MS error msg that hard drive is dying

[winchester73]

Since you have backed up your important files, let's try Seagate SeaTools for Windows and test the hard drive:  http://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/item/seatools-win-master/

SeaTools for Windows

SeaTools for Windows tests SATA, USB, 1394, ATA (PATA/IDE) and SCSI drives. It installs onto your system. SeaTools for Windows is completely data safe. If the drive passes SeaTools for Windows, your troubleshooting can move to other areas.

Visit the SeaTools for Windows download page at the above link, accept the license agreement, and follow the download and installation instructions listed below the agreement.

User Guide: http://www.seagate.com/files/www-content/support-content/downloads/seatools/en-us/seatools-for-windows-en-us.pdf

SeaTools will test your SMART-compliant disk drive for media defects, perform a read test and physical head test, and ensure the hard drive is functioning correctly. The test results will indicate Pass or Fail.

[SellieS]

Before I began your Seatools MSE found a large Trojan and with Chkdsk  I allowed it to deleted corrupt file records segments.  It worked quickly. There thousands. The Trojan is described below: I will start Sea tools now.

This threat is part of the Win32/Chroject malware family. This family of threats can use your PC to perform click fraud. They run in the background and use a significant amount of your PC power and network bandwidth. This can severely impact the performance of your PC, the speed of your Internet connection, and may lead to excess data usage charges from your Internet service provider.

[SellieS]

The results of the Sea Tools.

[winchester73]

With regards to the MSE warning ...

Looking over your latest log, there is no sign of anything unusual in AppData, and that tlafxog.dll wasn't there.  Any idea what website you went to that caused this infection?

Back to the hard drive ...

There is a tab on the left of SeaTools that says "Fail Info" ... can you post what is contained there please?

I have to be honest, I think this hard drive is on its last legs  :sad:

[SellieS]

I can give you what I have maybe not what you want.  It was an extremely hard task for me.  The uploaded results - snips (3) came out on top of each other. I also was prompted to do a chkdsk today and I did. It deleted more corrupt files so it said. Also, got a notice that Adobe cannot be opened.   Winchester, I can only believe this Trojan came from an email. I am vigilant about emails and block what is suspicious.    I have been in safe mode for awhile. When Corinne got rid of a Trojan I had email problems waiting for me. Comcast is the villain and I have Outlook and lost all those files.  Nothing is synced.

I would like to know if the Trojan still exists.  I probably should not be sending emails to people right? 

I realize the hard drive is in bad shape.  I don't expect miracles. When I restart computers  MegaTrends comes up with a lot of information and ends with bad hard drive.  I wish I knew how to save that screen to show you. 

OK, here come what I have.  It is three screens I captured after using Sea Tools. Those screens were hard to come be. I am doing this for you, Winchester.  I'm hoping there is something interesting to come out of this.   

[SellieS]

Here is the end.  I can run the tools again if you need me too.  Thanks
(I just saw the more attachments where I can browse again after I have given you 4...sigh.)

[winchester73]

I wish you had held off on the chkdsk for a bit   :undecided: ... I would have suggested you run the /r command rather than the more automated default version.  C'est la vie.

I'm afraid there isn't much to be done.  You said your files are backed up.  The next decision is whether you want to replace the hard drive or not.

[SellieS]

I am sorry.  I should have asked.  Is there anything I can do to give you a last look.

Did we get the Trojan?  Can I send email to friends without infecting them? 

No, nothing about this computer's life has been normal starting with Best Buy. The extra USB ports are shot. In spite of all this continued craziness,  reviews on this computer had it dying in the first year. I was caught off guard when BB did not have the computer I picked out.   

I would like your opinion on a good computer PC.  I only need a new operating system and a good track ball.  I don't want cheap.  If I could, I would buy a MAC.  That is not possible.  Most of my friends have them. Do you?  I bet you put your own together.   

Anyone in the DC area who you trust to install new Outlook, Microsoft 365 or regular and sync iPhone and Pad?   


In the past life, I had someone to build a computer for me.  Yes, I was the director of the night school and hired the computer IT people.  I paid them well and they are no longer in the area.  Nor do I work in an office where there is an IT guy or others learning like I used to. I started by writing code.  Now I don't understand half of the directions and feel stupid and annoying for not being able to follow directions.   

I will have to find an article on how terms have changed for someone like me. Since my last computer was built to last by a friend.  it worked for 13 years and there were fewer hackers, clowns, idiots who like sending out Trojans.

Let me know your thoughts on brands and good equipment.  Also, can I email folks.  Oh, and when my hard drive dies, will my iPad and phone work?

Thanks for being so available. Diana

[SellieS]

Winchester, It's a holiday so I expect you have other things on your mind..

I'm afraid to use my dying PC unless you tell we got the Trojan.......I have no idea how this has ended with it.....any insight.  I left a post asking your opinion on new PCs.....any ideas.

Thanks......

[winchester73]

Is there anything I can do to give you a last look.

No, and no real reason to go any further with diagnostics.  I'm confident your drive is failing.  The next step is up to you (replace it, replace the computer, etc).  The "right decision" for you is kind of hard for any of us to make.

Did we get the Trojan?  Can I send email to friends without infecting them? 

Did you have MSE remove what it found?  Your screenshot was taken before you went any further ... you said earlier "Security Essentials has a pop up saying detected threats are being cleaned.  No action needed."   If you let MSE finish the job, the trojan is quarantined.

It wouldn't do any harm to run MSE manually and do a quick double check to see if it finds anything. There are also plenty of good/free online antivirus scanners that can give a second opinion, ESET comes to mind.

If you infected any friends, the damage has already been done.  If they got that same email you think was the culprit, they may have infected themselves without any "help" from you.

I would like your opinion on a good computer PC.  I only need a new operating system and a good track ball.  I don't want cheap.  If I could, I would buy a MAC.  That is not possible.  Most of my friends have them. Do you?  I bet you put your own together.   

I don't have a Mac, I use Windows.  My current laptop has 8.1 installed, but no touchscreen as that isn't the "way I work".  I have had 3 "put your own together" desktops, they all worked very well for many years.  I'd have no issues buying a desktop from a local store, I'd also have no issues buying a desktop system from Dell, Staples, Best Buy, et al.  I've never built a laptop, wouldn't be interested in doing so.  I use Lenovo ThinkPads myself, but there are a lot of other good Lenovo models (my significant other has an IdeaPad), and I'm sure others here can chime in with what brands they "like".  I've always been a fan of the round red TrackPoint stick, couldn't go back to a mouse or a touchpad.

You could also go to the MS Store for computers without added extras ...

Anyone in the DC area who you trust to install new Outlook, Microsoft 365 or regular and sync iPhone and Pad?   

Sorry, the only person I know in DC is a crooked politician, I doubt you want him to look at your computer.  It's bad enough that folks trust him with their wallets  :cool:

Oh, and when my hard drive dies, will my iPad and phone work?

Well, if everything is all synched, your phone and tablet will continue to work with everything current and updated.  It would be like your refrigerator ceasing to work but your toaster and microwave continue to work.  Obviously when your hard drive dies, you won't be able to transfer things from that computer to your other devices.

Thanks for being so available. Diana

That's the purpose of this support forum  :D

[winchester73]

Winchester, It's a holiday so I expect you have other things on your mind..

Yes, indeed, spent a nice few days with friends and family.  I hope your holiday was nice  :smiley:

I'm afraid to use my dying PC unless you tell we got the Trojan.......I have no idea how this has ended with it.....any insight.  I left a post asking your opinion on new PCs.....any ideas.

I think I answered your questions in the post prior to this one.  As for how it "ended", hardware fails.  It can happen under warranty, it can happen the day after your warranty expires, it may never happen.  There is no way to predict "when", however things like hard drives have built-in diagnostics to prepare you for the impending problem so you have time to act before things go totally pear-shaped.  Anything with moving parts can fail.  Ever replace a car transmission, tires, or brakes?

[SellieS]

Winchester tell me more about your red track ball.  I found an Anesso.  Name may be slightly off. I had a Kensington which is a really big ball and I had to palm and loved it and they quit making them for PCs.  I,  too, loved it.

Computer still working well. It died but it got better.

Thanks.....

[Corrine]

Winchester73 was referring to the Lenovo Thinkpad trackball.  See the little red knob on the laptop:



Personally, for ergonomic reasons, I love my Evoluent Vertical Mouse, http://evoluent.com/.

[winchester73]

Computer still working well. It died but it got better.

What do you mean "it got better"?

As Corrine said, I was referring to the pointing stick on the keyboard of the ThinkPad.

(Note to Corrine ... that photo looks like my old T61 keyboard  :D )

[SellieS]

I like your mouse Corinne and will get it. 
Winchester, my computer is running well.  It had slowed down and now is working fine.  I'm surprised so I give daily updates.i have rebooted and micro trend says hard drive is bad. 

Life goes on... 

Thanks...