Slow hard drive

[PresidentSwag]

Hey guys,

A little while ago I had a 2TB Western Digital Hard-drive, then one day all of a sudden my computer started running really slow. I tried everything to fix it (Update drivers, reformat) but it was still really slow. It eventually got to a point that my computer would no longer detect the hard drive, so I bought another one. This fixed the issue and my computer is now running at top speed.

The problem is I now need to add another hard drive to my computer and I was wondering if there is any way to fix the WD one that I was having issues with.

Anyone have an idea on how to bring back its speed?

Thanks

 

[fzabkar]

If the drive cannot be detected, then there isn't much hope for it. Otherwise, if it does show up, then zero-fill it and hope that this will remap any bad sectors. Then try a comprehensive SMART diagnostic. Look for reallocated, pending, or uncorrectable sectors.

HD Sentinel (DOS / Windows / Linux):
http://www.hdsentinel.com/

HDDScan for Windows:
http://hddscan.com/

See this article for SMART info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M.A.R.T.

 

[maestro0428]

^ Excellent advice.

 

[PresidentSwag]

Can I also do these tests by plugging this internal HDD into a external adapter for convinence? I found on the external the HDD will show, but it takes about 15 minutes.

 

[fzabkar]

Yes, you should be able to. However, some utilities have difficulty communicating with certain USB-SATA bridges.

BTW, when you say that the external HDD will "show", are you sure that it is the HDD that is showing and not the USB-SATA bridge IC in the adapter? Does HD Sentinel report the model of the HDD?

 

[PresidentSwag]

I'm pretty sure it was the hard drive itself. But I will use the programs you stated above and try to fix it. Thanks for your help.

 

[PresidentSwag]

Best answer selected by PresidentSwag.