Hi mstein66,
Once a hard drive starts to go bad then it usually best to put it in the "recycle box" and fit a new one. They are not expensive and generally its not worth trying a multitude of different tools, in the hope that one of them may effect a temporary improvement.
If you want to use Puppy then here's my "canned" words on how to go ahead: The Linux Puppy Live distro is a very useful tool, that is in constant use in the workshop, but for a home user it has 3 main uses:
In explanation, Linux Puppy Live distro is a self contained operating system that runs in memory from a CD…..or even a thumb drive if you are crafty (That's what the "Live" bit means), so it doesn't need Windows at all, IE no need for a working copy of Windows XP, Vista 7, or any other version of Windows. It is in effect an alternative to Windows and also has the advantage of being free (quite legally). Because Windows is fitted to the majority of PC's, folks are often unaware that there are different operating systems available….one of the advantages of Linux is that it is issued free under a general licence unlike some other operating systems (like Windows or Mac's) that are charged for by their developers.
1 If a machine won’t boot, then we need to know first off, if its a hardware problem. or an operating system (Windows) problem…..if it is hardware then there's no need for us to spend time trying to alter Windows settings……. so first we try to boot from the Linux Live Puppy disc (altering the boot priority in the BIOS if necessary to facilitate this) if the machine works perfectly under Linux then we can be reasonably sure that most of the hardware the hardware is OK and so we start looking at the Windows operating system to try and identify the problem so that we can fix it.
2 If a machine won't boot into Windows even in safe mode, It can be a very worrying time.
For Example
When the machine won't boot up, no matter what you do and you realise that all your important stuff, (music, photos, work, address books and contact lists, emails, downloaded programs and all your Microsoft Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, data bases PowerPoint presentations and all the rest perhaps including the only draft of the book you have spent the last 3 years researching and the writing of your PhD thesis) have all disappeared………… then we can try to boot into Live Puppy, mount the hard drive (Live Puppy does this automatically) and copy off the data to safe external media (its surprising that despite everything that has been written about the need for back ups, so few folks actually have an up to date accurate and reproducible back up of all their important stuff kept safe on removable media…… When copying off stuff using Puppy, there are only 2 things to remember:
A. Make sure your external hard drive (the location where you will save the stuff you copy off) is plugged in and powered up (if necessary) before booting into Puppy. This way it will be easy for Puppy to "see" your external hard drive.
B. You will be able to recognise both your Windows hard drive (sda1) and your External hard drive by the "size" that Puppy reports. Some folks find it easier to copy things off by opening a window for your hard drive and also your external hard drive so you can see them both then just drag and drop the files between them.
(NOTE)
only drag and drop One Folder at a time. (if you try and copy more than one folder at a time you will give the poor Puppy indigestion! As soon as you have copied one folder across sucessfully its OK to copy the next one and so on.
Linux Puppy backup
Back up when you can't boot into Windows
A.) Please take the opportunity now to bring your back up/archive/copy of all your important stuff 100% up to date, check that it's accurate, reproducible and held securely on removable media (not your hard drive)……
the idea here is to ensure that all your important data, files, spreadsheets, work, music, emails, log in details, user names, address book, drivers, letters, invoices, videos etc….in fact everything that is important to you (stuff that you would not like to permanently lose) is kept safe on external media. I recommend the use of a USB external hard drive for this.
Whilst you are doing this, collect together all your application installation discs (or downloaded installation executables) serial numbers, product licence keys (including the one for Windows itself and the Microsoft Windows installation disc and or Manufacturer's Restore and Driver/utilities discs.
If you have made a "disc image" using Paragon, Acronis, Ghost or one of the free disc imaging alternatives then keep this image safe also on removable media, verify it for correctness and reproducibility and ensure you have made a bootable CD/DVD for use in the event that Windows will not start.
Now, here's the detailed instructions on how to do it:
B.) Download Linux Puppy from here:
http://puppylinux.org/main/Overview%20and%20Getting%20Started.htmIts a download of only about 100MB, so a broadband connection is advisable for the download… Puppy is an alternative operating system….. it does not need Windows to run, and the licence to use it is free of charge and comes included automatically. It is different in its interface from Windows, but sufficiently intuitive for most folks to use it successfully without problem.
C.) Burn the iso (that you have downloaded) to CD ROM as an "image"…it must be as an image, a copy will not work!……..Imgburn is good for this, available from here:
http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=downloadD.) Switch on your "original" computer and Set Bios to Boot from CD as first priority…on most Dells it's F2 to enter the Bios (set up) otherwise try F12, Esc or Del.NOTE you will need to press the appropriate key (to enter the Bios) immediately after power on.
Your hard drive should be next in priority followed by USB/network if the settings provide these options. Remember to save your altered settings in the Bios before exiting
E.) With your external back up media plugged in to a USB port I.E. External USB hard drive, flash drive etc and the Linux Puppy CD ROM inserted into the CD drive, and Ethernet cable connected for Internet(don't try and use wireless) close down your machine and:
F.) Boot from the CD, you may get a message to "press any key to continue booting from CD" so allow this, Now follow the on-screen Linux Puppy prompts (remember don't install it) let it run in memory, it will be quite happy doing so, and will allow you access to your Hard drive so you can copy off to your external media anything you need. You will soon get used to Puppy and you'll find that you will be able to use the Internet and do most things that you want to do. However as you need to back up your files, I suggest you concentrate on copying off your important stuff first.
QUOTE
Will they be Linux files or still Windows when they arrive on the external HD?
They will be your files, exactly as they were on the computer's original internal hard drive, so you don't have to do anything (apart from scan them with multiple virus scanners until you are completely sure that they are clear of infection) . You can use them normally when you have reinstalled the operating system on your computer. They will not be "Linux" files. just your own files.
3 Puppy is a useful tool to keep for the future and allow you to check out the rest of your hardware(it will load all the drivers you need and if it works Ok then you know the rest of your hardware (excluding your hard drive) is OK and also is a super way of becoming familiar with a different operating system…….without making any changes to the hard drive..that might affect Windows…its a way of learning and experimenting and finding out information in a no risk, or at least low risk way.
Puppy will operate purely within RAM so does not even need your hard drive to be present or working!
There's lots of other things, but hopefully, the above will give you the idea… if Puppy runs OK then you will know the computer is worth repairing with a new hard drive.
Regards
paws
