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MFT (master file table) error after 15 months

S

Student

Flightless Bird
I had this new clone shop assembled computer for 15 months.

My C partition has windows 7 32 bit home premiums for just under one year.

I make frequent true image backups and do "experiment" with windows 7
and at times after mucking up my system I will restore the most recent image.

(I make a daily backup of my Thuderbird folder to a separate partition with
a batch file). The backups and images are on a second hard disk.

A few days ago when I tried to restore a one week old image I got a MFT error.

In the end I did succeed after formatting the partition.

DOES THIS MEAN MY HARD DISK IS BECOMING FLAKY?

If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital blue as
the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky disk.

I am a health professional who enjoys tinkering with windows and helping family and
friends with the knowledge thus acquired.
 
E

Ed Cryer

Flightless Bird
On 17/10/2010 16:58, Student wrote:
> I had this new clone shop assembled computer for 15 months.
>
> My C partition has windows 7 32 bit home premiums for just under one year.
>
> I make frequent true image backups and do "experiment" with windows 7
> and at times after mucking up my system I will restore the most recent image.
>
> (I make a daily backup of my Thuderbird folder to a separate partition with
> a batch file). The backups and images are on a second hard disk.
>
> A few days ago when I tried to restore a one week old image I got a MFT error.
>
> In the end I did succeed after formatting the partition.
>
> DOES THIS MEAN MY HARD DISK IS BECOMING FLAKY?
>
> If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital blue as
> the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky disk.
>
> I am a health professional who enjoys tinkering with windows and helping family and
> friends with the knowledge thus acquired.


I should think a good end-to-end check with the disk-checker should give
you some indication. Tick all options, especially "attempt recovery of
bad sectors"; which will scan every single sector on the thing.

It's the system disk so Win7 will insist on having exclusive access to
it, after a reboot.

The report it produces will be your guide for any further action. Let us
know. I'd be glad to advise.

Ed
 
P

Paul

Flightless Bird
Student wrote:
> I had this new clone shop assembled computer for 15 months.
>
> My C partition has windows 7 32 bit home premiums for just under one year.
>
> I make frequent true image backups and do "experiment" with windows 7
> and at times after mucking up my system I will restore the most recent image.
>
> (I make a daily backup of my Thuderbird folder to a separate partition with
> a batch file). The backups and images are on a second hard disk.
>
> A few days ago when I tried to restore a one week old image I got a MFT error.
>
> In the end I did succeed after formatting the partition.
>
> DOES THIS MEAN MY HARD DISK IS BECOMING FLAKY?
>
> If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital blue as
> the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky disk.
>
> I am a health professional who enjoys tinkering with windows and helping family and
> friends with the knowledge thus acquired.


A copy of HDTune, can display the SMART statistics. SMART can give you some
warning, that the disk isn't healthy.

http://www.hdtune.com/files/hdtune_255.exe

If the Pending Sector count is significant, it could mean the
drive has physical problems.

The disk manufacturers, also offer downloadable tools, which include disk
diagnostics. Those tools can be used to decide whether the drive should
be returned under warranty, or replaced before something bad happens.

One disk manufacturer, offers virtually no tools for download. And
that company, makes it easy to decide what brand of disks to buy.

Paul
 
P

Paul

Flightless Bird
Student wrote:
>>> DOES THIS MEAN MY HARD DISK IS BECOMING FLAKY?
>>>

>
>> http://www.hdtune.com/files/hdtune_255.exe
>>

>
>> Paul

>
> Hi Paul
>
> I used HDtune and a detailed scan with no errors.
>
> At this stage I am presuming that it was fluke!
>
> Farouk


What do the SMART statistics show ?

Paul
 
C

croy

Flightless Bird
On Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:58:10 GMT, student@yahoo.com
(Student) wrote:

>I had this new clone shop assembled computer for 15 months.
>
>My C partition has windows 7 32 bit home premiums for just under one year.
>
>I make frequent true image backups and do "experiment" with windows 7
>and at times after mucking up my system I will restore the most recent image.
>
>(I make a daily backup of my Thuderbird folder to a separate partition with
>a batch file). The backups and images are on a second hard disk.
>
>A few days ago when I tried to restore a one week old image I got a MFT error.
>
>In the end I did succeed after formatting the partition.
>
>DOES THIS MEAN MY HARD DISK IS BECOMING FLAKY?
>
>If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital blue as
>the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky disk.
>
>I am a health professional who enjoys tinkering with windows and helping family and
>friends with the knowledge thus acquired.


Given that you like to tinker with Windows, and that you are
questioning the health of your hard drive, then the answer
is "SpinRite"! It's not free, but it's *very* good at
assessing the health of a questionable hard drive. And the
license doesn't expire, and allows the registered owner to
use it on *any* computer.

Look it up here: www.grc.com

--
croy
 
P

philo

Flightless Bird
On 10/17/2010 12:37 PM, Student wrote:
>>>
>>> DOES THIS MEAN MY HARD DISK IS BECOMING FLAKY?
>>>

>
>>
>> http://www.hdtune.com/files/hdtune_255.exe
>>

>
>>
>> Paul

>
> Hi Paul
>
> I used HDtune and a detailed scan with no errors.
>
> At this stage I am presuming that it was fluke!
>
> Farouk



I'd also run a ram test
 
L

Lewis

Flightless Bird
In message <_eSdnUtqDdyPgCbRnZ2dnUVZ_hWdnZ2d@giganews.com>
Student <student@yahoo.com> wrote:
> If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital blue as
> the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky disk.


1) where are you going to find a hard drive that small?

2) Why would you bother to buy and install a hard drive that small?


--
Q: Does anyone know how many LOCs were in the Space Shuttle' codebase?
A: 45. It was written in perl (paraphrased Slashdot discussion)
 
C

Char Jackson

Flightless Bird
On Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:11:00 +0000 (UTC), Lewis
<g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote:

>In message <_eSdnUtqDdyPgCbRnZ2dnUVZ_hWdnZ2d@giganews.com>
> Student <student@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital blue as
>> the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky disk.

>
>1) where are you going to find a hard drive that small?


Everywhere that sells drives. Newegg, for example, has a dozen and a
half to choose from. Amazon is about the same. B&M stores have less
selection overall, but the size class is well represented on store
shelves.

>2) Why would you bother to buy and install a hard drive that small?


I can't answer for the OP, but I would think it's for lower purchase
cost. Personally, my last 16 drives have been 2TB models, but not
everyone wants that much storage.
 
K

Ken Blake

Flightless Bird
On Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:37:24 -0500, Char Jackson <none@none.invalid>
wrote:

> On Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:11:00 +0000 (UTC), Lewis
> <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote:
>
> >In message <_eSdnUtqDdyPgCbRnZ2dnUVZ_hWdnZ2d@giganews.com>
> > Student <student@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital blue as
> >> the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky disk.

> >
> >1) where are you going to find a hard drive that small?

>
> Everywhere that sells drives. Newegg, for example, has a dozen and a
> half to choose from. Amazon is about the same. B&M stores have less
> selection overall, but the size class is well represented on store
> shelves.
>
> >2) Why would you bother to buy and install a hard drive that small?

>
> I can't answer for the OP, but I would think it's for lower purchase
> cost. Personally, my last 16 drives have been 2TB models, but not
> everyone wants that much storage.



I just checked on Amazon.com. I didn't look at all the choices, but
the first 320GB drive was $45 and the first 1TB one was $49.

Saving $4 to get only 1/3 the size makes no sense to me, not even if
you think you don't need that much now; you never know what your
future needs might be. And the 1TB one is faster.
 
C

Char Jackson

Flightless Bird
On Mon, 18 Oct 2010 07:48:02 -0700, Ken Blake <kblake@kb.invalid>
wrote:

>On Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:37:24 -0500, Char Jackson <none@none.invalid>
>wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:11:00 +0000 (UTC), Lewis
>> <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote:
>>
>> >In message <_eSdnUtqDdyPgCbRnZ2dnUVZ_hWdnZ2d@giganews.com>
>> > Student <student@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> >> If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital blue as
>> >> the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky disk.
>> >
>> >1) where are you going to find a hard drive that small?

>>
>> Everywhere that sells drives. Newegg, for example, has a dozen and a
>> half to choose from. Amazon is about the same. B&M stores have less
>> selection overall, but the size class is well represented on store
>> shelves.
>>
>> >2) Why would you bother to buy and install a hard drive that small?

>>
>> I can't answer for the OP, but I would think it's for lower purchase
>> cost. Personally, my last 16 drives have been 2TB models, but not
>> everyone wants that much storage.

>
>
>I just checked on Amazon.com. I didn't look at all the choices, but
>the first 320GB drive was $45 and the first 1TB one was $49.
>
>Saving $4 to get only 1/3 the size makes no sense to me, not even if
>you think you don't need that much now; you never know what your
>future needs might be. And the 1TB one is faster.


I totally agree with you. I was just taking the extreme position where
it was crucial to save every dollar possible, which was an assumption
on my part.
 
D

Dave

Flightless Bird
"Student" <student@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:_eSdnUtqDdyPgCbRnZ2dnUVZ_hWdnZ2d@giganews.com...
> I had this new clone shop assembled computer for 15 months.
>
> My C partition has windows 7 32 bit home premiums for just under one
> year.
>
> I make frequent true image backups and do "experiment" with windows 7
> and at times after mucking up my system I will restore the most recent
> image.
>
> (I make a daily backup of my Thuderbird folder to a separate partition
> with
> a batch file). The backups and images are on a second hard disk.
>
> A few days ago when I tried to restore a one week old image I got a MFT
> error.
>
> In the end I did succeed after formatting the partition.
>
> DOES THIS MEAN MY HARD DISK IS BECOMING FLAKY?
>
> If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital
> blue as
> the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky
> disk.
>
> I am a health professional who enjoys tinkering with windows and helping
> family and
> friends with the knowledge thus acquired.


WD has a diagnostic software you can use to check your drive. On my desktop
I can access it from the BIOS or from the software installed.
HTH,
Dave
 
G

Gene E. Bloch

Flightless Bird
On Mon, 18 Oct 2010 07:48:02 -0700, Ken Blake wrote:

> On Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:37:24 -0500, Char Jackson <none@none.invalid>
> wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:11:00 +0000 (UTC), Lewis
>> <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote:
>>
>>>In message <_eSdnUtqDdyPgCbRnZ2dnUVZ_hWdnZ2d@giganews.com>
>>> Student <student@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>> If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital blue as
>>>> the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky disk.
>>>
>>>1) where are you going to find a hard drive that small?

>>
>> Everywhere that sells drives. Newegg, for example, has a dozen and a
>> half to choose from. Amazon is about the same. B&M stores have less
>> selection overall, but the size class is well represented on store
>> shelves.
>>
>>>2) Why would you bother to buy and install a hard drive that small?

>>
>> I can't answer for the OP, but I would think it's for lower purchase
>> cost. Personally, my last 16 drives have been 2TB models, but not
>> everyone wants that much storage.

>
>
> I just checked on Amazon.com. I didn't look at all the choices, but
> the first 320GB drive was $45 and the first 1TB one was $49.
>
> Saving $4 to get only 1/3 the size makes no sense to me, not even if
> you think you don't need that much now; you never know what your
> future needs might be. And the 1TB one is faster.


Don't forget that energy (and hence data) has mass, so the 1TB drive
might be too heavy for Student's desk when it gets full. Would you pay
an extra $4 and take a chance of ruining your desk?

I have friends who would think I was serious when I wrote the above and
would follow up by trying to talk me out of believing in Relativity.
Honestly...

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)
 
D

Dave

Flightless Bird
"Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
news:agw86nhzijlh.7xq1f9fv9kcp.dlg@40tude.net...
> On Mon, 18 Oct 2010 07:48:02 -0700, Ken Blake wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:37:24 -0500, Char Jackson <none@none.invalid>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:11:00 +0000 (UTC), Lewis
>>> <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote:
>>>
>>>>In message <_eSdnUtqDdyPgCbRnZ2dnUVZ_hWdnZ2d@giganews.com>
>>>> Student <student@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>> If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital
>>>>> blue as
>>>>> the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky
>>>>> disk.
>>>>
>>>>1) where are you going to find a hard drive that small?
>>>
>>> Everywhere that sells drives. Newegg, for example, has a dozen and a
>>> half to choose from. Amazon is about the same. B&M stores have less
>>> selection overall, but the size class is well represented on store
>>> shelves.
>>>
>>>>2) Why would you bother to buy and install a hard drive that small?
>>>
>>> I can't answer for the OP, but I would think it's for lower purchase
>>> cost. Personally, my last 16 drives have been 2TB models, but not
>>> everyone wants that much storage.

>>
>>
>> I just checked on Amazon.com. I didn't look at all the choices, but
>> the first 320GB drive was $45 and the first 1TB one was $49.
>>
>> Saving $4 to get only 1/3 the size makes no sense to me, not even if
>> you think you don't need that much now; you never know what your
>> future needs might be. And the 1TB one is faster.

>
> Don't forget that energy (and hence data) has mass, so the 1TB drive
> might be too heavy for Student's desk when it gets full. Would you pay
> an extra $4 and take a chance of ruining your desk?
>


We just got all new desks at my school so I think it would be ok as they
seem to be very strong. ;-)
 
G

Gene E. Bloch

Flightless Bird
On Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:47:26 -0500, Dave wrote:

> "Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
> news:agw86nhzijlh.7xq1f9fv9kcp.dlg@40tude.net...
>> On Mon, 18 Oct 2010 07:48:02 -0700, Ken Blake wrote:
>>
>>> On Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:37:24 -0500, Char Jackson <none@none.invalid>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:11:00 +0000 (UTC), Lewis
>>>> <g.kreme@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>In message <_eSdnUtqDdyPgCbRnZ2dnUVZ_hWdnZ2d@giganews.com>
>>>>> Student <student@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>>> If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital
>>>>>> blue as
>>>>>> the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a flaky
>>>>>> disk.
>>>>>
>>>>>1) where are you going to find a hard drive that small?
>>>>
>>>> Everywhere that sells drives. Newegg, for example, has a dozen and a
>>>> half to choose from. Amazon is about the same. B&M stores have less
>>>> selection overall, but the size class is well represented on store
>>>> shelves.
>>>>
>>>>>2) Why would you bother to buy and install a hard drive that small?
>>>>
>>>> I can't answer for the OP, but I would think it's for lower purchase
>>>> cost. Personally, my last 16 drives have been 2TB models, but not
>>>> everyone wants that much storage.
>>>
>>>
>>> I just checked on Amazon.com. I didn't look at all the choices, but
>>> the first 320GB drive was $45 and the first 1TB one was $49.
>>>
>>> Saving $4 to get only 1/3 the size makes no sense to me, not even if
>>> you think you don't need that much now; you never know what your
>>> future needs might be. And the 1TB one is faster.

>>
>> Don't forget that energy (and hence data) has mass, so the 1TB drive
>> might be too heavy for Student's desk when it gets full. Would you pay
>> an extra $4 and take a chance of ruining your desk?
>>

>
> We just got all new desks at my school so I think it would be ok as they
> seem to be very strong. ;-)


Thanks - you made me laugh outloud.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)
 
J

John Aldred

Flightless Bird
Lewis wrote:

> In message <_eSdnUtqDdyPgCbRnZ2dnUVZ_hWdnZ2d@giganews.com>
> Student <student@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> If it is the case I would replace with another 320 gig western digital
>> blue as the cost is reasonable and I do not want waste more time with a
>> flaky disk.

>
> 1) where are you going to find a hard drive that small?


No problem, purchased a 250 gig Seagate last week from a high street store.
>
> 2) Why would you bother to buy and install a hard drive that small?
>
>

I run Win 7 in a 100 gig partition and only use about 30 percent of it.
If you have ever had to check a drive for errors and don't have 2 days to
spare, you may appreciate the merits of using a smaller drive.

--
John
 
J

Joe Morris

Flightless Bird
"Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote:

> Don't forget that energy (and hence data) has mass, so the 1TB drive
> might be too heavy for Student's desk when it gets full. Would you pay
> an extra $4 and take a chance of ruining your desk?


Easy enough to protect yourself from disk damage: just allocate a reasonable
fraction of the disk...something maybe 20-30% - to files that contain
nothing but binary zeros. The zeros, of course, have both the appearance
and function of consumer-grade flotation rings (aka "used innertubes") and
will thus counterbalance the significantly more weighty ones, which, of
course, have the appearance of an ingot of lead.

Don't allocate too many zeros, however; the disk might become too light and
float away.

....and you're right; there probably are people who claim to be IT experts
but would still believe this. Digital snipe hunt, anyone?

Joe (still feeling the effects of surgery last week...)
 
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