[ubuntu-uk] Diagnosing Faulty HDD

[Jon Reynolds]

On Tue, November 29, 2011 09:46, Simon Greenwood wrote:

> I've got to agree that it sounds like software level corruption,
> especially
> the problem with logging in. However, there is a command line programme
> called ntfsfix which is essentially fdsk for Windows disks which should at
> least report errors. You could also use smartctl to look at the disk at
> the hardware level.

Is there any risk involved in running these? Risk as in loosing all data?
I should back up the disk, but if it is a software problem, I am not sure
what to back up. Personal files I guess. I know he has some big packages
on there like World of Warcraft amongst other things.

Think I was reckoning on if it was a faulty disk being able to clone it
onto a new disk. But this is pointless if it is software problem.

I also imagine, this will be tricky to diagnose, seeing as I only have the
disk?

On Tue, November 29, 2011 09:55, Steve Fisher wrote:

>If your netbook has a CD drive try this:
>http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
>
>Can put it on a flash drive, but you will need an external CD drive or
>access to a laptop/desktop.
>
>Sounds to me like it is more likely to be virus related (windows opening by
>themselves...................)
>
>Also download an antivirus rescue live USB/CD e.g.
>http://www.avg.com/gb-en/avg-rescue-cd-download

As above, without the actual computer this HDD was in, will I be able to
run any of these on the drive to test for viruses? And if I do find a
virus, can I fix it with just the HDD and my Linux computer (I do have a
Win7 partition)?

Thanks for the answers!

-- 
Thanks and regards,

Jon Reynolds (j0nr)
----------------------------
http://www.jcrdevelopments.com