hard drive 1 is not functioning normally

[manodivx]

everytime i leave my computer on for an extended time without using it it shuts off....i checked all the power schemes to make sure it was always on...anyway when i reboot after it shutts down i get a message saying hard drive 1 is functioning irregularly. please contact dell or your supplier...anyway the hd isnt from the original dell so what do i do to fix this.

[Trahald]

take it out. insert into waste basket. put out on monday for trash

;)

what brand is it? just about every manufacturer has a dos based utility to scan the hd. there is a possibility its dying ( i had a maxtor exhibit similar activity) since it was my main hd i had to shut down and restart. after a while it would go less and less time before shutting off. it failed the dos tester and i sent it back to maxtor (and the sent my a replacement about 10 gigs larger :D ) so id give testing it a shot

[manodivx]

how do i use the dos tester...and the hd is a few yrs old...will i still be replaced?

[auenf]

goto the download section of the hdd manuf. website and download their testing utility. the IBM program is called Drive Fitness Test (for example).

it will create a bootable floppy which you boot up on to run the tests.

Enf...

[Trahald]

.. with maxtor.. you just type the info printed on the hard drive (serial - model - etc) into a warranty checker page. if its within warrantly then itll tell you and you can proceed getting an RMA# to send it back with.. i assume the other manufacturers have soemthing similar. most cut back warranty time to one year.. but older drives are still covered under the old 3 year warranty. worth a shot

wewk

[theReal]

also check the drives power-connection. It might just be a loose cable or something.
And of course back up as quickly as possible all your important data. When a HD starts to make problems, it's usually not far away from total failure.