Toshiba 500 GB HDD Input/Output Read Error
 

Hello Everyone,

I have a Toshiba Satellite C850 i0013 Laptop, the main specifications are as under : -

Processor Intel Core i3-3110M
Chipset Model Intel HM76
RAM 6GB(DDR3) : 1600Mhz
HDD 500GB (5400 rpm)

http://www.infibeam.com/Computers_Ac...686-cat-z.html

I was having Windows 7 installed on my 500 GB HDD along with Ubuntu (Wubi install). But, somehow Windows 7 stopped to start and the screen would not move ahead of the cursor blinking after the initial BIOS screen. So, I formatted the HDD using Gparted and removed Windows 7 completely along with Ubuntu as neither was bootable. But, now my HDD is listed as unallocated under Gparted as well it lists that there is no partition table. So, while I try to create one I get an Input/Output read error. I can't install Windows 7 onto the HDD as Windows DVD gets stuck before the selection of the HDD partition for installation comes into play as well same is the case while I try to install Ubuntu. So, please guide me as to what should be done in order to save my HDD.

Regards,
Joojo.

Sounds like the HDD may be dieing, in which case there is nothing that can be done to "save" it, only your data if you still have some on there.

Since you don't have anything installed you should boot the UBCD and run one of the manufacturers SMART long tests on it:
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

Or if you can't burn it, most live CDs should have smartctl installed, and you can run 'smartctl -t long /dev/sda'.
Then you wait for it to finish and check the attributes with 'smartctl -a /dev/sda'.

Thanks a lot for your reply .....

I did run the SMART test and as suggested by others on another forum it seems that my HDD has gone bad ...
so i have ordered a new one ....