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| Thread ID: 47585 | 2004-07-30 18:35:00 | diagnostic programs | Taly (4598) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 256763 | 2004-07-30 18:35:00 | Hi there! Any suggestions for free diagnostic programs? My maine problem at the moment is HDD, 2GB in Pent-S PC with WIN98 SE. Thanks |
Taly (4598) | ||
| 256764 | 2004-07-30 23:00:00 | Hi Taly Do you suspect your HDD is failing? Most manufacturers have diagnostic tools that you can use to check the health of your hard drive. You will need to know the brand of hard drive that you have. This program Everest (www.lavalys.com) is a System Information program and can tell you quite a bit of information about your hardware and software. Once you have identified your HDD brand, go to the manufacturer's website and look for the tools under support. Post back if you have trouble locating this information. Have you tried using Windows inbuilt HDD checker, scandisk? |
Jen C (20) | ||
| 256765 | 2004-07-31 03:35:00 | Hi Ien! Used scan disk but apart of few corrections in registry there were no problems found. Also approached manufacturer of the HDD. They suggested to use generic diagnostic software first. My problem started when I tried to install second HDD as a slave. It did not work, so I removed it. But after that started to get " disk fail"(20) message. I have a feeling that it is software issue. Before reformatting it and clean installing Win 98 I would like to apply diagnostic program which are free for download. |
Taly (4598) | ||
| 256766 | 2004-07-31 04:37:00 | > My problem started when I tried to install second HDD > as a slave. It did not work, so I removed it. But > after that started to get " disk fail"(20) message. > I have a feeling that it is software issue. That error message can also be caused by loose or fautly IDE cables, incorrectly set jumpers on the HDD or incorrect BIOS settings. Have you double checked all these? Look at all cables and make sure they are firmly in place at both ends of the cable. On your hard drive you should have a sticker indicating the jumper positions, what do you have the HDD set to at the moment? If there is no sticker, go to the HDD manufacturers website for the guide. Is the BIOS set to Auto for the Primary Master HDD? Don't forget to make sure you are well grounded when touching the interior of your case to prevent static discharge. I don't know off hand a generic third party HDD diagnostic tool. It is strange the HDD manufacturer doesn't have one or could not recommend one for you. What brand of HDD do you have? |
Jen C (20) | ||
| 256767 | 2004-07-31 21:52:00 | Hi Jen! Solved the problem. Reinstalled Win using Startup floppy and CD. Have done it before, but OS was unstable or did not help. This time it said that not enough space on HDD and suggested to install simplified version. Now it is ok, stable and fast. But the error message still there. And I have to press F1 to procede. My guess is that one of the problems was lack of memory on HD. That's why I tried to add HDD in the first place. Thanks for interest. |
Taly (4598) | ||
| 256768 | 2004-07-31 23:44:00 | > Hi Jen! Solved the problem. Reinstalled Win using > Startup floppy and CD. Have done it before, but OS > was unstable or did not help. This time it said that > not enough space on HDD and suggested to install > simplified version. It sounds like to me that you might of installed a second copy of Win98 besides the original copy instead of overwriting it. Right-click on your C drive icon and see how much free space you have left now. You have a 2 Gig HDD, that is plently enough for a standard Win98 installation, so if you got a message about lack of space ... > Now it is ok, stable and fast. > But the error message still there. And I have to > press F1 to procede. Well if you are still getting the "disk fail (20) message" I wouldn't call that solving the problem. Did you actually check the items I mentioned in my post previously? :) > My guess is that one of the problems was lack of > memory on HD. That's why I tried to add HDD in the > first place. You would not have a problem with lack of "memory" on the HDD. The only memory it has is the cache for when it is writing data to the disk and this is built into the HDD, you can not add or change this amount. Did you actually mean a lack of free drive space on the HDD? If you have all your data backed up, why not remove the 2 gig drive, put in the newer bigger drive you initially tried to add, and make sure it is set as primary master and recognised by the BIOS. Then install a fresh Win98 onto it. This way you get more space and if your current HDD with the error 20 message did persist after checking cables, jumpers, BIOS etc, then it could indicate a failing drive and it is probably best you get your data off it now. Let us know how you get on. :) |
Jen C (20) | ||
| 256769 | 2004-08-01 20:54:00 | Hi Jen . Bios recognise primary master . HDD in autodetect is in LBA mode . The problem is also that my 2GB HDD is divided in two 1GBs . Windows on primary C volume take 400MB, files and programs 400MB . Free 200MB . On volume D I have 380MB free . If I combine free memory in one disk, will be 500MB and may be enough . The memory needed mainly for data when using Photoshop for scratch disk . Is it what is also called cache? Tried to delete partition for D drive, but sys asks for volume label, while there is non . When I partitioned at first did not put a label . So can't make one 2GB volume since OS refuses to delete . What can be done? Can replace 2GB HDD by 6gig HDD, but at first trying to fix the old one . Data is backed up . Thanks Taly |
Taly (4598) | ||
| 256770 | 2004-08-02 04:03:00 | It sounds to me like the BIOS is still looking for the slave HDD you tried to install. Go into the BIOS and redetect the HDD's so it knows you only have one installed again. | CYaBro (73) | ||
| 256771 | 2004-08-02 05:08:00 | Hi, CYaBro!!! It has done it. Great. Lots of thanks. Taly |
Taly (4598) | ||
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