Boot sector viruses

[jon76]

Is it possible to scan for boot sector viruses from boot? if so, does anyone know of any good programs for it? just trying to rule it out as I can't get windows 7 to install, I even tried to install xp with no success

 

[johnb35]

If you dban or killdisk the drive, it will be totally blank. What install issues are you having?

 

[jon76]

If you dban or killdisk the drive, it will be totally blank. What install issues are you having?

I was hoping not to wipe the drive as it's someone else's laptop, and it has windows on a backup partition, not sure if it's still in warranty, but last time they sent it off, it took them 3 weeks for them to replace the power cable, which wasn't broken, then ages more to replace the hard drive, but here we are again, with the same problem! when trying to install windows 7, I did notice it said cannot install on partition, it said the disk was going to fail soon, yet when I did a component test it suggested to me at boot, it found no problems

 

[johnb35]

If the system is saying the hard drive is bad or failing then it most likely is. What brand of hard drive is it?

 

[jon76]

It says in the boot menu WDC WD3200BPVT GT50N, here's a link I have found to some damning reviews about it's reliability, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136566 she has probably still only had the laptop less than a year, and this is the second time.

 

[johnb35]

I would download Western Digital's windows diagnostic program and test the drive. Attach it to a different computer that can boot into windows.

I looked at the reviews on that drive from newegg and they don't look that good.

 

[jon76]

I would download Western Digital's windows diagnostic program and test the drive. Attach it to a different computer that can boot into windows.

I looked at the reviews on that drive from newegg and they don't look that good.

I would like to do that, but if it is in warranty, that would probably void it wouldn't it? I will find out tomorrow if it is still in warranty, I've told them I can replace the hard drive for £15 and upwards, obviously that would pose another problem though, as windows is still on this one

 

[jon76]

Sorry, I just noticed I used bad language on the forum, first time I have done that, didn't even think when I typed it, I shall remove it now

 

[johnb35]

Its not gonna void your warranty by checking the drive for errors, its done all the time.

 

[jon76]

I would download Western Digital's windows diagnostic program and test the drive. Attach it to a different computer that can boot into windows.

I looked at the reviews on that drive from newegg and they don't look that good.

Just put the drive into my main computer and tested with the software you suggested, it said fail on the hard drive, and pass on my hard drive, I tried to run the test myself, and it failed to complete the test within about 10 seconds

 

[jon76]

Solved, I went on the look out for a new hard drive, the owner of the laptop didn't want to pay more than £20, which I knew was a tall order, so I went into a computer shop, the hard drives were £40 and upwards new, I explained the situation, and he went out the back, and offered me a 160gb Fujitsu drive for £15, not sure how reliable they are, but the best I could do with the budget, the laptop I am currently on is a Fujitsu lifebook, and I had to change that after it failed, so I did panic a little when he said Fujitsu, are they reliable?

 

[johnb35]

No, not really.