SeaTools: File Structure Error

[pincho]

hey all,

my PC has been locking up randomly/restarting and BSODing the dreaded 'MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION' error since about 4 months ago. I've narrowed down any hardware error to my 160GB Seagate hard drive. So i ran Seatools and the only error i got was the NTFS File Structure error which 'Failed with Critical Errors'. Sure i said i can low-level format the hard drive and every thing would be fine, but no. The restarts keep coming back and i check with SeaTools and the File Structure error continues to appear. The only thing i can think of is that whenver i reinstall windows, i need to use partition magic to repartition my hard drive, because of Windows pre-service pack not allowing more than 132gb of storage.

any ideas? thanks

 

[Lazn_Work]

because of Windows pre-service pack not allowing more than 132gb of storage

errm.. Slipstream SP2 onto a CD and use the install to format the drive.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

==>Lazn

 

[unhappy_mage]

Have you checked your CPU completely? Prime95 would be a good thing to run...

Other possible candidates are power supply and memory. I'd be disinclined to believe it's the hard drive based on the evidence presented.

 

[pincho]

thanks for the replies

will check the slipstreaming, however i find it weird that that would be the error. also i thought it wouldnt be a hard drive error either, but if im getting this 'Failed with Critical Errors' everytime i run SeaTools, you would think somethings up. Memtested memory about 3 times for 20 hours each time, no probs, will try prime95 thanks

 

[Xilikon]

Low-level format as in windows/dos format command or a low-level formatting utility ? There is a big difference between the two.

I used a software called wipedrv to wipe the disk with random garbage then i was able to rebuild the partitions to recover the disk after the same error as yours.

 

[pincho]

Seagates low-level formatting tool

im going to RMA it, also i took it out, and although i might be a bit paranoid, when i shake the hard drive, it feels like something is loose in there, like rattling

 

[Farva]

Seagates low-level formatting tool

im going to RMA it, also i took it out, and although i might be a bit paranoid, when i shake the hard drive, it feels like something is loose in there, like rattling

sorry to hear the drive took a dive on you. it is never a good thing to hear something rattle around in something that would otherwise be solid when shook.

 

[mattgyver79]

Are you sure you don't have a loose or bad cable?

 

[pincho]

sorry to hear the drive took a dive on you. it is never a good thing to hear something rattle around in something that would otherwise be solid when shook.

well to test it, i got an old hard drive, shook it around, all good. This one rattles

Are you sure you don't have a loose or bad cable?

it rattles when i shake the hard drive, theres nothing loose inside th computer. Tried differnt sata cables too