Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Problem with my computer

Sep 6, 2017 7:05PM PDT

I have my Toshiba laptop for almost 3 years now.
2 weeks ago, I reinstalled Windows 10 for a fresh restart.
Yesterday, I downloaded Malwarebytes to scan my computer, It found some errors and viruses that I never thought of.
After correcting and putting the virus in quarantine, I was asked to restart my computer which I did.
The computer was abnormally slow, after the blue windows 10 screen, it took about 15-20 minutes before the welcome screen, Then 15 more minutes before the login screen, after I put my password it took at least 30-45 minutes to load the start screen. I couldn't open anything, when I pressed the home button the computer froze.
I then tried to reinstall windows again. Unfortunately it says "Windows cannot be installed on this disk, the disk may fail soon"
I tried a system restore, it failed saying that something about windows/app
I tried chkdsk C: /f /r /x which failed after taking the whole night.
I don't know what to do at this point I have important data on my hard drive, and I don't want to buy a new hard drive either.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
That is typical of a failing HDD.
Sep 6, 2017 7:11PM PDT

Try a new HDD and see if that clears it up. I read you don't want a new HDD so maybe it's the end for this laptop. You could run Linux off some USB memory stick or CD/DVD but most folk relent on replacing the failing HDD. It's pretty cheap.

But some ask if a failing HDD can be repaired. My answer is not any longer. The cost to repair the HDD is north of a thousand bucks.

- Collapse -
I've seen this on the web.
Sep 6, 2017 7:31PM PDT

Some application may changed your hard drive to a dynamic drive. It has not any hardware problem and this problem can be solved.

- Collapse -
Solved.
Sep 6, 2017 8:53PM PDT

Thanks but could supply the link to how you solved it?

- Collapse -
Buying new hard drive
Sep 7, 2017 12:35PM PDT

Well, I tried formatting and reinstalling Windows that didn't work.
I guess my only hope is to buy a new hard drive. I've been using ubuntu until then.
Do you know a reliable Site where I can purchase one ? Something not too expensive.

- Collapse -
It's a big world.
Sep 7, 2017 12:39PM PDT