Reallocated event count warning

[fairbairn1]

Hi - I've looked through similar posts but I think my situation is still a bit different than others. Upgraded to Windows 10 and after a few months, the drive usage was constantly at 100%, even after stopping BITS and other processes. Finally, it just stopped responding.
I tried installing a different OS and after a few minutes, I got a BSOD, telling me to check the HDD.
I ran chkdsk, chkdsk /f, chkdsk /r, and three different SMART tests (Crystal Disk, HDDScan, and a third one I can't remember the name of). The drive passed everything except the Reallocation Event Count on the HDDScan test only. It passed the same test on the other two SMART scans. I will say I ran this test by plugging the HDD in to an external case and plugging up to another machine.
My question is - does that one failure on HDDScan (and the corresponding issues with the HDD) mean that it's truly failing and simply buying a new HDD would work? Or is there something else I should be trying?
Thanks all!

 

[popatim]

How many reallocations were there?

 

[fairbairn1]

How many reallocations were there?

There were 31 reallocations.

 

[popatim]

Backup this drive as soon as you can.
Learn how your backup software restore process works.
Watch that number and the number of uncorrectable errors.
- Reallocated sectors are sectors that failed and the drive was able to recover the data and move it to a new sector
- Uncorrectables are failed sectors that the drive was not able to recover the data
- Pending Sector count is the number of sectors that the drive has flagged for testing but hasn't tested yet.

31 is alot IMO. I would be replacing it already but its ok just to be ready to do so (ie- recent backup readily available) and then do so if the numbers increases. Everytime you add new software or update, run a new backup so that when you do replace the drive you have an easy restore process.

BTW - important files should always have a backup copy (or two) stored on other devices.

 

[RolandJS]

+1 PopaTim! And I add: either do a one-pass clone or do a one-pass sector by sector full image of this HD onto an equal or very close sized HD. Usb or dvd boot Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper, EaseUS ToDo, or anything similar.

 

[fairbairn1]

Thanks all. Luckily, I backup my files regularly. And I ended up buying a new WD 500Gb drive from Amazon this weekend because it was on sale. Got the ol' laptop back up and running and am good to go.
Thanks for the feedback and thoughts - greatly appreciated!