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    Virus - Reformat Fail

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by aznarcher, Aug 30, 2009.

  1. aznarcher

    aznarcher Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey all,

    I recently got a virus on my laptop. Whenever I turn on my machine and log onto my account, my computer automatically restarts. Luckily, I was able to boot up in safe mode and retrieve all of my files. I then tried to reformat my hard drive with a clean install. Because I have a Dell XPS m1530, I needed to initially install Dell Media Direct. When I tried to : "1. Allocate all available space to the C:/ partition" I get the following error:

    ***ERROR***
    DellPart detected the following condition at [time] on [date].
    SMART threshhold exceeded on ATA device
    [DOIT.BAT] DELLPART - Error preparing hard disk partitioning

    I then decided to try and install windows vista without reinstalling dell media direct. When the actual installation process began, the progress percentage stayed at 0%. The progress had now improved even when I had left my computer running for about an hour.

    So now I am stuck. Is there anything else I can do before sending it into a specialist? Is there a way to clear the hard drive and then try and reformat?? I always thought reformatting a hard drive would be my last chance to restoring a computer but now that it has failed, is there anything else??

    I sincerely thank you for even reading this entire post. Thanks in advance if you're able to contribute any suggestions.
     
    aznarcher, Aug 30, 2009
    #1
  2. jin07

    jin07 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    It sounds like you need to replace your HD. SMART is a system used to monitor HD health to try and predict when a HD will fail. Since the indicator is going off when you attempt a reinstalling, that probably means your HD is close to dying.
     
    jin07, Aug 30, 2009
    #2
  3. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    You can try deleting all of the partitions, then creating two partitions (one for the OS, one for data).
     
    kegobeer, Aug 30, 2009
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  4. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    And how would that help him? He already has 2 partitions, 1 recovery partition and 1 OS+Data partition.
     
    jackluo923, Aug 30, 2009
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  5. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Actually, he has three partitions. Media direct is a separate partition. At this point, with a SMART error (which can be an issue when there is a potential drive problem and Media Direct as well, which must be installed prior to an operating system) it's possible that removing all partitions, then creating two new partitions and formatting them during the install, can potentially fix this issue.
     
    kegobeer, Aug 30, 2009
    #5
  6. aznarcher

    aznarcher Notebook Enthusiast

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    Do you think you can guide me through the process of removing all partitions? I only know how to reformat :/
     
    aznarcher, Sep 2, 2009
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  7. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Read this:

    http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/delete_partition_using_vista_dvd.htm

    It explains how to delete partitions. After you delete the partitions, you'll have to create at least one partition, format it, and install the OS on it. I always recommend creating at least two partitions - one for the OS and one for data. In the event of OS failure, your important documents are safe on the other partition.
     
    kegobeer, Sep 2, 2009
    #7
  8. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    I must agree with jin07 above - get another drive!

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Sep 3, 2009
    #8