I built my computer just a little over 6 months ago but I am using the same hard drive for the last 5 years. I just want to make sure its the hard drive and nothing else. I continue to have disk read error occurred whenever i try booting my computer up. Now, I can install windows xp, format it, install it and quickly press any key to continue. but If i wait any longer, disk read occured will pop up. Now, i can, once i install windows up, I can use the computer except I cannot turn it off. once I turn it off and try to turn it on, disk read error will pop up and ill have to install windows once more because, it will tell me i ahve to reformat it. is this the hard drive or could it be something else? Now i did, chkdsk /r, a few times and the last time, it stayed at 25% and said one or more unrepairable sectors. Please help.

I had something like this happen before. I don't know what I did to fix it. I ran a standalone XP CD with a program(Can't remember what it's called), scanned the drive, it said some sectors were physically destroyed, restarted the computer, and now it works. Sometimes things happen randomly. Will Free Computer Help: http://www.william234.co.nr/

Download and run a drive fitness test designed for your brand of hard drive. Most all manufacturer's have one. Google for it after you check the brand. When you re-install Windows do you then install the motherboard chipset drivers? Is the hard drive larger than 120GB?

My hard drive is not larger than 120gb. After I install windows, before, I did install the motherboard software only after i installed windows sp1. it asks this before i install the motherboard software. but since i am afraid to turn it off, I install windows and do not install the motherboard software because it will ask to turn it off. I have installed windows a few times already including formating with the same result. but then again, I can install it once more and use the pc unless i turn it off. Btw, I am trying to install windows oncemore, and it asked me to format. Its taking an unusual amount of time just to get past 0%

You do realize this is the Win2000 forum and you are using WinXP? Run the drive fitness test.

Why do you keep trying to install Windows over and over? Have you run chkdsk? "So won’t you give this man his wings What a shame To have to beg you to see We’re not all the same What a shame" - Shinedown