Windows stuck in CHKDSK loop. Is my HDD really damaged?

[honda_guy]

Hi everybody! I have an Acer Aspire 5741G. I wanted to give Ubuntu 14.04 LTS a try (by installing it and not just using the "Try Ubuntu without installing" option) and also keep my Windows x64(mostly for gaming). I reinstalled Windows first, having two other partitions which i kept my files on. After that I installed Ubuntu 14.04 using the option "Install Ubuntu alongside Windows". The dual boot worked fine for a few days until Ubuntu stopped working and was stuck in a boot loop. At the moment I didn't have time to get more information about the problem since Windows was still working fine. Few days later Windows stopped working exactly the same way, stuck in CHKDSK loop, or stuck in Startup Recovery loop. I took the decision of reinstalling the OS again, this time only Windows and leaving Ubuntu aside. In HDSentinel my HDD health dropped from 99% to 55% with 50GB unallocated space that could not be allocated to create a new partition. I thought that since the HDD is 4 years old it could have been physically damaged. The second day Windows stopped working, again stuck in CHKDSK loop. I backed up all my data when I had the chance so that's not an issue. How can I know for sure that my HDD is damaged. Right now I don't want to buy a new one if I can do something to keep the old drive for a few more months at least.

 

[honda_guy]

I'm checking it as we speak with DRevitalize from Hiren, so far it checked 60GB of 320 and "repaired" 2 bad sectors or so it says but it takes very long. I also checked with a tool from WD, that said the HDD has 64 bad sectors, without repairing any of them. I will download an application from the WD's site but for that I guess I have to install Windows again. I hope this will work. Thanks!

 

[fzabkar]

Examine HD Sentinel's SMART report. Look for reallocated, pending, or uncorrectable sectors.

 

[honda_guy]

You should be able to download a WD tool from there website that does not require windows.
Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS

I think i saw it on Hiren's boot CD. For now I have to wait 16 more hours for the current operation to finish.

 

[honda_guy]

Examine HD Sentinel's SMART report. Look for reallocated, pending, or uncorrectable sectors.

HDS doesn't say anything about reallocated, pending, or uncorrectable sectors. It just says that I have a number (can't remember exactly how many) of bad sectors that "can be remmaped for later realocation" or something like that. Thank you all for your answers. I'll come back with more details after DRevitalize finishes. Some people say that DR SHOULD repair the surface of the HDD although I don't see how it is possible to repair physical damage through software...