Something you need to know about your computer.
I have seen a number of computers lately where the user describes them as slow or behaving strangely without anything specific to describe. They complain that a program is not running correctly or something that quietly indicates that a file is missing. This can be the first sign that the disk drive is about to fail!
Strangely, XP does not throw up large red flags if the disk starts to fail. In fact, I have seen computer company support desks instruct customers to run the hard disk diagnostic which will tell you the disk is fine even though it is loosing data every day or so. Disk drives have a built-in system of self repair that will keep it going even though you are regularly loosing information.
Fortunately, it is easy to tell if you are facing a pending disaster. If not caught early you can loose all your data. These errors are logged by the operating system. All you need to know is where to look. You will not get any other warning before your hard drive quits all together.
Open the Control Panel by clicking on Start in the lower left hand corner of your desktop. Double click on the Administrative Tools icon then on the Event Viewer. In the left pane, expand the Event View and single click on System to give it focus. In the right pane you will see all the System events. Look though the log for Type: Error. Disk errors will always be logged here. If you get any it may be the beginning of problems for your hard drive. It not unusual to see other errors logged for USB and CD/DVD because they are removable and sometimes they don’t get “removed” properly. Look specifically for errors related to the hard drive(s). They should never have bad tracks or sectors.
While you are looking at the event viewer it is a good idea to see what else is there. Once familiar with it, if you have trouble it can help you figure out what the problem is.
Software, Hardware and Network -- Installation and Maintenance
Problem Resolution -- Internet and Email – Virus protection
System upgrade -- Back-up planning and implementation
Business specialist with over 25 years experience
working with networked computer systems.
Michael D. Dion
Business Computer Services
MichaelDion@michaeldion.com
Phone: (512) 626-1347
www.business-computer-services.com