Re: [ubuntu-uk] Diagnosing Faulty HDD

[Jon Reynolds]

Liam,

Thanks for this detailed advise! I will try these things out. Wish I had
the actual tower to hand now so I could sort it all out...

Well at least I can determine if it is a disk problem or not.

Thanks again,

-- 
Thanks and regards,

Jon Reynolds (j0nr)

http://www.jcrdevelopments.com

On Wed, November 30, 2011 14:21, Liam Proven wrote:
>
> The best way to fix a Windows disk is using Windows, just the same as
> the best way to fix a Linux disk is using Linux.
>
> I've tried NTFSFIX. It can repair some minor problems but for /repair/
> you're better off with the real thing. For data /recovery/ Linux is
> fine and possibly better than Windows, which won't mount
> badly-corrupted drives.
>
> Yes, you can put it in an external case, that should work. For such
> things, I use an assortment of cheapo external drive adaptor cables,
> such as this:
>
> 
> (This was just the first one Froogle found - it's not a recommendation
> or endorsement for Play.com, although I've heard they're good. Never
> used them myself.)
>
> If you have the disk space, before doing anything to the drive, *back
> it up.*  Either take a whole-disk image, either using DD to a file or
> using something like PartImage, or use CloneZilla and copy it to
> another (same size or larger) drive.
>
> *Then* and only then:
>
> If you have Windows XP or newer on the system, run CHKDSK.
>
> If you don't have WinXP, you can use the freely-downloadable Windows 7
> Recovery CD. It's an ISO. It won't let you install Win7 but you can
> repair Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7 hard disks using it. Get it from
> here:
> http://neosmart.net/blog/2009/windows-7-system-repair-discs/
>
> Connect the drive, find its drive letter (e.g. drive E) and type:
>
> CHKDSK E: /F
>
> This will repair /data\-level/ corruption.
>
> If the drive is phyiscally damaged and unreadable, try:
>
> CHKDSK E: /R
>
> This *will* take a long time - it tries to reread every single sector.
>
> To be honest, the symptoms you describe don't sound like mere disk
> corruption to me. It sounds like a more serious hardware fault.
> Overheating is a very common problem on older PCs.
>
> The first thing I'd do, after backing up any data, would be to give
> the machine a really good clean, especially its fans, using an
> airduster (a can of compressed air). Make sure all its fans spin
> smoothly, are as dust-free as you can get them, and that the vanes and
> fins of the CPU and GPU heatsinks are free of dust and allow
> unobstructed airflow.
>
> Leave it plugged in to the mains but with the mains socket turned
> *off* while doing this. This means it's earthed so static buildup
> should not be a problem.
>
> --
> Liam Proven • Info & profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/lproven
> Email: lpro...@cix.co.uk • GMail/GoogleTalk/Orkut: lpro...@gmail.com
> Tel: +44 20-8685-0498 • Cell: +44 7939-087884 • Fax: + 44 870-9151419
> AIM/Yahoo/Skype: liamproven • MSN: lpro...@hotmail.com • ICQ: 73187508
>


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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Diagnosing Faulty HDD

[Liam Proven]

On 29 November 2011 08:58, Jon Reynolds  wrote:
> Hi Folks,
>
> My son claims his hard drive is faulty. He lives remote from me so I
> couldn't look at the symptoms first hand. His diagnoses is basically, that
> when he tried to log in (WinXP) the password would only work if he puts
> caps lock on (?) and when he was logged in, there were many many graphical
> artifacts everywhere, windows opening randomly and generally unusable.
>
> The faulty HDD came from someone performing a scan on the drive and
> reporting that it was 'full or errors'.
>
> Before we go any further, I have the HDD, out of the machine. (I got him
> to bring it with him). This was when I thought it was just faulty, before
> he told me that it did actually log on but behaved badly (I immediately
> thought corrupt or infected software).
>
> But seeing as I now have the drive in my possession, I need to ask advise
> on diagnosing whether the drive is indeed faulty or not. I don't (easily)
> have access to any PCs to put the drive in, so I am hoping I might be able
> to diagnose by putting the drive into an external USB enclosure that I
> have, plugging it into my netbook and going from there...
>
> Can anyone please advise best steps to take (using Ubuntu obviously)?
>
> Much appreciated.

The best way to fix a Windows disk is using Windows, just the same as
the best way to fix a Linux disk is using Linux.

I've tried NTFSFIX. It can repair some minor problems but for /repair/
you're better off with the real thing. For data /recovery/ Linux is
fine and possibly better than Windows, which won't mount
badly-corrupted drives.

Yes, you can put it in an external case, that should work. For such
things, I use an assortment of cheapo external drive adaptor cables,
such as this:


(This was just the first one Froogle found - it's not a recommendation
or endorsement for Play.com, although I've heard they're good. Never
used them myself.)

If you have the disk space, before doing anything to the drive, *back
it up.*  Either take a whole-disk image, either using DD to a file or
using something like PartImage, or use CloneZilla and copy it to
another (same size or larger) drive.

*Then* and only then:

If you have Windows XP or newer on the system, run CHKDSK.

If you don't have WinXP, you can use the freely-downloadable Windows 7
Recovery CD. It's an ISO. It won't let you install Win7 but you can
repair Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7 hard disks using it. Get it from
here:
http://neosmart.net/blog/2009/windows-7-system-repair-discs/

Connect the drive, find its drive letter (e.g. drive E) and type:

CHKDSK E: /F

This will repair /data\-level/ corruption.

If the drive is phyiscally damaged and unreadable, try:

CHKDSK E: /R

This *will* take a long time - it tries to reread every single sector.

To be honest, the symptoms you describe don't sound like mere disk
corruption to me. It sounds like a more serious hardware fault.
Overheating is a very common problem on older PCs.

The first thing I'd do, after backing up any data, would be to give
the machine a really good clean, especially its fans, using an
airduster (a can of compressed air). Make sure all its fans spin
smoothly, are as dust-free as you can get them, and that the vanes and
fins of the CPU and GPU heatsinks are free of dust and allow
unobstructed airflow.

Leave it plugged in to the mains but with the mains socket turned
*off* while doing this. This means it's earthed so static buildup
should not be a problem.

-- 
Liam Proven • Info & profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/lproven
Email: lpro...@cix.co.uk • GMail/GoogleTalk/Orkut: lpro...@gmail.com
Tel: +44 20-8685-0498 • Cell: +44 7939-087884 • Fax: + 44 870-9151419
AIM/Yahoo/Skype: liamproven • MSN: lpro...@hotmail.com • ICQ: 73187508

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Diagnosing Faulty HDD

[Colin Law]

On 29 November 2011 11:18, Jon Reynolds  wrote:
> On Tue, November 29, 2011 09:46, Simon Greenwood wrote:
>
>> I've got to agree that it sounds like software level corruption,
>> especially
>> the problem with logging in. However, there is a command line programme
>> called ntfsfix which is essentially fdsk for Windows disks which should at
>> least report errors. You could also use smartctl to look at the disk at
>> the hardware level.
>
> Is there any risk involved in running these? Risk as in loosing all data?

If the disk is suspect then the very first thing is to try and get the
data off first, before doing anything else.

Colin

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Diagnosing Faulty HDD

[Dave Morley]

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On 29/11/11 10:00, Steve Fisher wrote:
> Also download an antivirus rescue live USB/CD e.g.
> http://www.avg.com/gb-en/avg-rescue-cd-download
> 
> Steve
> 
> 
Trinity rescue kit and hirens boot cd my friend.

If you get the iso burn it boot from it and run the command in the
instructions you get an updated version with all the different
Antiviruses on.

TRK is a linux distro designed to run from cd and resolve Windows
issues and should be part of any Sys admins tool box if they have to
deal with Windows.  There are infact dd tools, ntfs clone tools etc to
salvage what you can on there too if it needs blowing away.

My suggestion is to run the basic av tools at least 3 of them from trk.

Then try the drive again finally running the diag tools after.  The
diag tools can take a life time to run but you'll find them on the
hirens boot cd.

- -- 
You make it, I'll break it!

I love my job :)
http://www.ubuntu.com
http://www.canonical.com
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Diagnosing Faulty HDD

[Jon Reynolds]

On Tue, November 29, 2011 09:46, Simon Greenwood wrote:

> I've got to agree that it sounds like software level corruption,
> especially
> the problem with logging in. However, there is a command line programme
> called ntfsfix which is essentially fdsk for Windows disks which should at
> least report errors. You could also use smartctl to look at the disk at
> the hardware level.

Is there any risk involved in running these? Risk as in loosing all data?
I should back up the disk, but if it is a software problem, I am not sure
what to back up. Personal files I guess. I know he has some big packages
on there like World of Warcraft amongst other things.

Think I was reckoning on if it was a faulty disk being able to clone it
onto a new disk. But this is pointless if it is software problem.

I also imagine, this will be tricky to diagnose, seeing as I only have the
disk?

On Tue, November 29, 2011 09:55, Steve Fisher wrote:

>If your netbook has a CD drive try this:
>http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
>
>Can put it on a flash drive, but you will need an external CD drive or
>access to a laptop/desktop.
>
>Sounds to me like it is more likely to be virus related (windows opening by
>themselves...)
>
>Also download an antivirus rescue live USB/CD e.g.
>http://www.avg.com/gb-en/avg-rescue-cd-download

As above, without the actual computer this HDD was in, will I be able to
run any of these on the drive to test for viruses? And if I do find a
virus, can I fix it with just the HDD and my Linux computer (I do have a
Win7 partition)?

Thanks for the answers!

-- 
Thanks and regards,

Jon Reynolds (j0nr)

http://www.jcrdevelopments.com


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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Diagnosing Faulty HDD

[Steve Fisher]

Also download an antivirus rescue live USB/CD e.g.
http://www.avg.com/gb-en/avg-rescue-cd-download

Steve
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Diagnosing Faulty HDD

[Steve Fisher]

If your netbook has a CD drive try this:
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

Can put it on a flash drive, but you will need an external CD drive or
access to a laptop/desktop.

Sounds to me like it is more likely to be virus related (windows opening by
themselves...)

Steve
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Diagnosing Faulty HDD

[Simon Greenwood]

On 29 November 2011 08:58, Jon Reynolds wrote:

> Hi Folks,
>
> My son claims his hard drive is faulty. He lives remote from me so I
> couldn't look at the symptoms first hand. His diagnoses is basically, that
> when he tried to log in (WinXP) the password would only work if he puts
> caps lock on (?) and when he was logged in, there were many many graphical
> artifacts everywhere, windows opening randomly and generally unusable.
>
> The faulty HDD came from someone performing a scan on the drive and
> reporting that it was 'full or errors'.
>
> Before we go any further, I have the HDD, out of the machine. (I got him
> to bring it with him). This was when I thought it was just faulty, before
> he told me that it did actually log on but behaved badly (I immediately
> thought corrupt or infected software).
>
> But seeing as I now have the drive in my possession, I need to ask advise
> on diagnosing whether the drive is indeed faulty or not. I don't (easily)
> have access to any PCs to put the drive in, so I am hoping I might be able
> to diagnose by putting the drive into an external USB enclosure that I
> have, plugging it into my netbook and going from there...
>
> Can anyone please advise best steps to take (using Ubuntu obviously)?
>
> Much appreciated.
>
>
I've got to agree that it sounds like software level corruption, especially
the problem with logging in. However, there is a command line programme
called ntfsfix which is essentially fdsk for Windows disks which should at
least report errors. You could also use smartctl to look at the disk at the
hardware level.

s/
-- 
Twitter: @sfgreenwood
"post-apocalyptic allen keys"
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