I'm getting a warning message at startup saying ill soon experience hard disk failure and then when running I get a loud ticking sound. What is this? Why is this happening? And how do I fix it. I would be ok with cleaning everything and setting it back to the default settings but I don't know how to. Can any one give me input on what top do to repair my hard disk or set back to default settings? I do not have any money so I do not need suggestions on a 'buy this' fix it method. PLEASE HELP

Jessie, March 2009

I can only re-iterate the previous answer. However if the laptop is currently working you can run disk diagnostics on the drive which could save your life. Use the windows supplied disk tools. Open my computer, right click on your drive and select properties, tools, and select 'check now' this will check the disk for errors. It will require a reboot as you cannot run it interactively. If your drive does finally give up and you don't have a backup then expensive data recovery will be your only option. Do it now before its too late!
Re-installing the OS from the original disks will return it to the default Windows but if your drive is dying it won't solve the problem.
John

hzplj9, July 2009

You may not like this answer.

Your hard disk is about to fail. It is equipped with a Predictive Failure unitily and is telling you so.

The ONLY fix is to buy a new one to replace it. There is no point saying you can't - that is the fix!

Additionally, you need to back up any important data NOW!

Having got a new hard disk, you need to reinstall Windows, any applications that you currently have and any personal data.

T, March 2009