hd521-3w error

[ooglafina]

Hey. I get this HD521-3W error during the long hard drive test. I have been having trouble staying in games (The Sims 2) without crashing and system restarts every five minutes also. It also gets the HD521-2W error in the short test. I reformatted the drive awhile ago but it didn't do any good. Diskcheck doesn't help either.

2008-02-21 12:52:54 EST

Test Name: Extended Self-Test
Device Name: Hard Drive - ST3200826AS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   *Event Type: Test Started
    Description: -
    Time: 2008-02-21 11:43:43 EST
    Engine Exit Code: ---

    Event Type: Error Message
    Description: The read element of the test failed.
    Time: 2008-02-21 12:13:30 EST
    Error Code: HD521-3W

    Event Type: Test Finished
    Description: Failed --> [see "IDE:0:0\\?\IDE#DiskST3200826AS_____________________________3.03____#5&8675952&0&0.0.0#{53f56307-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b}" below]
    Time: 2008-02-21 12:13:30 EST
    Engine Exit Code: 4

2008-02-21 12:59:25 EST

Test Name: Short Self-Test
Device Name: Hard Drive - ST3200826AS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   *Event Type: Test Started
    Description: -
    Time: 2008-02-21 12:56:50 EST
    Engine Exit Code: ---

    Event Type: Error Message
    Description: The read element of the test failed.
    Time: 2008-02-21 12:59:03 EST
    Error Code: HD521-2W

    Event Type: Test Finished
    Description: Failed --> [see "IDE:0:0\\?\IDE#DiskST3200826AS_____________________________3.03____#5&8675952&0&0.0.0#{53f56307-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b}" below]
    Time: 2008-02-21 12:59:03 EST
    Engine Exit Code: 4

[fwilson]

ooglafina,

The SMART tests are built-in hard drive tests. PC-Doctor launches these built-in hard drive tests and monitors their progress. If a test fails, it is an indicator that the drive has marked itself as bad.  I would back up your data as soon as possible and go shopping for a new hard disk. 

-Fred

[ooglafina]

I've already backed up my data, what I can of it anyway. I was ready to go get a hard drive tomorrow, but I thought I'd get a detailed opinion in case there was some simple thing that I could fix myself that I wasn't picking up on. I only have recovery discs. I have a Compaq Presario SR1750NX and the website claims that I can format a new drive with them. I printed off the instructions and I'm hoping that it works because I'll be more than broken hearted if I have to buy Windows XP. I paid for it with the blasted computer didn't I? I should be able to load it onto any hard drive I want.

[fwilson]

ooglafina,

Yes you have paid for XP with the computer.  The system should have a sticker on it with an OEM Key on it.  If you have any problems with it call HP and they will help you get it straightened out.

You can also install your old drive as a secondary HD to get any data you may have missed.

On the bright side fresh installs always run better.  Good luck.

-Fred

[ooglafina]

You're absolutely right. There is an OEM sticker. Thanks for telling me. If I hadn't been told I would have been sitting at the computer with a blank hard drive. The sticker is really small and on the bottom and I wouldn't have known where to find it.

[fwilson]

You're welcome, glad to help.