How to Fix Bad Sectors on a Hard Disk

By eHow Computers Editor

Computer problems? Maybe the hard drive has bad sectors Computer problems? Maybe the hard drive has bad sectors

Rate: (80 Ratings)

The minute your computer's hard disk starts to act flaky, make sure you have an up-to-date backup. Then you can do some simple diagnostics and repairs. Both Windows and Mac OS come with built-in hard-disk utility software that scans your hard disk for errors and attempts to fix them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

For Windows

Step1
Double-click on My Computer to open the My Computer window.
Step2
Select the disk that you want to diagnose and repair.
Step3
Choose Properties from the File menu. You should see the Properties window for the drive that you selected.
Step4
Choose the Tools tab.
Step5
Click the Check Now button under Error Checking Status.
Step6
Depending on your version of Windows, choose either "Thorough" or "Scan for and Attempt Recovery of Bad Sectors."
Step7
Click on Start.

Tips & Warnings

  • Third-party hard-disk utilities do a more thorough job of diagnosis and repair than the software that comes with Windows or Mac OS, but they work much better if you install them before you have a problem.
  • Third-party hard-disk utilities do a more thorough job of diagnosis and repair than the software that comes with Windows or Mac OS, but they work much better if you install them before you have a problem.

Comments

| View All Comments
Flag This Comment

on 3/6/2008 uhh I just wanted to post for the Mac users out there this information is completely FALSE. Repair permissions has nothing to do with the drive, it has to do with permissions of files. FFS check your information before posting it. If you need the correct information on resolving this for a Mac it can be found here

http://www.macriot.com/article.php/20050430042907180

perla said

Flag This Comment

on 6/29/2007 hey can you help me

myrella said

Flag This Comment

on 7/22/2007 I know some software to repair bad sectors on a hard disk ,I found it at http://www.fix-hdd-bad-sectors.com Good luck.

View All

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article:  How to Fix Bad Sectors on a Hard Disk

eHow Computers Editor

eHow Computers Editor

Category: Computers

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads