Found this on HP's site: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&dlc=en&docname=bph05701&lc=en&product=12455#N181

It said that the error could be a false positive and that there's nothing wrong w/ the drive, and a driver update might resolve the hard drive failure message. I wasn't able to find any software since I don't know the exact model of your computer. To see what's available, you'll have to type that in (top right of the page) and "Hard disk failure is imminent" in the second box (w/o the quotes). There's also instruction on running hard drive diagnostics.

Now, while it's still working, you should backup all the important files.

p.s. Yes, newegg is an online store.

Thanks Rabbit01! I appreciate that, don't know how you guys do all this, I mean, do you actually stay on this site scanning it for questions you can fix, or do you have a type of the old "AOL, You've got mail! " alarms? Anyway I do appreciate this, and will try to locate the info,,, is it the info in "my computer+ system info? as for the backup,,I cannot backup anything cause I have no writer.

SMART data includes a set of data counts indicating how often different disk errors occur. Each disk error attribute has both a "count" and "threshold".
> An error count greater then 1 but less then the threshold means a disk warning
> An error count equal or greater then the error threshold means the disk is failing

Google once published an interesting paper of the correlation between SMART data and hard drive failures. If i recall correctly they found
> 33% of drives crash without any type warning (such as no prior SMART data errors occuring)
> Once a drive has at least one SMART error, the probability of that drive ultimately failing in the future is very high
> For more info, see THIS post

In my opinion (IMO), better to be safe then sorry and err on the side of caution: it's better to replace the drive after any SMART error occurs

Run CrystalDiskInfo. It's an easy tool which shows each drive's SMART data and a visual status of the drive's health.

As for backups, best to run backups ASAP to save any important data. There are some alternatives:
> Buy an external hard drive. I suggest one with its own AC power supply. A 1TB external disk will cost about $15O tho you may need less then 1TB and buy something smaller
> There are free online storage sites that allow you to save 2 - 5 GB of your files for free. just need open an account (I use DropBox private folders). These are best if you aren't concerned about any of your data sitting on a server on the internet (probably not good if that includes very private data, income tax returns, etc.)
> There's also a service Carbonite. Never used it but here's my understanding about it
> $59/year (14 day trial)
> Their software handles the automated backup of all personal files/folders on the computer
> They also use strong (128bit) encryption - which means you're the only one who knows the encryption key so your data is protected on their servers

So backup all your data ASAP one way or another then you can at least deal with fixing/replacing your computer at least knowing your data is safe

G'luck!

I check the site once or twice a day and try to answer what I can.

As for make/model of your computer, there should be a label on the computer case. At least that's the case w/ the Dell laptops & desktops here at work. Or if you right click on My Computer and select properties, it might be listed there also.

There's also Mozy. Never used it but remember reading about it on my IT dept.'s site. 2GB free. Then it goes to $6/mo per computer for 50 GB.

Hello again "lookinaround", well I am still operating in critical condition. I have done a few things though and would like ur view. I went into my shop and dug through all my old computors and dis-assembled a few of the DVD/CD writers "removed them" I then shut down my unit and removed the 740b and replaced it with the old one, turned on unit and let it find the driver, I then went to, "Create HP recovery disc" and loaded up and began copying. it took two DVD's, after the first disc virified, and finished, the burner quit working and would not copy the second disc. So I removed that unit, and replaced it with another and after the computer installing it's driver, it would read but not write,,, I then took the last unit,,Not the 740b,,apart and though I did not see any dust, I cleaned the laser and hooked it up open to the patch cords, inserted a disk and it would read. Then shuting down the unit I removed the writer and put it back together and reinstalled it, turned on the computer and copied the second disc. So I have both recover disc's,,,,,,,,I think. How would I know till I need them? and what do think I may have done to fix this problem,,,cleaning? I live in Midland,Texas, a very dry and dusty place"oil Field". If it was dust maybe all I need to do is clean the others?
Now having said that,, I have the crystal page loaded/ NOT downloaded yet, what if anything willl this do to help me with my HD? is there something out there that will?
I understand that this site is about tech help/learning,,, but at this immediate moment I need to save this thing first,,then I can take the time to understand and learn what went wrong and how to prevent it in the future,,without it I cannot reach this site. I did try to find a HD this morning while in town, but all that was open at the time was wal-mart and they had nothing but discs and thumb thingys. I most likely could not have afforded it anyway, I am disabled and have limited resources, which is why I I bought the first computer, to try an learn something to generate my own income again,,that was 5-6 yrs ago and , well I am not stupid,,just not sharp enough for this time in my life. Thanks to you all for the great help and assistance.

Crystal Disk Info will give you the status of your hard drive, whether it is in good condition or in the process of failing. You mentioned something about "hard disk failure is imminent" before. Is that still the case?

Hi miloman

Wow. What a saga! (Am sorry to hear). Rabbit and others might be able to help / will know more about your hardware issues then I (i'm more a software kinda guy)

But on that topic and about saving your file/folders for cheap.. As chance has it, i've been trying to help a local community center with public computers. I've been looking at inexpensive alternatives for online storage (both free and $$) for the public users

The free online storage sites are great as they are FREE! but that also means you get limited features. Most important, the free versions don't encrypt your data. Which is still OK for most stuff but you might be more careful of very personal stuff (like anything with your social security #, etc)

I started to put together a presentation about creating an ADrive account and use it for online storage. It's not complete but gets you through setup. Note that once the account is created there's an Upload file/folder button on their main screen. I still haven't tried it myself but suspect the upload speeds will be slowww.. so it also may take time

I converted my still "work in progress" about Powerpoint presentation about the ADrive site PDF you can download HERE

740b "lookinaround

Well I am still kickin, But I have been busy dwnldg and copying circuits while I still can.
"sonic" says they may not work all systems,,,but I figure anything in this comput tech life is iffy at best,,so as Been my experience. Still gonna need a HD and found one at bestbuy "PATA" 320 WD, about $60. only thing stopping me is, is it too gonna be a waste, cause I have no idea when I buy it,, how to format or re-install,,dahh! I don't know that my copy of BK-up disc's are what I need or how to install,,if they work.
The ones I finally copied",, I didn't know you had written or I would have in kind responded,,no forward notice in my Netscape box. Thanx again Ed/ miloman

Here's my 2cents worth...

I'm not sure which external HD you saw at Best Buy but my own experience/recommendation for external backup drives:
> Buy an external desktop HD that comes with its own AC cord and not a portable drive that only has a USB connection
> Portable drives rely on USB ports for power (one more source of failures when they can't get enough power)
> And portable drives are, well uhhhh, portable! The bad thing being they tend to get moved around lots and take more a beating then a desktop HD that simply sits on your desk for backups!

I see Best Buy also has some USB 2.0 desktop externals (for example this 500GB HERE) for only $50 bucks. It's older USB 2.0 standard (vs. 3.0) but it'll meet your need (all my externals are USB 2.0 and is still fine for now)

Also.. keep copying stuff by hand for now till you have them all safely copied but when you're done and have an external also checkout this FREE backup tool EASUS ToDo Backup. Use it to do all your file/folder backups easily

You can also use to create EASUs ToDo to create a complete backup image of your entire disk (but you have time to do all that when you have time to "play" with it and learn the tool)