HD Failure

After upgrading from ME to XP Pro, I can no longer run a defrag. When I
complained to Microsoft, a tech said my hard drive was likely failing.
(Funny that I ran a defrag right before I installed XP and it worked fine.)
Anyway . . . . If I run chkdsk, and it detects nothing, can I be reasonably
confident my hard drive isn't failing? Thanks, Jeannine

Hard drive manufacturers post diagnostic software on their web sites. Go to
the appropriate site and start downlaoding.

"Jeannine" <jeannine@wfleague.org> wrote in message
news:eLmI4hW6FHA.1036@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> After upgrading from ME to XP Pro, I can no longer run a defrag. When I
> complained to Microsoft, a tech said my hard drive was likely failing.
> (Funny that I ran a defrag right before I installed XP and it worked
> fine.) Anyway . . . . If I run chkdsk, and it detects nothing, can I be
> reasonably confident my hard drive isn't failing? Thanks, Jeannine
>

Jeannine

You can be reasonably confident that you hard drive is full to the point
where it is unable to defrag.. that's any free space less than 15%.. not the
fault of XP, I hasten to add..

You really need to get a larger drive..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


"Jeannine" <jeannine@wfleague.org> wrote in message
news:eLmI4hW6FHA.1036@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> After upgrading from ME to XP Pro, I can no longer run a defrag. When I
> complained to Microsoft, a tech said my hard drive was likely failing.
> (Funny that I ran a defrag right before I installed XP and it worked
> fine.) Anyway . . . . If I run chkdsk, and it detects nothing, can I be
> reasonably confident my hard drive isn't failing? Thanks, Jeannine
>

I have a 40G HD. In Properties it says I'm using about 18G. That's more
than 50% free. Does that make sense?

Jeannine

I worked on the basis that an ME PC may not have a drive much larger than
10Gb.. ok, so yours has a 40gb.. did you install XP over a perfect working
example of ME, or did you upgrade in an attempt to overcome problems?..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


"Jeannine" <jeannine@wfleague.org> wrote in message
news:uh7L%23zW6FHA.3588@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>I have a 40G HD. In Properties it says I'm using about 18G. That's more
>than 50% free. Does that make sense?
>

I installed over a perfectly good working ME. (because there was certain
software I wanted to install that required XP).

"Jeannine" <jeannine@wfleague.org> wrote in message
news:uh7L%23zW6FHA.3588@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>I have a 40G HD. In Properties it says I'm using about 18G. That's more
>than 50% free. Does that make sense?


Jeannine:
First of all, please don't treat this newsgroup or similar ones as some sort
of "chatline" between yourself and the person(s) who have responded to your
query. For example, I realize that your post above is a direct response to
Mike Hall who commented that your inability to defragment your HD might be
due to the fact that your drive may be nearly filled with data to capacity.

In order for others to help you, you *must* give sufficient background
information about your problem and detail whatever actions you've taken to
solve the problem WHENEVER you post your comments/responses. ALWAYS include
sufficient info along these lines whenever you post your comments. As I
mentioned, don't think of this, or any other newsgroup, as some "chatline"
between two or three persons who follow the thread in some orderly &
systematic fashion so that you need not provide pertinent background info
concerning your problem. It's fine to summarize the situation; you need not
include every word of your previous postings or those of others who have
responded. But provide sufficient information so that ANYONE perusing this
thread at ANY point has enough background on the problem so that he or she
might assist you.

Forgive me for this "lecture" but I think you (and others) will profit from
this advice.

Anyway, here's your original query...
"Jeannine" <jeannine@wfleague.org> wrote in message
news:eLmI4hW6FHA.1036@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> After upgrading from ME to XP Pro, I can no longer run a defrag. When I
> complained to Microsoft, a tech said my hard drive was likely failing.
> (Funny that I ran a defrag right before I installed XP and it worked
> fine.) Anyway . . . . If I run chkdsk, and it detects nothing, can I be
> reasonably confident my hard drive isn't failing? Thanks, Jeannine"

1. When you say can "no longer run a defrag", could you provide additional
details about this, e.g., provide specific details as to how you invoke the
defragmenting process. Do you receive any error message(s)? What exactly
happens?

2. When you updated from your previous OS did the XP install go smoothly
without any untoward events?

3. Aside from this defragmenting problem, is the system functioning
properly? Does it boot without incident and do you encounter any problems
accessing programs, reading & writing to the drive or run into any other
problems which might signal a failing HD?

4. Did you run chkdsk? Any problems detected?

If you're still uncomfortable about the possibility of a failing HD, take
Jerry's advice and download the diagnostic utility from the manufacturer of
your HD. They're quite easy to use and it should put your mind at ease
assuming it finds no problems with your drive.
Anna

I guess I don't know how to use newsgroups. If I have a problem and someone
answers but has a question or needs clarification, I need to restate the
question, response and his question before I can respond? I had no idea
that this would be so complex. I have been using newsgroups for a very long
time. No one has mentioned this before.

Anna, how shall I respond to your questions? Can I just answer them or do I
need to restate the entire problem and your question. Can't you and others
see the question posed and the responses given along the way? Jeannine

Hi Jeannine,

Sorry I don't have an answer for you about your original posting, but I
can help with what Anna is suggesting.

A lot of people read just the last few posting in these threads to see
if a problem has been resolved. If there isn't a hint about the initial
problem there's not much chance of someone jumping in late with a
suggestion.

Notice I'm not one of those that doesn't quote the original message
either, but like you, I'm writing to a single person and not expecting
others to know what's going on.

---==X={}=X==---


Jim Self
AVIATION ANIMATION, the internet's largest depository.
http://avanimation.avsupport.com

Your only internet source for spiral staircase plans.
http://jself.com/stair/Stair.htm

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
Technical Counselor