Okay, so I don't know yet if I should be concerned. Last night something weird happened, and since this computer just so happens to be exactly one year old as of YESTERDAY, I'll leave you to wonder if HP builds computers to start a self-destruct sequence after exactly one year...especially if the customer ignores repeated emails asking are you reeeaally sure you don't want to purchase an extended warranty. ( I think I'm joking about that, hmm)

So, last night I started noticing a faint whine sound, and at first I wasn't sure it was coming from my computer. It reminded me of when you can hear a mosquito in the vicinity but can't see it. I leaned my head right up close to the tower, and sure enough, it was coming from there, but it was still pretty quiet so I wasn't overly concerned, just thought it was odd because this pc is usually pretty quiet.

I surfed for a little bit longer and became kind of annoyed with the sound, so I thought I'll just reboot and see if it goes away. When I shut down Firefox, the sound immediately got louder, like a tiny jet airplane powering up for takeoff. It took forever to quit desktop apps and finally made it to the shutdown window, but there it sat. When I couldn't take the whirring jet in my pc tower any longer (this was after several minutes on the shutdown screen), I made the decision to pull the plug.

I pulled the side off the tower out of curiosity, then restarted it.

On restart it stayed on the progress bar screen much longer than usual, and just when I thought it was going to start, it went on to the CHKDSK screen. Went through 3 stages. Apparently, it made some repairs and when it was done the computer started. Immediately after, I get a popup saying:

cmd.exe- corrupt Disk

The file system structure on the disk is corrupt and unusable. Please run the Chkdsk utility on the Volume C:.

So, of course, I tried to do that, but it said it couldn't be run while Windows was running, or something to that effect, and asked if I wanted to schedule it to run on restart, which I chose to do.

Restart...goes through the more familiar 5 stages this time. Finally boots up and everything seems normal now, except for the fact that avedesk won't run. I've got two shortcut icons missing that won't load even if I try to reload saved avedesk theme. Not a huge deal, but I haven't had time yet to investigate and see if other apps don't work.

So, should I be worried? Is this the beginning of the end? Or am I just being melodramatic? Btw, this pc is an HP m8200n running Vista Home Prem 32-bit.

Thanks for the reply, Rick :) Can you tell me specifically what I should be looking for on Newegg? Should I just be looking to get a new HDD?

Isn't that what I posted? Or is there something more than m8200n? lol Here is a link to my pc on the HP site HP m8200n

It's not a laptop, and I've got a personal media drive bay that I suppose I could fill. Backups aren't too much of a problem. I still haven't gotten the extra external drive that I wanted, but I've got one external with backups, cd's, dvd's as well as some backed up online. I've become a paranoid person and back every little thing up almost immediately, so, not too worried there. I'm just wondering if I can reasonably expect this thing to go kaput in the near future, and what to do, not only to prepare for that, but also, what might I need to purchase and have handy for when it happens.

It's OEM, so am I correct in assuming that should this drive give up the ghost, I'll need not just a new HDD, but also a full version Vista dvd?

Thanks again, Rick :)

This is what the model # is in System Information: GN551AA-ABA m8200n

I've been on Newegg and am confusing myself. Can anyone suggest a good HDD compatible with my system?

Is this enough info? If not, how would I get more detailed info? Manufacturer says 'Standard'...lol, makes me feel REAL special. Another question...why does it say 'Interface Type: IDE' when it's SATA? I think my illiteracy might be showing again ;) When I think IDE, I think big honkin' ribbon cables, and I don't have those.

Model: ST350063 0AS SCSI Disk Device
Description: Disk drive
InterfaceType: IDE
Partitions: 2
SCSIBus: 0
SCSILogicalUnit: 0
SCSIPort: 2
SCSITargetId: 0
SectorsPerTrack: 63
Size: 466 GB
Status: OK

lol, I was just looking at that second one on newegg. My worry with sg is everything I read says they run hot. That must be true...it would explain why speedfan shows flames on mine :-) Could that be part of my problem?

Do I hafta HAFTA go with seagate. I spent most of my time earlier today looking at WD. I'd hate to go with something that is so similar, it just might have similar issues.

Yet one more question :) Why do most of the drives say in the name -OEM, but some say -Retail? What is the difference?

Lisa,
1. HP Cases run hot inside because they use heat sinks instead of many fans.
2. Seagate HDs just run hot because of design. (Known for their reliability)
>>>I use fans blowing over HDS, so the heat doesn't matter to me BUT (Could Effect You Because of HP Case Design).
3. You can use a Western Digital HD; just be sure the (Specs Match) like the Cache Size, etc., etc. above.
4. (Retail) is like you buy in a fancy box at Best Best with cables and a fold out on how to plugin cables. (Expensive)
5. (OEM) Original Equipment Manufacturer is like you buy in a foam container with nothing else. (Inexpensive)
BOTH ARE THE SAME PRODUCT WITH THE SAME SPECS.
Storage is really cheap right now so if you have the money, get plenty.
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦ :)

Lisa,
One always needs extra cables, fans and other parts :) :)
I also keep extra Power Supplies, HDs, Video Cards, Wi-FI Cards, DSL modems, tower cases, etc., etc.... Junk room use to be full of spare parts.(lol) (lol) (lol)
24/7/365 before I retired.
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦ :)

Geez, ya sound like a store, Rick! LOL ;)

Something new :(

I know I was using well over 100GB on this computer...just glanced over at Sam config and my eyes popped wide..says I'm using 48GB. Any idea why that would happen? Suppose I'll leave it on running a virus or spyware scan.

I guess I'm not shopping fast enough, and at this rate, this thing will be dead before I can order something online and I'll have to make do with whatever's in the store.

Sometimes I hate technology. (Sorry to sound like Eeyore)