I've heard some rather annoying stuff about the seller and their after sales support.
Good for me I backed it up...


Thanx again

Have a nice day

You're welcome. :)