Solution to Disk Read Error Issue

Sometimes, disk read error happens unexpectedly. In this case, the problem occurred when the owner instantly pulled out the laptop battery when the unit hangs instead of pressing the power button safely for seconds. This is what we considers improper computer shutdown. The result is unpredictable.

The unit's model is Satellite C650 installed with Windows 8. He said it suddenly hangs when he's trying to watch videos and did anything else. I guess there was a software conflict. And trying to restart the unit wasn't able to solve it.

So, what I thought of as a remedy was to attach it to a desktop computer as slave. The one is a desktop with Windows 7 installed and the other with Windows XP on it. Using desktop with Windows 7, it could hardly detect the laptop's hard drive and open so long without the presence of the laptop hard disk.

While using desktop with Windows XP, although it opens so long, yet it was able to detect the laptop's hard drive and automatically checked the drive for system errors, removing and recovering necessary data. It took so long to fix some errors and recovers some spaces which lasted for 12 hours as files are unreadable. I can't figure out what going to happen while doing this. I feel the bad sectors are causing the disk reading slowly. It turns out that the drive has eight bad sectors based on the outcome of the system file check done by the desktop.

When the drive was finally detected, I was able to get the chance to copy some important files before formatting the partitions of the laptop hard disk. Then delete the partitions and attached it to laptop hoping it will able to detect normally. But, unluckily the same error appears.

So, I had to take it back again to where it was recognized. Format it again then make three partitions - making drive E, F and G so I could install OS where it may normally proceed. Then take it back again to laptop hoping it will work this time. Luckily, I was able to install window 7 on partition G which means the bad sector prevents the OS installation from E and F.

In summary, when disk read error occur try to take the hard drive to other computer attached as slave. If it automatically performs system check upon opening leave it until it was able to fix and recovers the drive. After the systems check (fixing errors and recovery) you may try to take it (hard drive) back to its CPU or Laptop and check whether it opens normally. If not, take as slave again in another PC. Under normal condition, if it is present in the windows explorer you can have the chance to copy some important files before deleting partitions. Then format again and create 2 to 3 partitions as the case may be, to ensure software installation in either one of them that will run smoothly. Then take it back to where it is taken and try to install OS onto any partition. If you succeed in partition G, we assume that bad sectors are within the E and F partition.

If the drive is not really detected, then replace the drive with new one.