install windows on the D drive then go in and format the C drive...

 

No, that's not really advisable.

6gb *should* be enough free space - what you COULD do is resize the partitions to give you plenty of space on C. Here is a free app that can do that for you:

http://download.cnet.com/EaseUS-Part...-10863346.html

You could even completely delete D and resize C to take up the whole drive. That's what I'd do. See if this helps.

Something else to do - use CCleaner (previously mentioned) to clean up the drive and fix the registry. Then open a command prompt and type:

chkdsk c: /f

Say yes to the prompts and reboot. Then defragment the C drive.

EDIT: What brand is the existing drive? I'm thinking you probably should download the manufacturer's diagnostic software and see for yourself if it's failing or not. Both Seagate and Western Digital have diagnostics that will run in Windows to avoid having to make a bootdisk.

 

I installed AVG a couple weeks ago and ran their disk checker and it said no problems were found, I also defraged it after it checked the disk. How do I find out the manufacturer of the factory disk? I think recovering it to factory would fix the problem, I just can't get it to work.

Edit: I ran chkdsk c: /f and it tells me "The tye of the file system is NTFS. Cannot lock current drive. Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)

 

^^^

Open the case and look at it...........

Or - look in device manager, what's the model number it shows?

 

Sorry, rebooted and ran checkdisk, no problems found. Model number of disk is ST380020A. Google says seagate..

Edit: glc how would you feel about remote assistance?

 

Yep, that's Seagate. You can download SeaTools for Windows and run tests, I'd advise it. A full test will take a couple hours, do it overnight.

I assume you are running XP? Remote assistance may not be possible if you are using a router without assigning your system a static IP and forwarding port 3389. There are alternatives - let's see what we can find first. What are you using for an Internet connection?

 

Downloaded Seatools, and everytime I try to open it it brings up an error report and says it need to close. I've tried redownloading it and repairing it but it didn't help. I'm running xp. Internet connection is cable modem and wireless router. The desktop is plugged directly into the router.

Edit: Uninstalled and downloaded Seatools again. Same problem.

 

Okay - this sounds to me like 1 of 2 things - you have a hardware issue - such as bad ram or something like that, or Windows is hopelessly corrupted and it does need a reload.

Does your laptop have CD burning software such as Nero or Roxio, that can create a CD from an .ISO file? If so, go to www.memtest.org and download memtest86+ - get the CD .iso version and burn the CD, boot the desktop with it and run about 3 passes. If you get any errors, you have bad ram - if you have more than one stick, test them 1 at a time.

You can do the same thing with Seatools for DOS, that will also be a bootable .iso.

 

Which iso version? zip or qz?

Edit: Nevermind, got it. How do I run passes on it? What are sticks?

 

Just boot with it and let it run - watch the pass counter. 1 pass should take about 20 minutes. It will keep running till you stop it.

Sticks = modules.

 

Pass says 49%, should I stop it?

Edit: So it's been running for 27 minutes and it says 52% on the pass. No errors found yet. She is making me take her to dinner, so I'll be gone for a while. I'm just gonna let it run while I'm gone and see what it says when I get back. Hopefully you'll still be around later. Thanks for your help so far, if your not here later tonight, I'll try again tomorrow.

 

When the pass is done, then it will start over again at 0% and the pass counter will say 1 instead of 0. Sounds like an hour per pass. Run 3 passes to make sure.

That's kinda slow - thought of something else - your CPU heatsink and fan may be clogged with dust - blow it all out with an air compressor or even canned air. When an Intel processor overheats, it slows itself down.

 

2 hours 20 minutes in and it's finally starting pass #3. No errors found yet.

 

OK - then the ram is good. Open it up and check your heatsink, blow the dust out. Then run Seatools for DOS.

I'll check back in mid-morning.

EDIT: I hope you aren't getting the wrong impression - I'm not trying to bust your chops, I'm trying to help you troubleshoot it systematically. If the drive tests bad, then buy the new (not the refurb) WD you found, the price is right. If the drive tests good, we can proceed from there to try to get Windows reloaded.

 

I am only grateful for your help, I don't have a clue how to fix this thing and you are helping me immensely. I don't think you have been busting my chops, and if you have, I deserve it. And if that is your process of helping me get this fixed, then so be it. I took it apart last night and took it out to the garage and blew everything out. I am currently running seatools tests right now, I'll let you know how it turns out.

Edit: Short test passed, Long test in progress.

Edit: "Your Seatools test code: ACEOCD52.

Please save this code if you are planning a warranty exchange. Seagate product warranty status depends on how the product is sold. If your hard drive is a component in an OEM system, then the OEM covers the drive warranty.
Unfortunately, your Seagate hard drive has failed an important diagnostic test, possibly caused by problem sectors which are difficult to read.Now is a good time to make sure you have a current backup of your important data.

Seagate recommends that you consider repairing the problem sectors. Seatools for DOS may be able to save you from the inconvenience and down time of exchanging the drive. For more information on this subject see our help topic 'Bad Sector Found'."

I am going to leave seatools up on DOS until I hear back from you about it.

Edit: So I repaired whatever the error was with seatools and ran the long test again and now it shows no errors. What next?